Albany Northern League

The management committee has inspected all the grounds of the promotion chasing clubs in the Second Division, and is satisfied they all meet First Division criteria.

That means there will probably be three up and three down at the end of the season.

The clubs at the bottom of the First Division were hoping for a lifeline from a club which failed to reach standard, but that hope has been extinguished, and now they must rely on their own results.

The League has inspected the grounds of the two Northern Alliance clubs, Newcastle Benfield Saints and West Allotment, and have passed them both as satisfactory for promotion to the second division of the Northern League.

However, only one of them will be promoted, as long as they finish in the top two of the Alliance.

It is looking unlikely that North Shields will finish in the top two of the Wearside League, so it is looking more and more possible that only one club will be relegated from the Northern League.

Newcastle Blue Star have won the league's programme competition for the second successive season, followed by Chester-le-Street, Murton and Durham City.

West Auckland manager Alan Oliver was forced to turn out for his team last Saturday at Newcastle Blue Star.

Oliver, 43, came on as a substitute late in the 4-1 win at the division's bottom club because of injuries and unavailability.

But it doesn't look as if his appearances are going to be regular. "Paul Stout had to come off injured, so I replaced him for the last ten minutes," said Oliver. "I could have maybe lasted another two or three minutes more."

The Kennek Ryhope versus Norton match, which was abandoned last month because of floodlight failure with Norton, battling against relegation, leading 1-0 at the time, has been ordered to be replayed by the Management Committee.

Eppleton have won two performance of the week awards for their recent wins at Murton and Easington. The list for March is: Brandon for their 3-2 win at Billingham Synthonia on March 1, Eppleton for their 3-0 win at Murton on March 8, Willington for their 2-1 home win over Easington on March 15, Easington for a 3-1 win at Thornaby on March 22, Eppleton for a 3-1 win at Easington on March 29.

Durham City have been warned as to their future conduct after they were fined £25 by Durham FA for misconduct by a club official in a recent game.

Bedlington were top of the league's Fairplay Table at the end of February, with 45 disciplinary points against their name, followed by Durham on 52, and Billingham Synthonia, Morpeth and Prudhoe all on 54.

However, when fines are added to the tally for the league's Good Conduct award, Bedlington are bottom because of the £140 fines handed out to them this season, while Durham have dropped to fifth. Synners, Morpeth and Prudhoe are all top of that particular table on 54 points.

Thornaby are top of both tables for the Second Division, with 42 points in each.

Durham City have confirmed that Billy Cruddas will be their manager next season. Speculation has been rife in the league that Cruddas, appointed in October following the departure of Brian Honour, would be leaving at the end of the season.

But City chairman Stuart Dawson said: "We have had a meeting with Billy, and discussed his plans for next season. He will be our manager for the new season."

Shildon manager Ray Gowan has threatened his players with a clear out after a recent run of poor form.

Until last Saturday's 3-0 win at Consett, Shildon had lost their previous three league matches, to reduce their chances of finishing in the top four.

Gowan said: "This is the time of the season when players have to make sure that they have a shout of playing for us next season. "I know who I want to keep, but some of the others are fighting for their futures."

Gowan might be able to make his mind up further after Shildon take on Tow Law in the league cup semi final later this month.

Billingham Synthonia midfielder Neil Radigan has been suspended for five weeks and could miss the rest of the season - unless his teammates beat Brandon in the League Cup semi final. Radigan would be free to play in the final.

The semi-final draw of the League Cup is: Shildon v Tow Law (to be played on Tuesday, April 22), Brandon v Billingham Synthonia (Wednesday, April 23). The Shildon v Tow Law game is a repeat of last year's semi-final, which Shildon won. The final is to be played at Feethams, Darlington, on Monday May 5 (11am).

Willington have been featured in a programme on Norwegian television. A crew from one of the most popular television channels in Norway spent last Saturday filming Willington's 4-3 home win over Washington Nissan.

