Northern League clubs could discover what the future holds for them next week. Now that the higher levels of the non-league system appear to have been decided with the new Conference North and Conference South, the FA's attention is now being focused on the Northern League's level.

There are 15 leagues around the country playing on the same level, and there have been suggestions this figure will be trimmed to 12 in the next level of restructuring. Whether this would directly affect the Northern League remains to be seen.

League officials are due to attend a meeting in London on Wednesday, at which they expect to discover more details of the FA's future plans.

League chairman Mike Amos said: "There have been meetings organised before, but they were to sort out the leagues above us.

"We haven't been informed exactly what will be on the agenda on Wednesday. There's talk of some leagues being amalgamated, and regional leagues, but I don't know if any of that would affect us.

"According to the FA, it's just half time. I'd very much doubt if we'd be affected, but the FA has great capacity to surprise people."

The following night, Mike Appleby, who is in charge of the non-league restructuring, is due to meet league clubs at a meeting in Seaham.

Appleby was forced to withdraw from a January meeting because of ill-health, but in his absence league clubs claimed they had been cast adrift and forgotten by the FA. Clubs are bound to be interested in what his plans are for the Northern League's part in any restructure, although league officials are hoping that delegates won't be too hostile towards him.

Shildon have arranged a pre-season friendly with Notts County at Dean Street before the next season.

The game against the club which beat Shildon in the first round of the FA Cup last year, will be in memory of full back Lee Hainsworth who was killed in a car accident in February.

They've also arranged a friendly against Newcastle United, but definite dates have yet to be fixed.

Meanwhile, Shildon manager Ray Gowan was less than happy with the referee after the dismissal of keeper John Jackson at Tow Law on Saturday.

Jackson was shown a straight red for handling the ball outside his area, so former Tow Law defender Graham Liddle replaced him between the posts for the rest of the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Gowan said; "A long ball came towards his box, he came running out of his goal, caught the ball inside the area, then stopped outside.

"The problem was that nobody could see the lines very clearly, because they had been washed away by the rain.

"Yes, he handled the ball, and yes he was the last man, but it wasn't deliberate.

"I don't think anybody wants a keeper sent off in those circumstances."

Norton's last game of the season against Consett has been re-arranged for Wednesday, April 28.

The game was due to be played on May 1, but Norton asked the league to re-arrange the game because they have two players involved in the County Youth FA Cup final at the Riverside on the same day.

Lee Farrington and Matthew Ruse will be on opposite sides in the final between North Riding and Durham, and manager Ray Morton said: "We asked the league to consider a new date, because it's quite a feather in the club's cap to have two players in a game like that."

Jimmy Farrell is enjoying his return to Washington Nissan.

Irishman Farrell started the season well with Nissan, scoring seven goals, and he was transferred to Tow Law in November.

However, he failed to find the back of the net at Ironworks Road, and when manager Steve Smith departed last month, he was transferred back to his first club.

And now he has scored in his last four matches, keeping Nissan on the fringe of the promotion race.

West Auckland's home game last Tuesday against Brandon had to be abandoned after 25 minutes because of floodlight failure, caused by a main fuse blowing on the feed into the ground. The match has been re-arranged for next Wednesday.

Horden have signed midfielder Rob Huntley from Sunderland for the rest of the season, but there are conditions attached.

Huntley, who has been playing for Sunderland's under-19 team, will only be allowed to play in two of Horden's remaining games.

Marske are hoping to appoint a new manager soon. The club has received several enquiries and will be holding interviews in the next few days. Senior player Michael Kinnair has been running the team in recent weeks afetr the resignations of Peter Bell and Micky Hodgson.

Evenwood's Under-14 team have been given kit to the value of £300 by the Football Foundation.

The donation has come from the Foundation's Junior Kit scheme, which benefits clubs all around the country.

"The kids are absolutely delighted with their new kit. The Junior Kit scheme is easy to apply for and is a real boost for a club of our size, the extra strip was vital to the expansion of our soccer development scheme," said Evenwood manager Ken Houlahan.

The team have been accepted into a local friendly league, which is being run as part of Wear Valley Council's Soccer development scheme.

fixtures

TODAY: Durham City v Shildon (11am)

Tomorrow: Division One: Chester-le-St v Peterlee, Dunston v Billingham Synthonia, Esh Winning v Jarrow Roofing, Horden v Tow Law, Morpeth v Whitley Bay, Thornaby v Guisborough, West Auckland v Bedlington.

Division Two: Ashington v Newcastle Blue Star, Consett v Kennek Ryhope CA, Evenwood v South Shields, Murton v Seaham Red Star, Newcastle Benfield Saints v Easington, Norton v Northallerton, Prudhoe v Hebburn, Shotton v Crook.