Consett Undecided on UniBond

The ANL recently agreed that up to four clubs could move upwards to the new UniBond League First Division North at the end of the season, but Consett's enthusiasm isn't as keen as it was last season. Consett considered a move last season, but withdrew their interest after a ground inspection.

"I personally didn't attend the league meeting, but my initial reaction when I heard the news was that four clubs won't leave the league," said Hurst.

"Clubs have got to be financially sound to go up, and I can't see many clubs leaving unless a national system is in place that suits the Northern League geographically.

"We're sitting on the fence at the moment, and waiting to see how our sponsors feel. I really don't think four will go, and in fact I think that the FA will do well to get two clubs. We estimate that it would cost another £15,000 in travelling costs, and the same again for players' wages, taking into consideration that they will demand more to play a higher level, and for the amount of time they would be away from home every other Saturday."

Consett have got other considerations. It is looking more and more unlikely that a proposed new ground will be built, and so they will have to redevelop Belle Vue, most of which was constructed during the club's North Eastern League days fifty years ago.Despite what amounts to an open invitation by the FA - and arguably whether they will actually abide by their own top six requirement - there appears to have been no stampede of clubs towards the exit door from the Northern League.

Billingham Town were one of the first to say straight after the meeting that they're not interested in going, and that seems to be indicative of most clubs. Durham City have said that they're interested and Spennymoor are still canvassing their supporters, but unless some clubs are keeping their cards close to their chests, then only a maximum of three could be leaving anyway.

DURHAM City are still fuming about the FA's refusal to allow them to play FA Cup matches at the Archibalds Stadium this season.

City thought that they had been given the go-ahead by the FA last season to play FA Cup ties on their artificial surface, but were refused permission this summer.

Consequently, they had to switch their preliminary round tie against Silsden to Esh Winning, and last Saturday's first qualifying round tie against Guiseley to Washington.

But they lost 3-1 to the UniBond League side, prompting manager Lee Collings to say: "We lost home advantage for a game we could have won.

"Our lads all said that if they had played on our pitch, then we would have passed Guiseley out of the game.

"We missed some chances in the game, and I told the players that when they come up against the better teams, then they have to take their chances."

Just to rub salt into the wound, Durham officials have noted with interest that England have agreed to play in Russia on an artificial surface in their next Euro 2008 qualifier. However, just to confuse the issue, the FA has no objections to City playing Vase ties at the Archibalds Stadium, a clear case of self contradiction.

SUNDERLAND RCA manager Neil Hixon says that a mad five minutes cost his team their first victory of the season at Thornaby last Saturday. The RCA led 2-0 with an hour gone, but then conceded two goals in just five minutes and had to settle for a point, albeit their first of the season.

Hixon, who was appointed last week, said: "If I took five minutes out of the game, then everybody deserved a pat on the back. I was happy with some of the performances."

Hixon has been involved in three transfers. He has signed right wing back Luke Ball, the son of Sunderland favourite Kevin, from Durham City, plus centre half Graham Brown and keeper Craig Shields, both from Sunderland Nissan.

NISSAN boss Wilf Constantine has also been in the market. Striker Kevin Devine has gone to Dunston, while he has signed another striker, Paul Taylor, from Seaham Red Star.

Taylor has already had one spell at Nissan. Seaham have signed Neil Maddison and Craig Price from Durham City.

Stokesley manager Ted Watts says that promotion is the top priority for his side this season. Stokesley won 2-1 at North Shields last Saturday, just three days after they lost 4-1 at home to the Northumberland side in the Ernest Armstrong Trophy.

"Our main aim this season is promotion," said Watts. "With due respect to the Ernest Armstrong Trophy, we don't want to finish fourth, miss out on promotion, and win that competition instead."

CONSETT boss Kenny Lindoe reckons that his team got the toughest tie of all when the second qualifying round draw of the FA Cup was made on Monday.

Consett, who outplayed UniBond League club Ossett Town 3-0 last Saturday, have now been paired with Workington, and Lindoe said: "It couldn't be harder, but if we play like we did last Saturday, then who knows. "Workington could bring a large following, so it could be our biggest gate for some time."

WORKINGTON are currently sixth in Blue Square North, the same league as Blyth Spartans.

Lindoe added: "Last Saturday's win over Ossett shows how far we've come in two years, because they beat us easily the last time we played each other."

WEST Auckland will be looking for revenge against Newcastle Benfield in their all Northern League tie. West manager David Bayles said: "My initial reaction was that the draw could have been kinder, but at least we're at home. They thrashed us earlier in the season, and the players will be wanting to put a few things right."

NEWCASTLE Benfield beat UniBond club Newcastle Blue Star last Saturday, and manager Paul Baker said: "To recover from the 7-1 thrashing by Shildon just a few days earlier and beat Blue Star has given everybody a massive lift."

SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley didn't mind his side's away draw at Unibond club Clitheroe.

"We know what sort of test we'll have, because we've already played two UniBond teams in the competition.

"However, we haven't played that well away from home in the league this season, but I know the lads will be up for it."

HORDEN, the last remaining ANL Second Division side left in the competition after their won over Jarrow Roofing in midweek, are at home to Woodley Sports from the UniBond League.

"I don't think it's a bad draw," said assistant manager Simon Corbett.

"It could have been a lot worse.

We've ground out results lately without playing well, so we'll see if we can do it again."

BILLINGHAM Town will play Fleetwood, who beat the wellsupported FC United of Manchester in front of a crowd of over 3,000 last Saturday.

Spennymoor are organising a supporters bus for the trip to Clitheroe. Anyone interested should see Gary on Saturday at the match.

Fans are also urged to turn up at 1.30pm in order to have their photos taken for inclusion in a forthcoming book.

LEAGUE newcomers Birtley have won the first Performance of the Week award of the new season, for their opening day win at Marske United.

The other awards; Horden for their 2- 1 home win over Sunderland Nissan in the FA Cup on August 18, and Sunderland Nissan for their 2-1 away win at Billingham Synthonia on August 25.