Chairman John Phelan said: "It's come about from the publicity we got earlier in the season about the state of the club's finances and the players being encouraged to drink more beer.

"The crew spoke to several people, and filmed part of the game." Willington are now off the bottom for the first time in several months, and Phelan said: "We can see some clear light now. Being off the bottom has lifted a big weight from our shoulders."

The draw for the semi finals of the Craven Cup is: Ashington v Seaham Red Star, Evenwood v South Shields (both on Tuesday, April 22). The final is to be played at Horden on Tuesday, May 6.

Shildon midfielder David Bayles has now scored in three successive games after he scored twice in Shildon's 4-1 home win over Morpeth on Tuesday night, taking his tally for the season in the league to eight.

He opened the scoring just before half time from a Chris Rutter pass, and had an assist in the second when his shot hit the bar and Jamie Middleton scored from the rebound. He scored the third from a Gary Barnes pass after 59 minutes, then Barnes got the fourth from a Rutter cross. Colin Lawton scored for Morpeth to make the score 1-1 just after half time.

Billingham Town's chances of finishing in the top three suffered a blow when they lost 1-0 at Dunston. The goal came just two minutes from the end, when youngster Paul Newham opened up the Town defence for Kraig Wilkinson to fire home.

Penrith's season long unbeaten record in the league was finally ended when they lost 3-1 at Seaham Red Star, who have strengthened their chances of promotion.

Craig Lines and Paul Taylor put Seaham 2-0 up before Willie Paul pulled a goal back. Colin Wright made the game safe for Seaham in the second half.

Penrith secretary John Balmer said: "I think we can afford to lose five games and still go up." However, Penrith looked certain to win promotion last season, but they blew up in the home straight because of their backlog of games, and Esh Winning went up instead.

Willington are still in the bottom two after they lost 2-1 at home to Evenwood. They looked good for a second straight win when Chris Gillespie put them into the lead after 15 minutes, but Evenwood hit back in the last 14 minutes, and took the points through Kevin Bromley and Kevin Shoulder.

On Wednesday night, the title advantage swung yet again in Brandon's favour, as they beat Tow Law 2-0, and Bedlington were held to a 2-2 draw by Chester-le-Street.

Chris Neil and Richie Pitt scored for Brandon, but Bedlington had to come back from 2-0 down to draw with Chester.

Steve Cuggy scored twice for Chester to put them in the lead by the hour, but John Milner hit back with two goals for a point - and then he and Andy Fletcher missed good chances for the winner.

Youngster John Ryan scored a hat trick for Guisborough as they crushed Esh Winning 6-0. Ryan scored twice in the first half as Guisborough led 4-0 at the interval.

Peterlee sprung the surprise of the night, beating Whitley Bay 3-1 to keep alive their slim hopes of avoiding the drop.

Steve O'Berne put Peterlee into the lead, but Michael Fenwick equalised before half time. John Keegans (50) and Lee Seed (85) scored for Peterlee in the second half.

Billingham Synthonia are looking good for third place after they won 2-0 at Washington. David Wells and Lee Flanagan scored within three minutes of each other in the second half.

In the second division, Crook Town are now virtually safe after they beat Kennek Ryhope CA 3-0 at the Millfield. David Snow put them into the lead, with Paul Dalton adding the second from 20 yards. Dalton got the third from the spot after Paul Bayles was fouled.

Eppleton led 3-0 against promotion chasing Horden, but were pegged back to 3-3.

Chris Tate (2) and Phil Graham scored for Horden, but then Tait was red-carded for swearing and that let Horden back into the game in the second half. John Cowley (2) and Chris I'Anson hit back for Horden.

Ashington nearly let a three gaol lead slip at Hebburn, but just held on to a 3-2 win. Mark Campbell (2) and Stuart Hepple had Ashington in control, but then Hebburn hit back with goals from Chris Joyce and Paul Wilson.

The results mean that Washington Nissan have now dropped down the table to fifth place.