The Albany Northern League Today

The Magpies have told Crook that they will send a team for a friendly to the Millfield on Thursday, November 20, and there is every possibility that there could be some members of the first team squad making the trip.

Crook chairman Steve Buddle said: "I've spoken to Tommy Craig, the reserve team manager, and he has told me that he will send as strong a side as possible, bearing in mind that Newcastle will probably have a first team game on the following Saturday.

"All the credit has to go to Tom, our president. He's spent a great deal of time chatting to Newcastle about it, as he's a good friend of Sir Bobby Robson. He wrote to them a while ago asking for this friendly, and it's great for everybody that Newcastle have obliged."

Former West Auckland boss Graeme Forster returned to his old club as caretaker manager for their home game with Durham City on Tuesday night.

Forster who was manager when West had two top six placings and reached the first round of the FA Cup, answered a call for help from West general manager Stuart Alderson after the resignation of Peter Mulcaster on Saturday evening.

Forster stepped into the breach for a fortnight earlier in the season, but he is non- committal about returning permanently.

"I'll help West in whatever way I can, but it is only on the basis of one game at a time," he said.

"West have been all right with me in the past, I just don't want to see them stuck. But I don't know whether I want to come back permanently or not."

Forster was manager of Tow Law for two years until he left Ironworks Road during the summer.

Forster's return to management, albeit temporary, ended in a 2-1 home defeat by Durham City on Tuesday night.

Forster re-signed keeper Adrian Swan before the game, but he had no chance with Durham's goals. Durham took the lead after 35 minutes when Willie Moat crossed for Craig Lake to score, then Lake set up Micky Dunwell for the second. Andy Cole pulled one back with a 25 yarder near the end

Shildon manager Ray Gowan isn't too concerned about playing at Frickley in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

Shildon have already beaten UniBond club Workington in the competition, although Frickley are a division higher.

Gowan said: "We could have done with playing them at home, but if we're going to do well in cup competitions, then we have to deal with teams like these. There could have been far worse draws."

Gowan was a little worried, though, about having to play a league game so close to the cup tie - Shildon played Whitley Bay on Wednesday night - but Frickley were also in action in midweek.

The last time Shildon reached the third qualifying round was way back in 1978-79 when they beat Whitley Bay and South Bank, but then lost 8-1 at home to Gateshead.

Evenwood expect their floodlights to be working in time for Tuesday's Durham Challenge Cup tie with Shildon.

Evenwood had to replace the previous system for safety reasons, and work has been ongoing since August, forcing the club to switch home games.

But now manager Ken Houlahan has confirmed that they should be in use for Tuesday night's tie. If there are any last minute hitches, then the game could be transferred to West Auckland, providing Shildon aren't involved in an FA cup replay against Frickley

Horden manager Tommy Garside is aiming to strengthen his squad over the next few weeks.

Speaking between last Saturday's defeat by West Allotment in the Vase, and Tuesday night's 6-1 thrashing at Tow Law in the league, Garside admits that it's time for some reflection.

"We said at the start of the season that we would probably assess how we've done six weeks into the season.

"That time is upon us now. On the whole, the team has done well because we're third in the league, but there are certain areas in the team which we need to strengthen. There is a bit of work to do in the next few weeks."

Striker Chris I'Anson won't be around much because the striker has now started a month's trial at Premiership club Birmingham city. Eight scouts watched him last week.

Esh Winning manager Barry Fleming was delighted with his team's 4-0 midweek win at Thornaby.

Esh are now in midtable, away from immediate trouble near the bottom, and Fleming said: "We're slowly getting players who have missed the start of the season through one reason or another back into the squad, and we're steadily getting our shape.

"We played really well on Tuesday, and I couldn't have faulted any of the players on the park. It was almost a perfect performance."

Northallerton have signed veteran Micky Waller from Guisborough.

Waller, who has played for several Northern League clubs plus Whitby and Bishop Auckland in the UniBond League, hasn't been able to turn out regularly for Guisborough because he now lives in York.

But Northallerton boss Paul Burton said: "We're hoping that he might be able to turn out a bit more often for us, depending on his work. He's a great signing, and he will make a difference to us."

Billlingham Town, who gave a debut to former Boro centre half Chris Hanson in their 2-2 draw at Brandon last weekend, have placed defender Richie Gaston on the transfer list at his own request.

The FA Vase tie between Newcastle Benfield Saints and Thornaby, which was abandoned early in the second half last Saturday because of an injury to an assistant referee, will now be played this Saturday, the FA Vase committee has decided.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery believes that Terriers are slowly coming back to their best.

The five times champions, who lost their crown to Brandon last season, have started the new campaign slowly, with two league defeats and a cup exit already, but Lowery believes that they are starting to turn the corner.

"We're working very hard, but we're missing our passing in midfield.

"And even though we're scoring goals at the moment, we're conceding too many.

"We've brought several new players to the club, and they're still getting used to each other. We must keep battling away - I'm sure it will come.

"But we can't afford too many slip ups, because the teams at the top will start getting away from us."

Meanwhile, Bedlington gave a debut to former Whitley Bay player Kevin Walton in their 5-0 home win over Washington at the weekend. Walton was signed from UniBond League club Gateshead.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin was delighted with the return of Paul Chow at the weekend.

Chow, who was leading scorer in the league last season, has been missing because of injury for much of this season, but he returned with a bang at Harrogate RA on Saturday, scoring a hat trick in the 4-1 win.

"He looked very sharp indeed," said McLoughlin."He showed just how good a finisher he is. Overall, it was a very good performance, and we had Harrogate all over the place."

Washington Nissan have reported Gateshead to Durham FA for an illegal approach for striker Michael Dibie.

Nissan claim that the UniBond League should have submitted the usual seven days' notice of approach for the striker, but they haven't received anything.

