Crook Town are one of many small clubs hoping to take advantage of the prize money on offer in the FA Cup when they take part in the preliminary round tomorrow.

There is £1000 prize money at stake when Crook play Guiseley from the UniBond League, and should Crook win, then the cash will be very welcome indeed, especially if they can embark on a run similar to four seasons ago when they reached the final qualifying round.

Chairman Steve Buddle said: "It's a lot of money for us, and it will go a long, long way to help our running costs.

"At the moment, we're steadily improving the ground. A lot of work has been going on during the summer in laying new hardstanding, improving the floodlights and improving the pitch.

"A load of fundraising has been going on to help us do that, but a little extra from the prize money will go a long way. For example, we can finish repairs to our loudspeaker system, and do something about night lighting.

"It's a hard job raising funds, so this type of prize money is a lifeline. The pity is, it's been reduced this season compared to last year."

When Crook did so well four seasons ago when they eventually lost to Doncaster, there was very little prize money on offer - and if they'd achieved the same in the last two seasons they would have picked up a five figure sum.

"It's great money, and something to aim for," said Buddle. "But it would be a gut-wrencher if we lose. It's a double-whammy nowadays. There's the prestige of getting through, which has always been there, but now the prize money as well."

Crook won their first league game of the season in midweek when a goal by Michael Sutcliffe gave them a 1-0 home win over Evenwood.

Tow Law midfielder Marc Eccles has signed a three year deal with Scottish Third Division club Gretna.

Eccles, who was previously with Crook Town, has been watched in action by the Scots for several months, and they made their move for him after watching him play in pre-season games.

"It was a deal he couldn't turn down," said Tow Law manager Steve Smith.

"He's certainly good enough to make it with them."

Eccles is the second player to leave Tow Law for a pro club in recent seasons - Brian Wake went to Carlisle eighteen months ago. Lawyers and Gretna are hoping to reach an amicable arrangement over the transfer.

Eccles could be followed out of the Tow Law exit door by three others as a trio have been put on the transfer list at their own request.

Steve Smith has agreed to requests from former Spennymoor striker Paul Richardson and midfielders Gavin Naylor and David Bellamy.

Lawyers certainly had a mixed weekend over the Bank Holiday. They were thumped 6-0 at home by Chester-le-Street on Saturday, then they won 1-0 at Esh Winning on Monday afternoon.

"Harsh words were spoken after Saturday's game, because we were embarrassing. We had a goal disallowed, but then we caved in. We bounced back well on Monday, but it didn't help having so many players out."

Former Chester-le-Street manager Paul Bryson has taken over as temporary manager of Consett after Ray Lish was taken to hospital last week with a mild heart attack. Bryson, who was added to the coaching staff during the summer, will be helped by Fred Cresswell.

Whickham hadn't entered the FA Cup for five years, but they marked their return last Saturday with a 3-0 away win at Garforth from the Northern Counties East League. Whickham play their preliminary round tie against Hebburn tonight, kick off 7.30pm.

Oldham Town were thrashed 17-1 in the FA Cup last season by Stocksbridge, so Sky sent a camera crew to last Saturday's game with Northallerton to see how they would fare this season. Sadly for Northallerton, Oldham won 3-2.

Newcastle Benfield Saints' midfielder Stephen Young notched another first for his club last Saturday.

Young, who scored Saints' first goal in the ANL at Seaham a fortnight ago, also scored his team's first goal at home in the 1-1 draw with South Shields.

Meanwhile, Gateshead are keen on Saints striker Graham Craggs, who was signed from Shankhouse during the summer.

Prolific striker Paul Chow of Jarrow Roofing could be out of action for at least a month.

Chow, who pipped Bedlington's John Milner to the leading scorer in the league award last season, picked up an ankle injury at West Auckland last week, but manager Richie McLoughlin said: "We've got cover for him with the new signings we brought to the club during the summer.

"The injury has been building up for a while. He had it near the end of last season, but he was determined to keep playing so that he could be top scorer in the league.

"We've been told that he'll be out for six to eight weeks, but he's a quick healer, and he could be back quicker than that."

The two strikers which McLoughlin refereed to, Gavin Cogden and Adam Johnston, both scored in Roofing's 2-1 FA cup win at their old club Washington Nissan last Saturday. Incidentally, that was Nissan's first ever FA Cup tie.

Washington Nissan manager Wilf Constantine has signed striker Ian Matthews from Tow Law. Matthews played under Constantine at Shotton and Easington.

Durham City are holding an 'Evening with Steve Walklate' in the Sammy Crooks Bar at the Archibalds Stadium in Durham on Sunday, beginning at 8pm.

Billingham Synthonia are hoping their striker Tony Wood will soon be back in action, as long as he's given the all-clear to play with a cast on his arm.

Wood has suffered a broken bone in his arm which has kept him out of action so far this season, but Synners think that he isn't far away from playing, as long as referees allow him to do so.

