We preview Nelson's first round F.A. Carlsberg Vase tie away to First Division Squires Gate at School Road on Saturday afternoon.
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So, what can I tell you? Well, Gate are in the first round proper as a result of a narrow 2-1 home win against Northern League side Whickham, a team who are languishing at the bottom of Division Two - a division of the same pyramid standing as Nelson. This had followed a 5-1 first qualifying round romp, again at home, against Chadderton.
Our opponents are currently in mid-table in their second season in the First Division, after being promoted two years ago in place of runaway champions Stand Athletic. Their best run in the Vase was three seasons ago, when they went out in the third round after a 3-0 defeat at home to former winners St. Helens Town.
Their home match this time around against Nelson continues a remarkable sequence for the Blackpool club in terms of the draw. Out of the fifteen draws they have been involved in in this competition, they have received a home tie on no less than thirteen occasions!
Gate of course played Nelson in a pre-season friendly at Victoria Park, and went away with a rather comfortable 3-1 success, although we all know you can't read too much into those sort of games. And after notching up our sixth consecutive victory in midweek, hopes are high for a good result.
Ties involving North West Counties sides:
Alsager v Silsden
Blackpool Mechanics v Sheffield
Colne v Washington Nissan
Crook v Ramsbottom United
Marconi v Congleton Town
Nantwich Town v Tipton Town
Norton United v Nuneaton Griff
Squires Gate v Nelson
St. Helens Town v Willington
Stone Dominoes v Ellistown
Trafford v Cheadle Town
Warrington Town v Esh Winning
Woodley Sports v Hallam
Worsborough Bridge MW v Bacup Borough
