Albany Northern League round-up

Newcastle Blue Star, Peterlee, Consett and Prudhoe are all in the thick of the relegation dogfight - with Prudhoe the current favourites out of the quartet to stay up - and under the rules face relegation at the end of the season.

However, the league has warned Second Division clubs that they must ensure that their grounds are up to First Division standard before they are promoted.

Chairman Mike Amos said: "Second Division clubs have been told that their ground must be up to standard, otherwise they won't go up. We told all Second Division clubs last year, and have reminded them since.

"We start inspections soon, and clubs have had plenty of notice. It isn't something that we've suddenly sprung on them."

Amos won't name the clubs concerned, but he believes that there is work still to be done by certain clubs, and the failure to do that work might be the lifeline the First Division clubs need.

If any Second Division club is unable to take a promotion place, then league rules state that clubs in the relegation places won't be demoted.

Superstition might have cost Bedlington the outright leadership of the Northern League on Saturday night.

Bedlington drew 2-2 with West Auckland after being 2-0 up at one stage, allowing Brandon to draw level with them at the top with their 1-0 win over Guisborough.

But after Roy Allen scored one penalty against his old club for Bedlington, he turned down the chance of another when the score was 2-1, and it was missed by Andy Fletcher.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery said: "Roy didn't want to take the second penalty because he's superstitious. Apparently, when he was at West, he scored one then missed a second.

"We couldn't believe that we drew the game, but we can't afford to dwell on things. We must focus on winning the league again, because it's still in our hands."

Meanwhile, Lowery is looking forward to the return of midfielder Ian Bogie.

The former Newcastle midfielder was sent off for the first time in his career last month, and he is nearing the end of a five week suspension.

"Ian will give us the lift we want at this stage of the season, because he makes us tick."

Billingham Town have put midfielder Richie Gaston and defender Martin Thompson on the transfer list at their own request.

Morpeth have signed midfielder Gary Middleton, who was released last week by Whitley Bay.

Seaham Red Star manager Neil Hixon still thinks that his side has got a chance of promotion.

Seaham have stormed up the table in recent weeks with just three defeats since Hixon took over as manager in October, and they are on the fringe of the promotion race.

"We're still in with a chance of promotion," he said. "We've still got teams above us to play, such as Horden and Penrith, and they will be games which we have to win.

"It should be a good tussle for promotion over the next few weeks."

Billingham Town manager Allan Robinson blamed bad finishing for his team's 2-1 home defeat by Washington last Saturday.

Robinson said that his side had enough chances to keep their slim title hopes alive. "It wasn't down to bad luck that we lost, but bad finishing," he said.

"We should have had the game won by half time, so we need to bounce back as quickly as possible. But we're still on course for a place in the top four at least."

Marske United presented Michael Kinnair with a gift when he made his 500th appearance for the club against Newcastle blue Star on Saturday.

Kinnair, who has been at the club, nearly got on the scoresheet in the game when they were awarded a penalty, but secretary Ian Rowe said: "The lads wouldn't let Michael take it."

Instead, Kinnair had to be content with a role in the 3-1 win.

West Auckland have signed former Spennymoor keeper Adrian Swan. The former Darlington keeper was released by Spennymoor boss Jamie Pollock a fortnight ago, and West manager Alan Oliver moved quickly to sign him from his previous Northern League club, Guisborough, in time to play him at Bedlington last Saturday.

And Swan didn't let him down, as he saved a penalty when the score was 2-1 to Bedlington.

"He made a big difference to us," said Oliver. "He really enjoyed himself, and when we scored the equaliser, he ran to the halfway line!"

Durham City have placed full back Scott Emerson on the transfer list at his own request.

Guisborough manager Steve Corden has hailed a recent goal by midfielder Simon Kasonali as one of the greatest he's seen.

Former Marske player Kasonali scored one of the goals in the recent home win over Prudhoe, and Corden said: "It was the best goal I've seen for many seasons," he said.

"He was fouled just inside his own half, stood up and then took a couple of steps backwards. He spotted their keeper off his line, and smacked the ball over him. It went just under the bar.

"It was reported as a lob, but not many people realised how far out he was."

Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle admits they are outsiders for promotion - even though they're top of the table.

Nissan's hopes have nose-dived in recent weeks with dropped points at Easington, Hebburn and Shotton, and Liddle said: "We must have thrown 12 points away in recent weeks.

"We've had injuries and suspensions, but some people haven't been pulling their weight. However, we must keep battling away."

Northallerton have signed striker Eddie Hebron from Norton, and they gave him his debut in the game against Murton last Saturday.

The revised draw of the League Cup is: Billingham Synthonia v Bedlington, Marske v Tow Law, Seaham Red Star v Brandon, Shildon v Morpeth or Ashington, Games to be played March 25 or 26.

Craven Cup: South Shields v Thornaby, Ashington or Whickham v Hebburn or Penrith, Alnwick v Seaham, Evenwood or Kennek Ryhope v Willington.

Dunston moved away from relegation danger, although they do have plenty of games in hand, when they beat Billingham Synthonia 2-0 at Central Avenue, Darren Sankey scoring both goals. Dunston drew with Synners last Saturday.

Durham City suffered their second successive defeat when they lost 2-0 at Marske United. John Woods scored the first with a right foot shot after 64 minutes, then Lee Alexander set up Micky Ward for the second.

A hat trick from Rob Marsden put Brandon back on top of the First Division in their 5-0 win over West Auckland. John Ewart and Dave Robson scored the other goals.

Injury-hit Consett beat Prudhoe in their relegation battle 3-1 at Belle Vue, with youngster Andrew Green scoring twice. Consett are now four points behind Prudhoe with a game in hand.

In the second division, leaders Washington Nissan were held to a 2-2 draw at Horden.

After Gus DiLella put Horden into the lead, Adam Johnston and Paul Conlon put Nissan into the lead at half time. But recent signing John Outhwaite levelled for Horden in the second half, and they also hit the post in the last minute.

Thornaby are looking good for the title with plenty of games in hand on Nissan following their 4-1 home win over Hebburn. Bottom club Willington surprised promotion chasing Easington 2-1 at Hall Lane.

Sean Denham put Willington into the lead after 26 minutes, with Peter Ould equalising seven minutes later. But Craig Mason scored the winner for Willington, to put them closer to the four other clubs battling to avoid relegation.

In the league cup, Tow Law beat Penrith thanks to a Scott Nicholson goal. They fielded two 38 year olds in defence, Jeff Hall and Andy Sinclair.

Esh Winning's home game with Billingham Town on Wednesday night was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Evenwood's home game against Alnwick on Tuesday night was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. They were also due to be playing Penrith in a league game this Saturday, but that game will also have to be rescheduled because Penrith are playing in the Cumberland Senior Cup