"Much depends on what the referees think," said secretary Graham Craggs. "A few years ago, we wanted Tommy Connor to play at Selby in similar circumstances, but the referee on that occasion wouldn't allow it. We're hoping that we can convince referees everything is ok."

Easington have pointed out that it was Alex DiGeorgis who scored for them at Hebburn on the opening day of the season, and not Lee Johnson. DiGeorgis, who has played for several Northern League clubs, also scored both Easington goals in their first win of the season against Murton last Saturday.

Northallerton manager Paul Burton admits the pace of the Northern League game has changed since he last played in it.

Burton, appointed manager during the summer after the departure of Peter Mulcaster, last played in the ANL for Whitby Town when they were a Northern League club.

"We played Evenwood at home on the first day of the season, and the pace of the game was an eye-opener for me," he said.

"It's such a fast game, and players don't have a minute to rest on the ball.

"The lads must accept that there will be no easy games, and fitness will be big difference."

Burton sampled victory for the first time as a manager in midweek, when Northallerton beat Norton 3-1.

Washington have lost striker Ben Chambers - at least for the time being.

Chambers, reached double figures in the scoring stakes last season before leaving to play the summer season in New Zealand.

But manager John Oliver has learned that Chambers won't be returning to the club.

"We've heard that he's back from New Zealand, but he's gone to work in Milton Keynes."

Washington will still hold his Northern League registration, should Chambers return to the area.

Darlington are giving a trial to Billingham Town youngster Brian Cole.

The 18-year-old scored both goals at Guisborough last Saturday, and manager lan Robinson said: "He was with Manchester United and Leeds as a junior, but then he got injured, and hadn't played for a while until his dad brought him to us in pre-season. He played for 30 minutes against Darlington, who then asked if they could take him."

Town have a tough FA Cup tie against Brigg Town this Saturday, and Robinson said: "We've got nothing to lose at all against them. We've done well away from home already this season."

Meanwhile Town could be without their midfielder Graeme Baverstock for a month at least.

Baverstock was one of the reasons why Town finished third last season, and manager Alan Robinson said: "He's broken his ankle, so he's going to be a big miss. He might be out for another month, but six or seven weeks is more likely."

Evenwood are staging their home FA Cup tie against Oldham Town tomorrow on West Auckland's ground while work continues on replacing their floodlight system. Excavations have started for the floodlight pylons, and the Northern League, and the FA, have agreed that the club can stage its matches at West Auckland's ground for the time being.

Meanwhile, last Saturday's victory at Norton was the first time manager Ken Houlahan had tasted victory in the FA Cup.

Shildon striker Gary Barnes became the first player this season to score four goals in an ANL game in their 5-1 win at West Auckland on Monday morning. West couldn't handle the Shildon attack after they had Andy Howarth sent off, with Barnes scoring twice in each half. Lee Ellison scored their other goal, with Brian Fairhurst replying for West when the score was 2-0.

Fixtures - Today

FA Cup preliminary round: Whickham v Hebburn

Tomorrow

Division Two: Alnwick v Shotton, Kennek Ryhope CA v Benfield Saints, Norton v Washington Nissan

FA Cup preliminary round: Billingham Synthonia v Chorley (UniBond First), Brigg (Northern Counties East) v Billingham Town, Cheadle (North West Counties) v Chester-le-Street, Crook v Guiseley (UniBond First), Durham v Rossington Main (NCEL), Esh Winning v Bacup Borough (NWCL), Evenwood v Oldham Town (NWCL), Guisborough v Kendal (UBL First), Horden v Brandon, Maine Road (NWCL) v Ashington, Maltby Main (NCEL) v West Auckland, Marske United v Winterton Rangers (NCEL), Newcastle Blue Star v Dunston, Peterlee v Bridlington (UBL First), Prudhoe v Morpeth, Seaham Red Star v Murton, Selby (NCEL) v Washington, Sheffield (NCEL) v Jarrow Roofing, Shildon v Workington (UBL First), South Shields v Bedlington, Thornaby v Easington, Tow Law v Salford (NWCL), Willington v Consett

Sunday

Pickering (NCEL) v Whitley Bay

Tuesday

Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Marske, Esh Winning v Durham, Jarrow Roofing v Billingham Town, Penrith v Morpeth, Tow Law v Dunston

Division Two: Easington v South Shields, Evenwood v Alnwick, Kennek Ryhope CA v Newcastle Blue Star, Murton v Crook, Newcastle Benfield Saints v Whickham, Norton v Shotton, Prudhoe v Northallerton, Willington v Ashington

Wednesday

Division One: Bedlington v West Auckland, Brandon v Thornaby, Guisborough v Whitley Bay, Peterlee v Washington, Shildon v Morpeth

Division Two: Consett v Washington Nissan, Hebburn v Seaham Red Sta