The Albany Northern League

The league's initiative is in aid of charity, and chairman Mike Amos - who will also be doing the run along with league president George Courtney and committee man Joe Burlison - said: "We've been part of the North-East for 112 years and want to send a message not only that we're still very much up and running but that we are aware of the needs of those less fortunate.

"We're confident that all our clubs will realise why we're doing this and be eager to nominate a representative."

The charities to benefit are Marie Curie cancer Care and the HT Pilgrimage Trust.

Dunston Federation improved their title chances on Tuesday night when they beat Durham City 2-1 at Federation Park. In a hard-fought and highly-entertaining encounter, Dunston took the lead from the penalty spot after a foul by Micky Vasey and Andy Fletcher scored. Durham levelled when Micky Taylor raced clear but Dunston got the winner five minutes from time when Fletcher scored with a header from an Andy Elliott cross.

The result was a blow to charitable Durham in their chase for the title as they helped Dunston to clear the surface of standing water before the game.

The match was under threat in the morning, but Durham offered to lend a hand and sent several people to help the Dunston groundstaff. Dunston had several players missing for various reasons, so Durham's efforts backfired on them.

Chester-le-Street maintained their recent improvement when they beat Seaham 2-0.

Martin Bowes put them in front with a shot from the edge of the box in the first-half, then substitute Paul Conlon, who was helping the side out, added the second after half time.

Second bottom Hebburn were thumped 7-0 at home by Whitley Bay. Paul Symons and Ian Chandler put Hebburn 2-0 up by the 25th minute, then Steve Cuggy scored a hat trick by midway through the second half. Andy Bowman and Keith Mills rounded off the scoring. Peterlee joined Bedlington in second place with a 3-2 win over Easington who claimed a handball offence led to the winner.

After Easington's Andy Allen was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg early in the game, Paul Hinton crossed for Brian Fairhurst to head Peterlee in front after 28 minutes. Aaron Scott levelled from a Gary Errington cross seven minutes later, but John Outhwaite quickly restored Peterlee's lead from a rebound. Errington equalised from the spot after Scott was brought down after 69 minutes, but Outhwaite set up Hinton for the winner three minutes later, with the Easington defence claiming handball.

In the Second Division, Washington beat Horden 2-0. Steve Burns crossed for Paul Robinson to open the scoring after six minutes, and after Horden missed a penalty through Tommy Garside, John Kelly scored with a 35-yard free kick to make it 2-0.

l Dunston have been voted the league's team of the month for January. They won three and drew two of their matches during the month, including a 13-0 win over Crook Town

Northallerton Town's Andrew Brown could be facing a long league ban after he was dismissed against Shildon last month for allegedly head butting an opponent. The league is awaiting the decision of North Riding FA before imposing their own punishment,

The draw for the league cup semi finals is: Guisborough or Bedlington v Brandon or Billingham Town, South Shields or West Auckland v Marske or Easington

Craven Cup, semi-final pairings: Penrith or Esh Winning v Alnwick or Thornaby, Shotton or Prudhoe v South Shields or Whickham.

l The league has decided to extend the season to May 19, with several clubs facing the prospect of three games per week in April and May.

l The league has told Second Division clubs that if their grounds aren't up to First Division standard, they will not be promoted even if they finish in the top three.

A programme of inspections is to be arranged before the end of the season.

l A space ace Soccarena indoor soccer complex at Durham City has been given the go-ahead.

Work on the £3.5m. scheme involving 14 six-a-side indoor soccer pitches on the latest artificial turf will start later this year after detailed planning was granted last week.The ambitious project is the brainchild of president and chairman Stuart Dawson who is funding it himself. "There is still the possibility of a grant being available, but the scheme will go ahead," said Dawson.

"The indoor pitches will be available for clubs, schools and individuals to hire for casual and league games," he said.

"This development will guarantee the future of the football club," said Dawson who is gradually developing the whole of his 23-acre Belmont site for which he also has outline planning permission for a pub, hotel and other businesses.

He is confident of getting his money back on the Soccarena. "It is a good, commercial development," he said.

The jam on the bread for Dawson is that the Durham City team is currently riding high at the top of the Albany Northern League first division, although rivals Bedlington are favourites to retain their league title because of their games in hand.

"I am delighted at the progress of the team since Brian Honour took over as manager just over a year ago," said Dawson.

"Brian has brought in a whole squad of new players. We are playing the best football I have seen at New Ferens Park for ten years. The crowds are enjoying it and attendances are up."

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Durham City 31 19 5 7 80 34 62

Bedlington 24 18 2 4 72 18 56

Peterlee 26 17 4 5 53 34 55

Dunston 25 16 5 4 65 31 53

Billingham Syn 25 15 4 6 60 42 49

Brandon 25 11 5 9 47 37 38

Marske 20 10 5 5 34 20 35

Guisborough 26 10 5 11 40 39 35

Chester-le-Street 24 11 1 12 42 32 34

West Auckland 23 9 5 9 33 36 32

Jarrow Roofing 28 8 8 12 45 52 32

Seaham 24 10 2 12 42 67 32

Billingham Town 19 9 4 6 35 23 31

Tow Law 22 9 3 10 47 40 30

Whitley Bay 22 9 3 10 43 36 30

Consett 23 9 3 11 32 40 30

Newcastle BS 22 8 5 9 33 43 29

Easington 20 5 2 13 29 47 17

Morpeth 25 4 5 16 27 57 17

Hebburn 26 3 4 19 24 72 13

Crook Town 24 1 2 21 19 109 5

Division Two

Thornaby 24 14 6 4 55 37 48

Ashington 21 14 3 4 62 28 45

Horden 24 13 4 7 31 26 43

Willington 25 11 9 5 46 26 42

Washington 22 11 8 3 42 20 41

Northallerton 20 10 7 3 52 22 37

Esh Winning 22 11 4 7 47 33 37

South Shields 23 10 7 6 51 38 37

Norton 23 9 7 7 32 35 34

Ryhope CA 26 7 9 10 34 39 30

Shildon 26 8 6 12 29 40 30

Shotton 21 6 9 6 37 40 27

Murton 22 7 4 11 39 49 25

Alnwick 21 5 9 7 30 33 24

Prudhoe 25 7 3 15 41 53 24

Penrith 19 5 8 6 23 32 23

Whickham 25 5 6 14 35 54 21

Evenwood 20 5 4 11 20 54 19

Eppleton 27 1 5 21 25 69 8