The Albany Northern League Today

Holmes started his career in the Northern League with Guisborough, before moving into the pro game with Preston and Lincoln. A knee injury finished his pro career, and he signed for Dunston at the start of last season.

And there was another doubt over his future last season when the knee injury flared up again.

But now he is one of the cornerstones of Dunston's unbeaten start to the season, which was up to fifteen matches after the weekend win over Dunston in the Vase.

"Steve is enjoying a new lease of life" said Briggs.

"As well as stopping the attack at one end, he's scoring them at the other. He's scored seven goals this season, which isn't bad for a centre half. One of his goals was really important, late in the game at home to Fleetwood in the Cup.

"His attitude and commitment are magnificent, and he's one of the reasons why we've done well this season."

Briggs, just like everybody else at Federation Park, is looking forward to the big game tomorrow against Lancaster.

"The draw couldn't have been much kinder. Just like Shildon, we were worried about drawing Conference clubs, but we've got a team that's in the bottom half of the UniBond Premier. It will still be a tough game, but they won't fancy coming up here."

Horden's new boss Eddie Freeman is looking forward to the challenge at Welfare Park.

Freeman started the manager's job with a 4-1 win at Whitley Bay on Saturday, to end a run of ten matches without a win.

Freeman was at Peterlee for four years, and last season was briefly in charge of Wearside League club North Shields.

"I've had plenty of offers, but they weren't what I wanted," he said.

"Horden are a well-run club, with plenty of ambition. It was great to have the chance to come back, because I really enjoyed myself here as a player.

"It was a good win on Saturday, and I suppose in a way it was going to be our day."

The events leading up to Freeman's appointment moved quickly. Previous manager Tommy Garside appointed Freeman and Kenny Charlton to his coaching staff on Wednesday, and on Friday night Freeman and Charlton were put in charge of team affairs with considerable speculation on the circumstances.

"Tommy rang me on Wednesday, and asked if we could give him a hand.

"We met the players on Thursday, and on Friday the chairman called me to tell me that Tommy had resigned because of work and family commitments, and asked me to take the job."

Garside, meanwhile, has pointed out that he didn't resign.

Washington manager John Oliver is delighted with the signing of centre half Darryl Smith.

Smith signed last week from Brandon, and made his debut against Durham last Saturday in the 1-1 draw.

Oliver said: "He's the type of player we need to get our youngsters through games. He's no mug."

Durham midfielder Steve Walklate is set to return to the City squad against Penrith tomorrow.

Walklate, who was a pro at Scarborough and Darlington, broke his leg in a game at Brandon way back in February, but is now well on the way to recovery.

Durham boss Billy Cruddas said: "It will be great to have him back. He's worked really hard since he had his plaster off, and deserves a place in the squad again."

Consett have signed midfielder John King from Morpeth. King, who has played for several Northern League clubs plus Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor, has played under Consett manager Ray Lish before, in their days at Horden. Meanwhile, striker Andy Green has been put on the transfer list at his own request.

West Auckland caretaker manager Graeme Forster has clarified his position over the vacant manager's job at Darlington Road.

West announced last week that the "Doc" had returned for a second spell, but Forster denied it.

"I don't mind helping them out, but the arrangement was never meant to be anything else," he said.

"I said when I came back that it was as a caretaker only, until they got somebody else. I don't want the job, because it's not for me."

Forster had his hands full on Saturday at Chester-le-Street. With Alan Wilkinson suspended, West signed Troy Race from Evenwood, but he injured his shoulder in the warm up, and went off in the early minutes of the game, to be replaced by outfield player Neil Johnson.

Tow Law will set a record tomorrow when they play game number 2,563 in the Northern League.

Lawyers will break South Bank's record when they take the field against Bedlington - weather permitting - and have lined up a day of celebrations to mark the occasion.

Chairman John Flynn said: "It's a great day for us after over 80 years membership of the league, but it will be tinged with sadness, because the club whose record we're beating, South Bank, are no longer with us.

Considering that Tow Law is a community of only around 2,000 people, it's quite an achievement."

Lawyers have produced a commemorative booklet, and will be displaying old photos and programmes from through the years from 1pm. There will also be a talk-in after the game, with former manager Stuart Leeming, who led them to the league title in 1994-95, and Peter Quigley, who took them to the 1998 Vase final coming along, together with somebody from Mansfield, who lost 5-1 at a snow covered Ironworks Road way back in 1967.

For the record, Lawyers have played 2562, won 1082, drawn 494, lost 986, scored 5010 and conceded 4866.

Newcastle Blue Star manager Warren Teasdale expects his team to climb the Second Division table again soon.

Star have had three points deducted by the league for fielding an ineligible player against Newcastle Benfield Saints.

