Shildon miss promotion deadline, but could still move from Dean Street

The FA has announced that over 60 clubs all around the country at step 5 have applied for promotion to the next level, but Shildon’s name isn’t on the list.

Director David Dent said; “We applied, at the very last minute and I don't think we had time to complete all of their forms. We asked the relevant parties to consider our application, obviously they haven't!”

An FA spokeswoman said; “I confirm that as at the closing date of 30th November, we had not received any promotion application from Shildon FC.”

Only Bishop Auckland, who are currently tenth in the table, have applied for promotion to the EvoStik, and they need to finish in the top three. Their ground has already reached the required standard.

On the field, Shildon are at Morpeth, and manager Gary Forrest will probably choose a full strength side. Morpeth, who are 11th, will also be at full strength, except for injured striker Michael Fenwick.

Meanwhile, Shildon’s shareholders meet on Monday night at Dean Street to discuss whether to move across town to Sunnydale Leisure Centre.

Their FA Vase tie against Shaw Lane Aquaforce will now be played at Barnsley’s Oakwell ground on Wednesday. The SLA pitch could be unplayable, so the FA have agreed to the switch.

Bishop Auckland go to Consett, and manager David Bayles adds defenders Lewis Brown and Ben Riding to his squad, but Elliott Woods is missing.

Consett are without defenders David Brown, Ryan Bell and Mick Pearson, while there will be fitness tests for Josh Gray, Scott Martindale, Luke Sullivan and Adam Nicholls. Centre half Dan Madden returns.

Former Darlington defender Steve Foster will be in temporary charge of Whitley Bay when they go to Newcastle Benfield. Foster, who was previously assistant manager, takes over from Leon Ryan, who quit because of work and family reasons after the 4-2 home defeat by neighbours North Shields during the week. Defender Craig MacFarlane will have a fitness test on an ankle injury. Benfield player-manager Steve Bowey is missing because of injury.

Fourth bottom Newton Aycliffe will give new signing Dennis Knight his debut when they go to Bedlington. Former Newcastle player Knight signed for his old West Auckland boss Peter Dixon after less than a month at Seaham Red Star, whom he’d joined after leaving West Auckland. Striker Ashley Coffey and defender Mark Stephenson are also both missing.

Bedlington, who have scored 17 goals in their last two matches, are without Craig Hindmarsh, Colin Morton, Matthew Greenwood and Stephen Little are all injured, while Sean McCafferty returns.

Leaders West Auckland are at West Allotment, whom they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, and manager Anth Smith will have a full squad. West are currently nine points clear at the top.

Allotment, who came from behind to beat Newcastle Benfield in midweek, are without Michael Hall and Chris Douglass because of injury, while Marc Dummett, Ian Dunn and Sean Reid will all have fitness tests.

Bottom club Crook Town, who have won only once this season, are at home to Durham City, and manager Peter Mulcaster hopes to include at least three new signings after their 11-1 trouncing last weekend.

City are without defender Chris Wallace because of suspension, while striker Kyle Fryatt is doubtful with a groin injury.

Marske United, who are third, are at home to Celtic Nation, and strikers Danny Brunskill and Joe Melvin return after suspension, while midfielder Austin Johnston and Sam Garvie return after injury. The Nation, who are five points above the relegation zone, are missing Dean Crozier and Lee Hoolickin.

Guisborough who have climbed up to sixth after winning their last three matches, are at home to Ashington, and they are missing Callum Martin, and midfielders James Risborough and Chay Liddle, while Connor Smith, Liam McPhillips and Ben Jackson all return. Ashington include new striker Doug McClelland, signed from Alnwick, but they are without strikers Tony Stephenson and Glen Taylor because of suspensions and defender Richard Flynn because of injury.

Jarrow Roofing, who are fourth, are at home to Dunston UTS, one place below them. Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin welcomes back Dan Carson, Shaun Vipond, Alan Greenan and Kieran Whitehead, while midfielder Wayne Phillips will have a fitness test. Dunston, who are a point behind them, welcome new signing Dan Smith back into the squad, as well as Gareth Williams.

Third bottom Billingham Synthonia, who picked up a good point in midweek at Consett, are at home to second placed North Shields, and welcome midfielder Kris Hughes back after injury, while Jonathan Coleby is also added to the squad. Shields are missing their top scorer Gareth Bainbridge because of injury, while midfielders Denver Morris and Kieran Wrightson are both doubtful. Full backs Stuart Donnison and John Grey both return.

Second bottom Sunderland RCA, who have seven games in hand on Synners, are at home to Penrith, and they include new signing James Rowe from Wolviston, while keeper Kyle Morris, striker Tony Coe and defender Luke Richardson all return. However, Gary Wood and Lewis Wood are both unavailable. Michael Charlton, Clayton Davies and Joe Hughes will all have fitness tests. Penrith are eighth bottom but could be pulled into the relegation scrap if they lose.

In the second division, Tow Law’s new management team of Steve Murray and Kevin Dixon take charge for the first time at Stokesley, who are one place above them. They give debuts to new signings Thomas Flowers, Nathan Burnett and Greg Halliday, but Paul Greenwell and John Hewitson are both suspended.

Stokesley, who are a point above Tow Law, are without Wilf Dinsdale and Danny Jones, while Jake Marron, Ste Roberts and Nathan Calvert all return to the squad.

Leaders Norton are at home to Hebburn, and they welcome back defender Dale Mulligan and striker Gary Mitchell, while striker Nicky Martin is doubtful because of injury Hebburn, in fifth, are without their top scorer, 27 goal Channon North and defender Ross Toward because of suspension, so Josh Allan will play up front.

Seaham Red Star in second, host Thornaby, and they will be without their top scorer, Sonny Andrews because of a cruciate injury, but Lee Kerr and Dean Nicholson both return after suspension as well as Chris Storey. Striker Liam McBryde is also a big doubt. Thornaby have signed defender Matty Crossen from Stokesley.

Seaham are unbeaten in their last 17 league games.

Washington, who have lost only once in their last seven league games, go to Ryhope CW, and will be at full strength. Ryhope are without suspended defender Daryll Evans, but Paul Braithwaite and Chris Trewick both return.

Billingham Town are at fourth placed Team Northumbria and are hoping that Stuart Browne can return after injury, while Michael Dalton returns after suspension.

Darlington RA go to Alnwick, and they include new keeper Joe Williamson, but midfielder Jamie Smith plays last game because of work commitments. Defender Grant Hickman will have a fitness test.

RA manager Warren Moncur is still looking for an assistant to work alongside him.

Second bottom Esh Winning are at Birtley, and they have a full squad except for Paul Richardson who is suspended. Birtley are missing Kai Hewitson, who scored twice last week, and captain Paul Oxley, but they have signed Jamie Henderson from Tow Law, while Durham County junior Callum Boakes is also included in the squad.

Bottom club Brandon are looking for a much-needed second away win of the season at Ryton and Crawcrook, and they include Vinny Gash after signing him from Tow Law, but striker David Rush is injured.

Willington go to Whickham and manager Rob Lee will be missing several players because of injury.

Chester-le-Street are at home to Heaton Stannington, and they will be missing defender Kevin Dixon because of suspension and midfielder Craig Marron because of work commitments. Heaton, who are in sixth place welcome back striker Lee Johnson after suspension, but keeper Dan Rule is out because of suspension.

In the EvoStik League premier division, FA Cup heroes Blyth are at home to Matlock, and Whitby have a difficult away game at Skelmersdale.