Virtual Vase final: Hebburn Town and Consett prepare to do battle

But this Sunday sees two Northern League clubs meet at Wembley in the final of the Virtual Vase for the first time since Dunston UTS claimed a 2-0 win against West Auckland Town eight years ago.

Graeme Armstrong was Hebburn Town’s hero as his second-half brace helped the Hornets overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to secure their place at Wembley with a 2-0 home win against Southern Counties East League club Corinthian.

And they will meet Consett at the home of football after the Steelmen came from behind in the home leg of their semi-final against Western League club Bitton.

Terry Mitchell’s side battled to a draw in the first leg in South Gloucestershire as Luke Carr saw his first-half opener cancelled out by Bitton’s loan star Liam Bishop.

Carr grabbed the decisive goal in the return leg at Belle View and Dale Pearson also found the net as a 2-1 home win helped Consett set up an all-Northern League final.

Sunday’s final will be the third meeting of the two sides this season and there is little to separate them based on the results of their fixtures earlier in the campaign.

Despite Hebburn manager Kevin Bolam predicting a goal-laden affair in their first meeting at the Energy Check Sports Ground, the two sides failed to break the deadlock over a low-key 90 minutes.

However, Bolam’s prediction did ring true in the return meeting at Belle View in October as current South Shields defender Wouter Verstraaten grabbed a late equaliser to earn Consett a 4-4 draw on their home turf.

It seems inevitable that their meeting at Wembley will be just as tight as both clubs try to claim the Vase for the first time in their history.

Team News

Both managers are having to contend with some serious injury news ahead of the final.

Hebburn could hand a start to young defender Jack Donaghy after Danny Carson suffered a groin strain earlier in the week and is rated as doubtful and winger Lewis Suddick is also likely to miss out with a calf strain.

Consett will be missing Jake Orrell after he suffered a fractured wrist and Terry Mitchell is awaiting news on winger Tom McAloon, who is suffering from the flu.

Hebburn Town manager Kevin Bolam: “It’s strange to think we are playing a side from our league at Wembley, but it’s just another game once we are out on that pitch.

“It’s clear that there isn’t much between the two sides and I know Terry likes to play a similar style of football to ourselves – there will definitely be goals, although I have been proven wrong when I said that before our first meeting of the season.”

Hebburn Town striker Graeme Armstrong: “Getting to the Virtual Vase Final has been a challenge but we are now there, and we have to make the most of it.

“It’s no good just going for the day out at Wembley, we have to make sure we bring that Vase back to Hebburn and I know the lads are determined to do so.”

Consett striker Dale Pearson: “I’ve been at Wembley for a Vase Final when I was with Morpeth Town, but I didn’t get on the pitch that day.

“It’s been a great season for me, and I’ve found a bit of a home at Consett, so hopefully I can round it off by helping the club win the Vase.

“We have come so far this season and now we just want to finish the job.”