JAMES Webster is hoping history repeats itself when he aims for more FA Vase glory tomorrow.

The Colne player-chairman returns to Morpeth Town, where he won in the second round of the Vase with Clitheroe during the 1999-2000 season.

But Webster probably knows more about tomorrow's opponents than the side he helped knock out 2-1 four years ago, the season before Clitheroe reached the semi-finals.

The bulk of the current Morpeth side is made up of players from the Whitley Bay squad that lifted the trophy in 2002, the year they saw off Colne in the second qualifying round.

"We know they'll be a decent side," said Webster. "I remember when we played them with Clitheroe, they were a typical Geordie team, so we're expecting a tough, physical game.

"We've had people up there this week. It's not the biggest of pitches and it looks quite heavy so I don't think it will be the prettiest of games.

"But since Nigel Coates took over we've added a bit more steel to the side and a we're a lot harder to beat now.

"We proved that in the last round up at Hallam when we were down to 10 men in extra time."

And Colne are facing a similar crisis of numbers tomorrow as Coates only has a squad of 15 fit players to pick from.

Skipper Scott Gizon, Ian Simpson and Lee Colridge are both suspended, Graham Whittaker and Danny Potts are injured, while Bernard Morley is cup-tied.

But with a high finish to gain promotion from North West Counties Division Two the priority, Coates isn't panicking about tomorrow's squad shortage.

He said: "The league is the main priority so I suppose it's good that the lads are suspended for a cup game and will be back next week.

"But we are still positive of going up there and winning but it's going to be a bit of a struggle."

Despite being a former Vase winner himself with the all-conquering Colne Dynamoes of 1988, Coates doesn't feel the competition holds the same magic as it did 15 years ago.

"It wouldn't be so bad if the final was still played somewhere like Wembley," he said. "But Upton Park isn't a major venue on the same scale.

"I suppose it's all about winning the thing rather than where it's played at."

The cash injection of a third round victory would also be useful to Colne, who will collect £1,200 if they progress at Northern League Morpeth, taking their overall prize money to £3,200.