NELSON have proved a real goal machine this season - and striker Jonathan Irvine hoping his scoring boots will take them past the first stage of the FA Vase.

The Blues, who have found the back of the net 19 times in their six matches so far this season, are in action at North East side Norton and Stockton Ancients in the first qualifying round of the competition tomorrow.

For the past five years they have struggled to get past the first stage - but Irvine is hoping that it's Nelson's year.

"For the past few seasons we have been hammered in the Vase, I think it was 4-1 last year and 6-0 the year before so we don't want any repeats," said Irvine.

"It would be nice to get a little run together in the cup, it is something different and I think it must be our turn!"

Irvine, whose highest tally for the season is 29 goals, has so far scored four goals in the four matches he has started after being away for the start of the season.

And he would be more than happy if he scores four goals tomorrow to get his side through to the second qualifying round - as it would mean he has notched up 100 goals in the four season's he has been at Victoria Park.

"I have scored 96 so far, I've been adding them up, so to get 100 as soon as possible is my aim," said Irvine, who is the son of former Claret Willie.

"That would be great."

The way the NWCL Division Two side are going it doesn't look like it will be a problem - although there is a battle for the front spots.

"Bailes (Manager John Bailey) has signed a few forwards this summer so there is five competing for two places. That really puts the pressure on.

"But the competition for places has helped me. After four seasons here, I am still having to prove I deserve my place."

The five strikers are Irvine, last season's 20-goal top scorer Kiko Rodriguez, summer signings Andy Bannister and Scott Gilchrist and Nigel Coates, who can boast a FA Vase win on his CV.

Coates was a member of the Colne Dynamoes side who beat Emley 1-0 at Wembley in 1988.

And boss Bailey also enjoyed his Wembley experience. He was then in Colne's second string but went a long for the trip.

"You get the sense how much the FA Vase means when you go to Wembley and watch the game," said the manager.

"I had the full treatment - I spent the weekend there, watched the game and stayed in a hotel. It was a great experience.

"We have always suffered in the early rounds recently but if we could get a run going, it would be good for the club and the supporters."

Tomorrow's opposition are a bit of an unknown quantity.

"To be honest we don't know much about the opposition except that they are in the Northern League and lost a match the other Saturday," said Bailey.

"But as long as we keep playing like we can, to come back with a draw will be a good result - but it would be even better if we could sneak a win!"

But Bailey won't include himself in the team. The gaffer made a brief comeback at the start of this season after suffering from back trouble last season - but the team have coped without him.

"I played against Stand which we won 1-0 and then got injured and in our three games since, when I didn't play, we have scored 15 goals. Perhaps that is the answer!" NELSON have proved a real goal machine this season - and striker Jonathan Irvine is hoping his scoring boots will take them past the first stage of the FA Vase.

The Blues, who have found the back of the net 19 times in their first six matches this season, are in action at North East side Norton and Stockton Ancients in the first qualifying round of the competition tomorrow.

For the past five years they have struggled to get past the first stage - but Irvine is hoping that it's Nelson's year.

"For the past few seasons we have been hammered in the Vase, I think it was 4-1 last year and 6-0 the year before so we don't want any repeats," said Irvine.

"It would be nice to get a little run together in the cup, it is something different and I think it must be our turn!"

Irvine, whose highest tally for a season is 29 goals, has scored four in the four matches he has started this season.

And he would be more than happy if he scores four tomorrow - as it would mean he has notched up 100 goals in the four seasons he has been at Victoria Park.

"I have scored 96 so far, I've been adding them up, so to get 100 as soon as possible is my aim," said Irvine, who is the son of former Claret Willie.

The way the NWCL Division Two side are going it doesn't look like it will be a problem - although there is a battle for the front spots.

"Bailes (Manager John Bailey) has signed a few forwards this summer so there are five competing for two places. That really puts the pressure on.

"But the competition for places has helped me. After four seasons here, I am still having to prove I deserve my place."

The five strikers are Irvine, last season's 20-goal top scorer Kiko Rodriguez, summer signings Andy Bannister and Scott Gilchrist and Nigel Coates, who can boast a FA Vase win on his CV.

Coates was a member of the Colne Dynamoes side who beat Emley 1-0 at Wembley in 1988.

And boss Bailey also enjoyed his Wembley experience. He was then in Colne's second string and went along for the trip.

"You get the sense how much the FA Vase means when you go to Wembley and watch the game," said the manager.

"I had the full treatment - I spent the weekend there, watched the game and stayed in a hotel. It was a great experience."

Tomorrow's opposition are a bit of an unknown quantity.

"To be honest we don't know much about the opposition except that they are in the Northern League and lost a match the other Saturday," said Bailey.

"But as long as we keep playing like we can, to come back with a draw will be a good result - but it would be even better if we could sneak a win!"

The gaffer made a brief comeback at the start of this season after suffering from back trouble last term - but the team have coped without him.

"I played against Stand, we won 1-0 and then I got injured and in our three games since, when I didn't play, we have scored 15 goals. Perhaps that is the answer!" I have scored 96 so far, I've been adding them up, so to get 100 as soon as possible is my aim. That would be great