FC St Helens aim to build on their recent success in the FA Vase following the return of winger Josh Briggs, who scored four goals during their 9-0 victory over Frickley Athletic in a qualifying round match last weekend. Briggs, who had moved to Clitheroe a year ago after a prolific start to the season with St Helens, rejoined his former club temporarily and made an immediate impact. Manager Mike Smith praised Briggs’s direct style, saying the team had struggled to find the net recently and welcomed his willingness to rejoin for additional game time.

Alongside Briggs, Tom Scarborough (twice), Luke Byron, Mike Fitzgerald, and David Ball—a summer signing from Radcliffe and former Fleetwood striker—all contributed to St Helens equalling their record margin of victory set six years prior. The emphatic win secured a first-round FA Vase tie against Darlington Town, a fixture scheduled for October 10 at St Helens’ home ground. Smith noted that Briggs may return to Clitheroe by then, but the winger also featured in a 4-2 win over Litherland REMYCA in a midweek match.

Smith, who marked his 150th game as FC St Helens manager last month, expressed optimism about the club’s prospects in the competition. He described the recent results as a potential catalyst for a deeper cup run, emphasizing the importance of converting chances after some earlier struggles. With a coaching background that includes being part of the staff when Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase at Wembley in the 2020-21 season, Smith understands the significance of success in the tournament.

Having joined the National League System four years ago as Cheshire League champions, FC St Helens are targeting a progression beyond their previous best, which is the second round of the competition. Smith highlighted the benefits of a strong cup run, including increased exposure, prize money, sponsorship opportunities, and community engagement.

Darlington Town, competing in the Northern League Division Two and placed 12th prior to their match against Boldon CA, have described the upcoming game as the biggest in their club history. Their recent 2-1 victory over four-time FA Vase winners Whitley Bay drew attention to their potential as opponents. Smith acknowledged that Darlington remains largely unknown to his team but emphasized the priority of focusing on St Helens’ own performance and resilience, aiming to make the match difficult to overcome.