Seaham Red Star want to make history after reaching FA Vase third round

Veteran striker Andrew Johnson put Red Star ahead with 20 minutes on the clock and they had to wait until the first minute of the second half to double their lead as Paul Gardiner found the net.

With confidence flowing, Collingwood’s men were in dominant form on an ever-deteriorating pitch and always looked likely to extend their lead rather than allow their hosts back into the tie.

Former Bishop Auckland striker Johnson doubled his tally when he added a third goal midway through the second half and Thomas Bott rounded off a fine away day when he grabbed their fourth goal with just under quarter of an hour remaining.

Red Star will now travel to Northern Counties East League Division One club North Ferriby in the third round on Tuesday 29 December as they look to reach the last 32 for the first time since 1979.

Collingwood admitted that he was excited by the prospect of being able to match the club’s furthest run in the competition as he turned his attention towards the trip to Humberside.

He told The Echo: “We played no football in the first-half but we couldn’t with the wind and rain against us.

“The game was won just after half-time when the second goal went in and that was game over.

“I think we can beat North Ferriby, I really do and I know it’s a big ask because we have two players suspended now.

“But this run isn’t finished, it’s far from finished in fact, that’s the mentality we will adopt now.

“We aren’t going to make the numbers up down there, we are going down there to win.

“You look at Stockton going out, and Hebburn nearly going out, and Consett going out, there are four left from our league now and we are in that group.

“If we can avoid them going forward, if we can beat North Ferriby, we can have a fantastic run.”