The Albany Northern League Today

Big prize money of £7.500 is at stake, enough to secure a club's immediate financial future, team strengthening or ground improvements.

But most of them will have to do it the hard way. There are seven ANL v UniBond Premier Division ties, with three clubs, West Auckland, Tow Law and Billingham Town away from home.

Billingham Town have the toughest test, away to UniBond Premier Division leaders Accrington Stanley. Horden have probably the most attractive, a home game against Worksop who are in the top three of the UniBond Premier, and at least 200 Worksop fans are expected to make the trip.

Guisborough have a good chance of a shock against First Division strugglers Guiseley.

At least one ANL club is through to the next round, with Durham City entertaining Peterlee game at the Archibalds Stadium.

Chester-le-Street take on Harrogate RA, who have already beaten Whitley Bay and Esh Winning in the competition. And as well as posing a threat in the FA Cup, the Northern Counties East League side could be one of the teams to watch in the FA Vase. The financial rewards improve from this point. Another two wins after tomorrow in the competition brings in £17,500, and victory in the last qualifying round another £20,000. The prize money has certainly increased interest in the competition, but it has also shaped the season for many clubs - those who win some prize money, and those who don't.

Durham and Peterlee have failed to persuade the FA to move their FA Cup tie at the Archibalds Stadium from tomorrow to tonight. Both teams thought that it would be a good idea to move the game, but the FA have blocked the move, even though City would have been guaranteed a bigger crowd than normal. A City spokesman said: "The FA have told us that there have to be exceptional circumstances to switch the game." But that won't deter City from trying to stage Friday night matches in the future as their game against West Auckland earlier this month drew a good crowd.

Shildon striker Gary Barnes is not the first player to change his name in the Northern League, according to former secretary Gordon Nicholson. Gordon, who was secretary for 24 years until 1990, can remember an inside forward from Cockfield called George Bowman changing his name to George Ramage just before the war. "There might have been some more, but they would have been wrong 'uns," he added.

West Auckland striker Jonathan Milroy is going to be out for at least two more months. Milroy picked up an injury near the end of last season, and despite intensive treatment, he has had to postpone his comeback. Manager Alan Oliver said: "He tried to play on last season, but it got worse. We don't expect to see him before December."

Former Tow Law mascot Sam Gordon is now pushing for a first team place at Ironworks Road. Sam, 16, rose to fame as Tow Law's mascot at Wembley for their Vase final against Tiverton four years ago, but now he is on the verge of playing in the first team. He has been on the bench in recent matches and manager Graeme Forster said: "He's been at a couple of pro clubs training. We got caught at Marske when Gareth McNary was sent off, so he might as well sit on the bench for us."

Washington manager John Oliver might have unearthed a good find in Danny Battell. The 16 year old has pushed his way into the starting line up in recent weeks, and Oliver said: "He's been with Hartlepool's School of Excellence and he didn't look out of place when he played at right back against Peterlee last week, But we have to be careful with him."

Billingham Synthonia have launched an appeal against the dismissal of central defender Andy Harbron in their 6-1 win over Maltby in the FA Cup last month.

Bedlington have been hit by the news that central defender Warren Teasdale will be missing for at least a month after picking up an injury last week. Former Ashington full back Alex Lawson has been signed from Gateshead.

Brandon have been given a boost by the news that top scorer Steve Huggins could be back within a fortnight. Brandon expected the worst when it was thought that he'd damaged his medial ligament in a game earlier this month, but he has now been told that he can play again in the near future. Manager Kenny Lindoe said: "We've been told that he won't need an operation, and that he'll be back within a fortnight."

Midfielder Andy Cuthbertson has turned down an approach from Gateshead, who also made an unsuccessful attempt to sign defender Anth McStea.

Brandon's 100 per cent record was broken when they lost 1-0 at Durham in an entertaining game. The only goal came after 53 minutes, when former Hartlepool striker Steve Halliday scored with a left foot shot. Second placed Billingham Town failed to close the gap because they lost 2-1 at home to Dunston, who won their second successive away game. Micky Farrey put Dunston in front from the spot after 12 minutes, with David Gallagher equalising two minutes later. Paul Hogg got the winner from a right wing cross after 38 minutes.

Whitley Bay slipped up again at home with a 3-3 draw against Peterlee. Lee Crosby put Peterlee in front from a free kick, but Andy Hay scored twice by the 48th minute to put Whitley in control. They hit the woodwork twice before Peterlee equalised through Crosby's solo goal. The points looked as if they were Whitley's when Lee O'Donovan headed home after 78 minutes, but Anthony Jewson levelled with a low shot just three minutes from the end.

Youngster Lee Alexander scored twice in Marske's 3-1 home win over Jarrow Roofing. He netted twice in the first half, with John Woods adding another before the break, then Jarrow pulled a goal back through Craig Nelson in the dying minutes. Newcastle Blue Star climbed away from danger by defeating Washington 1-0, Martin Bell the scoring early in the game.

Tow Law striker Andy McKenna scored his tenth goal of the season for his side on Tuesday night, but finished on the losing side in a 2-1 defeat against West Auckland. The visitors took the lead through Andrew Rose from a Simon Rogers cross and Roy Allen added the second with another header just before half time. McKenna pulled one back from the spot late in the game.

On Wednesday, Shildon's Charlie Walton scored his first goal of the season to help secure to a 2-1 win over Prudhoe, a result which puts them into the top seven

Guisborough are in fourth place after they came from behind to beat Chester-le-Street at the King George. John Heggarty opened for Chester, but John Outhwaite and Darren Mowbray helped Guisborough back into the game.

