By Mark Carruthers
Whickham manager Lee Haldane has admitted there is some pride in being the Northern League's sole survivor in this season's FA Vase – but stressed it means nothing unless they continue their run this weekend.
Although they received a large slice of luck when third round opponents Irlam were removed from the competition after a 1-0 win over Haldane's side, Whickham's run to the last 16 has been full of notable highs and some eye-catching displays.
Impressive wins against Campion, Birtley Town, Bury, Ashton Town and Blyth Town coupled with their reinstatement following Irlam's transgression have all enabled them to set up a fifth round visit to Northern Counties East League Premier Division leaders Emley this weekend.
Reflecting on what has gone into reaching the last 16 and what lies ahead, Haldane stressed that all that matters to him is ensuring Whickham take place in Monday's quarter-final draw, no matter how they get there.
He told The NLP: “I'm not saying it's the pinnacle being the league's last team in this year's Vase because the pinnacle is progressing further and further in the competition.
“I'm not sure there are many that would have picked us to be in that position from our league but the message we've drilled into the lads is that we haven't come this far just to let it go. We can't have what ifs and buts when we come off that pitch on Saturday. We have beaten some good sides so far to get this far and all that mattered was getting through.
“We now need to make sure we do all of the right things to get through this weekend because being in Monday's draw is all that matters.”
Haldane has not had to go far to do his homework on Saturday's opponents after Emley saw off Whickham's Northern League Division One rivals Guisborough Town and Heaton Stannington earlier in the competition.
The Lang Jacks boss has been in contact with the management of the latter of those clubs and revealed he has been doing his own analysis of the challenges that will lie in wait for his players as they look to reach the last eight of the Vase for the first time in 40 years.
He said: “I'm good friends with Dean (Nicholson, Heaton Stannington manager) and Andy (McBride, assistant manager) and I have quite a bit on them. We've watched a lot of video on them (Emley) but we haven't had a chance to get to watch them in person because of our fixture schedule.
“We have managed to put together bits and bobs on them and we are fully prepared on what we have to do to get into the next round.”
