Albany Northern League round-up

The Nationwide Conference has announced the formation of North and South Divisions, using clubs from its three feeder leagues and a new Midland League, and will be named the Football Alliance, administered by the Conference and its feeders.

And the FA appear to have informed Amos that the ANL won't be touched, allaying fears that the UniBond might want more clubs to replace those who depart for the Conference.

"I didn't know anything about these new proposals until the weekend," said Amos.

"I've contacted Greg Fee at the FA, and he has told me that the effects on our level will be minimal and that no leagues will lose their position in the pyramid. It appears that the UniBond League will lose around 16 clubs, and will probably operate with just one division."

Discussions and arguments about the pyramid reorganisation have been ongoing for several years, and Amos said: "I think like a lot of football people, I am growing weary of the whole thing."

The new league begins at the start of season 2004-05.

Meanwhile, Amos is preparing for ground inspections of Second Division clubs which begin next week. Clubs who are hoping to be promoted should be up to standard, and if they're not, then the league has stated that those clubs won't be promoted.

Durham City boss Billy Cruddas has praised Sporting Club Sunderland for helping their injury crisis.

City were without nine players for last Saturday's 5-0 home win over Newcastle Blue Star so the Durham Alliance club agreed to help them out.

Cruddas said: "I saw them play in a cup final on our ground and I asked if I could use a couple of their players.

"They agreed immediately, so defender Paul Moat played for us on Wednesday against Brandon, and Lee Butler was also in the team on Saturday against Newcastle Blue Star.

"Both of them have made a big impact in the games they've played for us.

Lee created two goals for us last week, and scored another, which was great. They'll be helping us out for the rest of the season.

Shildon manager Ray Gowan believes that their poor start to the season might cost his side a high placing.

Shildon are pushing for a top four placing, but that might be beyond their reach after they were beaten 2-1 at Washington last Saturday.

"Our early season might cost us," said Gowan.

"We lost a couple of games when we shouldn't have done, but at least over the last few weeks we've stopped conceding comedy goals.

"We've got plenty of competition for places. We're still hoping to finish as high as possible - we owe it to the chairman to do that."

Tow Law's League cup tie with Marske has been switched to this Saturday.

The game was originally down for last Tuesday night, but as both clubs are without a league game this week, the league has agreed the switch.

The league rules state that all League cup ties should be played under floodlights, but the league has agreed to switch to Saturday so that the game will get a bigger gate.

Bedlington defender Warren Teesdale has left the club after six years, and joined Northern Alliance club West Allotment. The move is a surprise because Teesdale has been a regular throughout his time at Welfare Park.

Eppleton boss Wilf Constantine says that every game is crucial in the run in to the end of the season.

Eppleton lost 1-0 at home to Seaham Red Star last Saturday, and with Crook and Norton both overtaking them, they are now in the drop zone along with Willington.

"We have got six cup finals to play," said Constantine. "The players must keep battling away."

Two of their remaining games are against Willington, which could determine who is relegated.

Washington Nissan are hoping to play their last home game of the season on Friday, April 25 instead of the following day. Sunderland are due to play Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on the Saturday, and Nissan don't want their gate to be affected. The idea has been put to Ashington, who are also pushing for promotion.

Several Northern League clubs are monitering Carl Pepper's situation after the former Darlington midfielder left Blyth after three seasons with the Croft Park club.

Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe says that there are no easy games in the Northern League.

Brandon and Bedlington are neck and neck in what has become a two horse title race, and Lindoe knows that his players can't take anything for granted.

"We beat Prudhoe last Saturday, and they didn't look like a team which is in relegation trouble.

"I saw them play the previous midweek, and they gave Billingham Town a tough game as well.

"We've also had to be at our best to beat teams below them in the table, so it's a testimony to the strength of the Northern League that a team near the top can't just turn up in order to beat teams near the bottom."

South Shields' home game with Whickham on Saturday will be their 1000th league game since they were re-formed in the 1970s.

Brandon's win at Seaham Red Star in the Northern League Cup on Tuesday night means that there will be no Second Division clubs in the semi final.

Brandon strolled to a 5-1 victory, with goals from Andy Cuthbertson (2), John Ewart, Mark Patterson and Andy Purvis, with David Jeffers scoring for Seaham when the score was 4-0.

Shildon beat Morpeth for the second time in a fortnight, thanks to a goal by Nigel Bolton at Dean Street. Shildon also hit the woodwork twice.

Billingham Synthonia beat Bedlington for the second time in four days to reach the semi finals. Chris Fawcett scored twice for Synners.

All but one of the First Division league games on Tuesday night ended in draws. Consett had a good 1-1 draw at Dunston, with Colin McLeod equalising with a penalty after Micky Farrey headed Dunston into the lead.

However, they didn't close the gap on Prudhoe, who drew 0-0 with Washington.

Peterlee drew 2-2 with Esh Winning at Eden Lane, while Jarrow Roofing and Durham shared a goalless draw.

Chester-le-Street beat Guisborough thanks to a goal by Danny O'Brien after 21 minutes.

In the second division, Penrith are now fourth after they beat Washington Nissan 2-0 with goals from Andrew Wright and Wayne Robertson.

Norton thought they were on their way to three valuable points at Kennek Ryhope CA when they led 1-0, but then the lights went out and the match had to be abandoned.

Eppleton also rans into light problems when their home game with Horden was postponed on Wednesday night because of faulty floodlights, while Whickham's home game with Alnwick was held up for 15 minutes because of an injury to the referee.

Evenwood are through to the semi finals of the Craven Cup after they beat Willington 1-0 thanks to a first half goal by Kristian Dinsley.