"At least we're out of the relegation battle now," quipped Teasdale, appointed at the start of the season.

"We played well, and were good going forward. If the lads show the same attitude in the games to come, then we'll soon be climbing the table."

And there was other drama in the game as well, with Murton scoring from a thrice taken penalty. The first was ordered to be retaken because there was encroachment, the second because the keeper wasn't ready, and the third was legitimately scored by Paul Diamond.

The FA Vase second round ties involving North East clubs are: West Allotment v St Helens, Northallerton v Warrington, Jarrow Roofing v Hall Road Rangers, Morpeth v Poulton Victoria, Bacup Borough v Guisborough, Clitheroe v Whitley Bay, Shildon v Pickering, Dunston v Sheffield, Billingham Town v Squires Gate, Liversedge v Billingham Synthonia, Selby v Durham City. Ties to be played on November 22.

The draw for the next round of the League cup, to be played on Wednesday November 5, is: Alnwick v Newcastle Benfield Saints, Consett v Washington, Dunston v Bedlington, Durham v Tow Law, Esh Winning v Willington, Horden v Murton, Marske v Chester-le-Street, Northallerton v Kennek Ryhope CA, Penrith v Ashington, Seaham Red Star v Billingham Synthonia, Shildon v Brandon, South Shields v Newcastle Blue Star, Thornaby v Peterlee, West Auckland v Washington Nissan, Whickham v Shotton, Whitley Bay v Morpeth.

* Ties won't be played on November 4, because the league is keeping that night free for the England v Belgium international at the Reynolds Arena, Darlington.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: FA Cup fourth qualifying round: Dunston v Lancaster, Shildon v Stocksbridge

Division One: Chester-le-St v Guisborough, Durham City v Penrith, Esh Winning v Whitley Bay, Morpeth v Washington, Peterlee v Brandon, Thornaby v Billingham Town, Tow Law v Bedlington, West Auckland v Horden

Division Two: Ashington v Easington, Consett v Whickham, Murton v Newcastle Benfield Saints, Newcastle Blue Star v Northallerton, Norton v Prudhoe, Seaham Red Star v Crook, South Shields v Shotton, Washington Nissan v Alnwick, Willington v Hebburn

Durham Challenge Cup second round: Annfield Plain v Jarrow Roofing, Cleadon v Kennek, Ryhope CA, Ferryhill v Billingham Synthonia.

Midweek Round-up

West Auckland didn't have a recognised keeper again in their Durham Challenge Cup tie at Dunston.

First choice Alan Wilkinson is serving a five week ban, second choice Troy Race is injured, and Neil Johnson, who played in goal at Chester-le-Street last Saturday, is also banned.

Outfield player Adam Gilroy went in goal on Tuesday night, and caretaker boss Graeme Forster said: "He pulled off some very good saves." Gilroy might have to go in goal again tomorrow at home to Horden.

Dunston took a 2-0 lead with goals by Danny Shore and Ray Booth, while West replied with a Brian Fairhurst penalty near the end.

South Shields went out 3-1 at home to Gateshead. Shields took the lead through David Hopper after 29 minutes, but Gateshead quickly equalised through Michael Chilton. Simon Reay got the second before half time, with Chilton scoring another after 55 minutes.

Murton lost 2-0 to Bishop Auckland, after missing a tenth minute penalty through John Guy. Stephen Manson scored either side of half time for Bishops.

Peterlee won 4-0 at Consett, thanks to two goals inside the first seven minutes from Leon Scott. Paul Hinton and Chris Emms got the others.

Chester-le-Street beat Birtley 6-1, with Martin Bowes scoring three.

Durham scored twice in the last 16 minutes through Michael Canavan and Gavin Mudd to earn a 2-0 win at Washington Nissan.

But the shock of the round was Tow Law's 3-2 defeat at Wearside League club Gateshead Reserves.

The tie at Thornaby between Billingham Town and Willington was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. The ground had been used on Monday night for a reserve game, and wasn't fit for the cup tie, which will now be played next Tuesday.

In the first division, Brandon dropped to fourth after they lost 2-1 at home to Jarrow Roofing. Adam Johnston and Paul Chow put Roofing 2-0 up before Brandon replied through John Ewart. Brandon have lost their last three league and cup matches.

In the second division, Ashington recovered from their FA Vase defeat to win 1-0 at Kennek Ryhope CA, Alex Lawson scoring.

The game between Shotton and Seaham was postponed at 8.15pm because of floodlight failure.

In the Northumberland Senior Cup, Bedlington won 5-4 at Whitley Bay, with John Milner scoring four. However, Ian Dixon and Jimmy Harmison of Bedlington, along with Craig Melrose of Whitley Bay, were all red-carded.

Tony Chapman scored the winner for Bedlington in the last minute.