Nissan boss Wilf Constantine said: "Gateshead weren't given permission at all to speak to him. I had a conversation with them, and I told them that nothing could happen until I had sorted out a possible replacement."

Dunston are going to appeal to Durham FA against the dismissal of Anthony March in the FA Cup against Billingham Town a fortnight ago.

The draw for the first round of the FA Vase is (matches to be played on October 18): Crook v Ramsbottom, St Helens v Willington, Hall Road Rangers v Ashington, Jarrow Roofing v Bedlington, Dunston v Brandon, Shildon v Garforth, Warrington v Esh Winning, Selby v Newcastle Benfield Saints or Thornaby, West Allotment v Ossett Albion, Guisborough v Peterlee, Seaham Red Star or Alsager v Silsden, Winterton Rangers v Billingham Synthonia.

FIXTURES

TOMORROW: FA Cup second qualifying round: Chester-le-Street v Bradford PA, Chorley v Whickham, Dunston v Fleetwood, Frickley v Shildon, Maltby Main v Ashington, Stocksbridge v Brandon

FA Vase second qualifying round: Newcastle Benfield Saints v Thornaby, Seaham Red Star v Alsager

Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Peterlee, Durham v Horden, Esh Winning v Morpeth, Jarrow Roofing v West Auckland, Marske v Penrith, Washington v Tow Law, Whitley Bay v Bedlington

Division Two: Consett v South Shields, Easington v Shotton, Evenwood v Murton, Hebburn v Northallerton, Kennek Ryhope CA v Crook Town, Washington Nissan v Norton, Willington v Prudhoe

Tuesday: Division One: Morpeth v Dunston, Penrith v Whitley Bay

Albany Northern League Cup: Prudhoe v Ashington

Albany Durham Challenge Cup: Billingham Town v Brandon, Chester-le-Street v Easington, Esh Winning v Durham City, Evenwood v Shildon, Shotton v Kennek Ryhope CA, South Shields v Ryhope CW, Washington Nissan v Darlington Reserves

Wednesday: Division One: Bedlington v Guisborough

Albany Durham Challenge Cup: Consett v Hebburn, Peterlee v Jarrow, Seaham Red Star v Hartlepool United Reserve.

Midweek round-up

Tow Law striker Andy McKenna helped the club reach a significant milestone on Tuesday night when Lawyers thrashed Horden 6-1.

McKenna's 33rd minute goal was the 5,000th league goal which Tow Law had scored since they joined the league in 1920.

Tow Law chairman John Flynn said: "We checked on the Northern League website after the game, and we realised that Andy had scored the 5000th goal. It was a great game to reach the milestone, one that we'll always remember. Hopefully we can score a lot more in the league."

There was no indication of the rout to come when Lee Innes put Lawyers ahead after 12 minutes, because Andy Allen levelled after 20. After McKenna made it 2-1, Gary Innes got the third just before half time, then after the break Innes, Danny Craggs and Andy Armstrong all scored further goals.

Billingham Synthonia had two players carried off but they still drew 1-1 at Jarrow Roofing. First Paul Crazier, and then his replacement Brian Healy both suffered injuries which led to their swift departures. Craig Nelson put Roofing ahead but Andy Fletcher levelled.

Billingham Town's unbeaten record came to an end when they lost 2-0 at Penrith, who picked up their first win of the season. Town were reduced to ten men after just five minutes when Carl Chillingsworth was sent off for violent conduct, and Penrith took advantage to lead after 30 minutes through Ryan Errington. Barry Irving got the second just after half time.

Esh Winning had their best win of the season when they won 4-0 at Thornaby, goals scored by Gary Messer, Dave Andison, Paul Bellamy and Craig Marram.

Chester-le-Street drew 2-2 at Morpeth. David Turner put Chester ahead but Micky Arkle hit back for Morpeth. Chester earned a point with a penalty by Derek Ord.

In the second division, leaders Hebburn had a 4-0 win at Whickham, with goals from Jamie Oldroyd (2), Paul Donaghy and an own goal.

Norton are still bottom after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Willington.

Ashington are still the only unbeaten team in the Second Division after they won 2-0 at Murton.

Newcastle Blue Star bounced back to form with a 2-0 home win over fellow promotion contenders Washington Nissan.

Shotton picked up a point at home to Kennek Ryhope CA. David Pittam scored for Shotton, with Jonny Wightman equalising.

Alnwick's improvement continued with a 3-2 home win over Prudhoe.

On Wednesday there was a disturbing incident in the game between Peterlee and Guisborough. A firework, set off from an adjoining field, just missed one of the Peterlee players, so the referee took the players off the field for ten minutes for their own safety. Peterlee won the game 2-1, after Mark Sunley put Guisborough into a half time lead.

Shildon are still top after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Whitley Bay.

Brandon are level on points with them after they came from behind to beat Washington 2-1. Both sides had a man sent off, Washington's Kevin Leighton and for Brandon Mark Patterson. Stuart Dixon put Washington into the lead but Tony Healer levelled from the spot. David Battel put through his own goal for the winner.

Bedlington beat Marske 3-2 to go third. Roy Allen and Kevin Walton put Bedlington 2-0 up before Marske hit back with a goal from Dave Lawson. Allen got his second of the game after 87 minutes, before Lawson scored a late second.

In the second division, Consett Paul Terrell scored a hat-trick in his side's 4-0 home win over Evenwood, two of his goals coming in the last minute. Michael Pitt got the other.

Newcastle Benfield Saints won 2-1 at Crook.

Northallerton beat Easington 4-2. Lee Johnson twice had Northallerton in front in the first 15 minutes, but Ross Foreman twice cancelled his goals out. Darren Paul and Eddie Hebron scored in the second half.