Bedlington closed on the leaders thanks to a 1-0 away win at Esh Winning, Andy Fletcher scoring his 7th league goal of the season.

Consett are four points adrift at the bottom after they lost 2-0 at home to Morpeth.

Whickham striker Tommy Scott is now the Second Division's leading scorer with six after he scored a hat trick in their 5-4 thriller at Murton on Tuesday. Easington's Paul Imeson scored for both sides in their 2-2 draw with Willington. He put through his own goal to put Willington into the lead, but salvaged a point in the last minute. Thornaby are third after their 2-1 home win over Alnwick, new signing Richie Storr from Billingham Town amongst the goals. David Hague scored twice for South Shields in their 3-1 win over Shotton, their second successive win. Penrith are still unbeaten after they beat Seaham Red Star 1-0, as are Ashington after they beat Evenwood 3-1. Northallerton moved up the table following their 2-1 win at Norton. Eppleton are off the bottom after they drew 2-2 at Kennek Ryhope CA. Former Hartlepool player Paul Dalton scored one of Crook's goals in their 2-0 win at Hebburn.

Horden advanced in the FA Vase when they beat Woodley Sports 2-1, John Cowley and Kevin Devine scoring in the first half hour.

First Division leading scorers (league only): Andy McKenna (Tow Law) 10, Andy Fletcher (Bedlington) 7 John Milner (Bedlington) 6, Paul Chow (Jarrow Roofing) 6, Micky Dunwell (Durham City) 6, Carl Chillingsworth (Billingham Town) 6, Steve Huggins (Brandon) 5, Tony Wood (Billingham Synthonia) 5 , Craig Nelson (Jarrow Roofing) 5, Roy Allen (West Auckland ) 5, Micky Ward (Marske) 4 , Andy Hay (Whitley Bay) 4, David Taylor (Shildon) 3, Neil Burn (Shildon) 3, Paul Donnelly (Washington) 3, Mark Patterson (Brandon) 3, Andy Cuthbertson (Brandon ) 3, Steve Burns (Esh Winning) 3 Greg Booth (Marske ) 3, Paul Beavers (Morpeth) 3, Mark Rutter (Shildon) 3 George Woodhouse (Billingham Town) 3, Stuart Irvine (Durham City) 3. Jon Sunderland (Whitley Bay) 3, Steve Halliday (Durham City) 3, Lee Alexander (Marske ) 3, Colin Lawton (Morpeth) 3

Second Division: Tommy Scott (Whickham) 7, Adam Johnston (Washington Nissan) 6 Adrian Winder (Murton) 5, Kevin Hay (Whickham) 5, Chris Taylor (Willington) 5, Lee Dixon (Easington) 4, Andrew Wilson (South Shields ) 4, John Wightman (Washington Nissan) 4 , Steve Helens (Murton) 4

The draw for the first round proper of the FA Carlsberg Vase as it affects the North-East clubs is: Brandon v Murton, Pontefract Collieries v Penrith, Esh Winning v Mossley, West Allotment v Flixton, Nelson v Dunston, Garforth v Northallerton, Horden v Ashington, Peterlee v Ossett Albion, Newcastle Benfield Saints v Morpeth, Brodsworth v Billingham Synthonia, Cammell Laird v Shildon, Yorkshire Amateurs v Guisborough.

* Ties to be played on October19th

The draw for the second round of the Albany Northern League cup, to be played in the last week in October: Billingham Synthonia v Norton, Billingham Town v Whitley Bay, Brandon v Crook, Dunston v Esh Winning, Durham City v Marske, Evenwood v Ashington, Hebburn v Horden, Morpeth v Shotton, Murton v Newcastle Blue Star, Penrith v Jarrow Roofing, Peterlee v Prudhoe, Seaham Red Star v Alnwick, Shildon v Thornaby, Tow Law v South Shields, Washington v Consett, Whickham v Bedlington

Tomorrow's fixtures

Albany Northern League Division One

Billingham Synthonia v Marske, Esh Winning v Prudhoe, Morpeth v Whitley Bay, Newcastle Blue Star v Jarrow Roofing, Shildon v Brandon, Washington v Consett

Division Two

Alnwick v Kennek Ryhope CA, Crook v Thornaby, Eppleton v Penrith, Evenwood v Murton, Northallerton v Washington Nissan, Shotton v Ashington, South Shields v Norton, Whickham v Easington, Willington v Hebburn

FA Cup ties involving Northern League clubs: Accrington Stanley v Billingham Town, Bedlington v Vauxhall Motors, Chester-le-Street v Harrogate RA, Colwyn Bay v West Auckland, Dunston v Burscough, Durham City v Peterlee, Horden v Worksop, Hyde v Tow Law

* There is an Albany Durham Challenge cup tie on almost every day next week, according to the fixtures which have been released by Durham FA. If scores are level after 90 minutes in games, then golden goals and penalties will be used. Some matches depend on possible FA Cup replays.

Monday: West Auckland v Sunderland Reserves

Tuesday: Billingham Synthonia v Shildon, Seaham Red Star v Durham City, Spennymoor v Norton

Wednesday: Consett v Harton and Westoe, Esh Winning v Darlington RA, Ryton v Wolviston, Washington v Shotton, Whickham v Washington Nissan,

Thursday: Darlington Reserves v Hebburn

Saturday: Annfield Plain v Murton, Barnard Castle Glaxo v Birtley, Boldon CA v Kennek Ryhope, Cleadon v Tow Law, Ryhope CW v Jarrow, Stanley United v Eppleton,

* Games are being played on Saturday because the home clubs don't have floodlights.