Tow Law’s new manager Steve Murray wants Ironworks Road to be a difficult place for opposing teams to visit again.

Murray, who was appointed joint manager with former player Kevin Dixon earlier in the week, says that Lawyers’ home form of only one league win has to improve quickly to give them a chance of avoiding the dreaded drop out of the league. They’re currently third bottom of the ENL second division.

“We must make Ironworks Road a difficult and unpleasant place to come to,” he said. “I remember when I was at Ryton we knew how to play on the slope there, and how to adapt to the conditions. We always used to try and make the opposing defence turn on different parts of the field.

“Teams used to be worried about coming to Tow Law, but that doesn’t seem to be the case recently. We have to make it unpleasant again.”

Murray was involved for over a decade at Ryton, helping them into the Northern League, and he admits that when he met the Tow Law committee to talk about the manager’s job, the management bug returned.

“People have asked why I’ve wanted to come to Tow Law in December! After I left Newcastle, I played for the club for three games when Stuart Leeming was manager, and before that my dad played in the late 50s and early 60s.

“Kevin is a legend at the club. He played for Tow Law when Billy Bell was manager, and then he went on to a pro career at Carlisle and Hartlepool. So we both have a strong affinity with the club.

“Tow Law also has one of the best histories in the league. They’ve been in the league a long time, and it’s not all that long ago when they won the league and reached the Vase final. The club has a sound fan base, and it’s got the potential for quite a few more.

“I’ve known the secretary, Steve Moralee, for a number of years, and we met to talk about the job on a couple of occasions. I met the committee last Sunday, and they were fantastic. I asked them if they are a football club with a bar, or a pub with a football team – and they’re very passionate about being a football club. They are football people, they were very honest and open.”

Murray and Dixon start managerial life together with the club third bottom of the table, and Esh Winning and Brandon breathing down their necks.

“The club is in a relegation battle, and looking over our shoulders at the two clubs below us. Hopefully we can bring in two or three new players, and when we’ve seen a game or two, decide where we need to strengthen. At the moment, we’re really hoping that there’s a semblance of a strong spine throughout the side.”

After he left Tow Law, 54 year old Dixon went on to play for Carlisle, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and York, and achieved fame in Hartlepool when he scored a hat trick against Manchester United in a pre season friendly.

Whitley Bay are looking for a new manager following the decision of Leon Ryan to quit after Tuesday’s 4-2 home defeat by North Shields.

Whitley were left in mid table after the defeat, just days after they were knocked out of the FA Vase by Dunston. A month ago they were humbled 6-1 in the Brooks Mileson League Cup by Second Division Seaham Red Star.

Ryan won the Vase twice with Whitley as a player, and then again with Spennymoor with 2013. He returned as a player soon after the Vase win.

“I went into the job knowing that it was a big commitment and was proud to accept it,” he said.

“I gave everything I could for the club but combined with the pressures of work, which involves travelling across the country every week, it has left me with insufficient time to devote to my young family.

“I gave everything I’d got for the club but I feel I now need time to recharge my batteries.”

Ryan took over as manager last February following the departure of Ian Chandler, who had led Whitley to a league title and three Vase final victories in his time at the club.

North Shields assistant manager Andy Bowman says that the club’s youngsters have matured in the last year.

The second division champions have maintained their momentum from last season’s title success by reaching the last 32 of the FA Vase and a top three spot in the first division, and Bowman believes their success is down to the growing maturity of their players.

“We didn’t really add to the squad that won the second division last season. All Graham Fenton (the manager) and I have done is to instill in the players that they have to be on their mettle in every game.

“The lads have been fantastic this season. They have a great attitude, and train really well. They’ve grown up in this league, and turned into very good Northern League players. The senior players are probably Gareth Bainbridge and John Parker, and all the rest are youngsters. It all seems to be going in the right direction.

“We’re doing well in the league and the Vase. We’re not expecting to win them, but we’re happy to be in both.”

Seaham Red Star have suffered a blow with the news that top scorer Sonny Andrews could be out for the rest of the season.

Andrews had scored 19 league goals this season plus another eight in a Vase victory at Esh Winning until he was injured in a league game a fortnight ago.

And the club’s worst fears have been realized with the news that the former Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland striker has suffered knee ligament damage and is unlikely to play again this season.

“Losing Sonny is a blow, but we have to overcome that. His absence didn’t help last Saturday when we lost to North Shields in the Vase, but neither did the absence of other players,” said manager Mark Collingwood.

“It’s a matter now of moving on, and how we react from these events. I honestly thought that we would have a good run in the Vase, we didn’t want our dreams to end.”

Sonny’s absence means that there will be no shootout on January 3rd with his brother Rocky, who has been banging the goals in for Norton.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett says that his team must forget about their FA Vase exit and concentrate on keeping their standards high for the rest of the season.

Marske disappointingly lost 3-2 at Consett after extra time in the third round of the Vase last weekend, and now their fans will be hoping that their season doesn’t slide as it did last season following their exit from the FA Cup.

“We’re still trying to put a decent squad together, I’ve only been at the club for five months,” he said.

“Consett’s pitch is an advantage to them, it really suits the way they want to play, plus they’re well-organised.

“We’ve still got plenty to look forward to this season. We’re chasing the league and a couple of cups, so we’ve got to move on.”

Striker Jamie Owen showed why he is one of the league’s top scorers with both Marske goals at Consett last weekend, and Jarrett said; “For Jamie to have scored so many goals by the first weekend in December is terrific. Let’s hope he continues in the same vein of form.”

LEADING SCORERS (League Only)

Division One:

18 John Campbell (Jarrow Roofing, now Oxford United),

17 Lee Scott (Bedlington),

16 Paul Brayson (Newcastle Benfield), Paul Chow (Whitley Bay), Matty Moffat (West Auckland), Jordan Nellis (Bedlington)

15 Gareth Bainbridge (North Shields), Michael Chilton (Morpeth), Michael Mackay (Consett),Jamie Owens (Marske),

14 John Butler (Bishop Auckland)

13 Robert Briggs (West Auckland),Danny Earl (Guisborough), ,

Division Two:

27 Mark Davison (Washington), Channon North (Hebburn),

20 Adam Shanks (Alnwick), Chris Winn (Washington)

19 Sonny Andrews (Seaham Red Star), James Fairley (Washington),

16 Ben Dibb-Fuller (Team Northumbria),

15 Danny McLachlan (Northallerton), Jonathan Wright (10 for Heaton Stannington, 5 for Jarrow Roofing)

14 Kai Hewitson (Birtley), David Palmer (Seaham Red Star)