TADCASTER ALBION boss Paul Marshall wants his team to win the FA Vase.

The Brewers chief takes his side to Winsford United in the competition's first round urging his Northern Counties East League premier division table-topping side to "embrace" the opportunity and try and make history with a Wembley win.

The premier cup competition for teams playing below step four in the league pyramid, Marshall has set his sights on picking up the ultimate prize - and emulating recent winners Sholing, Dunston UTS, Spennymoor Town and Whitley Bay.

"It's a competition I want to win." Marshall declared. "I think we have got a strong enough squad to win the Vase. I am quite hopeful. If you get through the early rounds, you have got a chance.

"It is those early rounds that catch you out. You have to win nine games and we have won nine on the bounce this season so why can't we go and do it? This is the best squad of players I have had. It is our best chance.

"I am really quite optimistic about it. The league is the priority. The Vase is the second priority. You have got to have some luck, and some home draws, and we start with an away game.

"But if you look at the likes of Staveley and Brighouse. They have got through to the quarter-finals and the semi-finals so there is no reason why we can't."

Standing in the way of of Marshall's ambitions are Cheshire-based Winsford, who are mid-table in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

"I went to watch them and it was horrible conditions so it was hard to judge how good they were," he said of his scouting trip. "You don't get many chances a season in cup competitions.

"You have to embrace them and try and make it through."

Marshall can welcome back Andy Milne from injury as competition for places gets ever strong er in his squad. "He will put pressure on the back four who will have to be on their guard and perform or he will be ready to take their place."

Cup kings Selby Town hunt another big scalp when they host Seaham Red Star in the Vase first round.

The Robins, yet to be conquered in knockout competitions, produced a stunning display on Tuesday night to knock Conference North side Guiseley out of the West Riding County Cup 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

It was the latest in a string of successes for the Flaxley Road outfit, who have been more ordinary in the Northern Counties East League first season, and manager Dave Ricardo is hoping his men can start to show some consistency in all their matches.

Northern League stalwarts Seaham, who have only lost twice all season, will be wary of a Selby team that have consistently punched above their weight in cup clashes.

Louth, Stockport Sports, Ossett Albion, Bacup & Rossendale Borough and now Guiseley have all been seen off by Ricardo's men in their various knockout games.

"I just need to tell the lads it's a cup game every Saturday when we are in the league," Ricardo joked. "Guiseley had three or four first teamers in and it was a good scrap.

"We fully deserved it. Arran Reid made two good saves and I thought we could have had two or three ourselves. Seaham are a good side and they will work hard and look to play the right way.

"They have to come to us, though, and they will have to earn the win. I think we have enough in the locker to beat any side. We had 13 players missing for last Saturday's game and Andy Jackson, who was unavailable in midweek, is out again.

"Jack Binns is also 50/50 with a back injury but we still have a strong squad. We've got a 100 per cent record in the cup competitions and I can't put my finger on why that is.

"The lads like playing at home and we should have a great chance."