Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon won’t be able to choose his team until just before kick off in their fifth round FA Vase tie at Camberley this afternoon.

Aycliffe, who have never played at this stage of the competition before, have had to make hurried preparations for the tie, as they only beat Marske in the last round last Saturday.

“Our preparations haven’t been as good as we would have liked them to be,” he said.

“Some players couldn’t travel down with us on Friday afternoon because they were unable to get the time off work at such short notice, and so they’re travelling down Saturday morning – at least I hope so! The other lads have done well to get time off.

“From a club point of view, it’s great to be involved in the fifth round, because it’s never happened to the club before. We’ll be aiming to give a good account of ourselves.

“We know that they had a scout at our game last Saturday and they know a little bit about us. We didn’t play well last Saturday, and one or two of our players were below their best – but I’m sure they won’t be today.

“Personally, I relish these situations, and I’m sure most of the players will also. For example, at West Auckland, we had long distance trips against St Andrews and Bournemouth which we came through quite well. I love the camaraderie that a long distance away game brings.”

Defender Alex Kitchen is suspended having been sent off against Atherton, while striker John Campbell is ineligible.

Surrey side Camberley are fourth in the Combined Counties League, and have lost twice in 12 games at their home, Krooner Park, this season.

Dunston UTS, winners four years ago, set off Friday afternoon for their away tie at Ashford United, and will be missing Steve Bowey and Matty Fisher, who are both cuptied.

Ashford are currently second in the Combined Counties League, and have lost only once at home in thirteen league games this season. They look upon this game as the biggest in their short history, having been formed when Ashford Town went into administration six years ago.

Manager Billy Irwin watched Ashford in action last Saturday, and said; “If we perform like we can, then we can cause them plenty of problems.” Dunston also won away in the last round at Coleshill a fortnight ago.

Sunderland RCA, who have never got this far in the competition before, are at home to Bristol Manor Farm.

Manager Marty Swales said; “This is the biggest game in the club’s history so far, and we’ve done really well to get this far.

“Now, we must make our home advantage count. But we mustn’t underestimate them, they’re a useful team.”

Former Darlington forward Liam Hatch is out because of a calf injury and another striker, James Armstrong, has a hamstring problem.

Former Hartlepool striker Colin Larkin, and another striker, Michael Charlton who scored a terrific winner in the last round, are both expected to pass late fitness tests. Reece Noble, Andrew Bell and Joe Hughes will all return to the squad.

Manor Farm play in the Western League, and in the last round won at Moneyfield, who had three players sent off. They are currently top of their league, having lost just three times this season.

Morpeth are at home to North Shields in their delayed all ENL fourth round tie, and manager Nick Gray will be without defender Chris Reid, who played for Whitley Bay earlier in the competition.

Shields include new midfielder Lee Mason signed from Whitby, and possibly Adam Forster who has recovered from injury. Brad Brooking will miss the tie because he is cuptied.

The winners will be away to Berkhamsted.