The Northern League has warned its Second Division clubs that they could be kicked out of the league if they don't reach minimum ground standards.

The League is concerned that complacency is spreading amongst its Second Division clubs, because until now, there hasn't been much threat of relegation because there has been no relegation and promotion agreement with the feeder leagues.

However, the league is demanding achievement of its current standards. League chairman Mike Amos said: "There's no specific figure on a number of clubs not conforming, just a general feeling that a number of clubs in the Second Division have done no work on their grounds for a long time and that they are unacceptably deteriorating. It's certainly true that some clubs need to buck up their ideas and avoid complacency.

"In some cases there may be a feeling that because they're unlikely to be pushing for promotion, that it doesn't matter, but we have the power to expel clubs who don't meet criteria, and committee members have been asked to be vigilant on their travels."

And there's plenty of incentive for clubs to reach the required standards, once promotion and relegation starts with the Wearside League and Northern Alliance at the end of this season.

"It could be , for example, that if a club were relegated from division two because their ground doesn't meet criteria, that the second bottom club wouldn't go down."

Billingham Town's hopes of being given £1000 prize money by the FA this weekend have been dashed.

The draw for the preliminary round of the FA Cup was made in early June, and Town were paired with Gretna, who were then in the UniBond League First Division.

However, the Scots were elected to the Scottish Third Division in mid June, and were obliged to resign from the FA Cup, giving Billingahm a bye to the first qualifying round.

Town secretary Glenn Youngman said: "The FA told us that we would receive a bye, and nothing else. We were hopeful that because they give away so much in prize money, that they would give us what was at stake at this stage, but they refused."

Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is approaching the competition in a very sensible manner.

Forster missed his side's 3-1 away win at Whitley Bay on Saturday in order to watch Tadcaster Albion, who Lawyers play tomorrow, in Northern Counties East League action.

"There is a lot of money at stake in this competition," Forster said.

"If we win on Saturday, it is worth £1,000 prize money to us. And if we win in the next round, then that's another £7500. It's worth missing a league game to go and watch Tadcaster."

Brandon have been waiting for international clearance for two of their players.

Striker Andy Purvis has been travelling the world over the last few months, and has been playing for a club in Australia.

Defender Anth McStea, who had a trial at Wolves earlier in the year, has been at Livingston in the Scottish Premier League.

However, under FA rules, both players needed international clearance before they can play for Brandon.

Bedlington midfielder Nicky Scaife is going to be out of action for at least two months.

Scaife, who was signed from Dunston during the summer along with teammate Andy Fletcher, picked up an injury against Durham in the Cleator Cup.

Joint manager Tony Lowery said: "He's cracked a bone in his foot, so he's going to be out of action for at least two months."

Bedlington, meanwhile, overcame their habitual slow start to the season when they lost to Jarrow Roofing on the opening day, by thrashing Morpeth 6-0 on Bank Holiday Monday.

"We didn't play at all well against Jarrow," said Lowery.

"But once we get going, we'll be a threat again.

"Some people think that we should win every game, but it doesn't work like that. There will be several teams in with a chance of the title - to make us strong favourites doesn't make sense."

Shildon chairman Gordon Hampton has scotched rumours that he is quitting the club.

Hampton has been in the chair for over a year, and there have been strong rumours that the local businessman had walked out of the club.

But Hampton said: "I can firmly deny the whispers that are going about. I'm still the chairman of the club, and we're all looking forward now to further redevelopment of the ground, and further success on the field."

Shildon have been involved in some high scoring games already this season.

There have been 25 goals in total scored in their games, 11 for and 14 against.

And on Saturday, they're up against Ryan Giggs' brother Rhodri, who scored a hat-trick for Salford City against Marske United last Saturday. "We couldn't handle him" said Marske manager Micky Hodgson.

Tow Law striker Andy McKenna is the leading scorer so far in the league this season with seven goals, scoring two hat-tricks in the process against Blue Star and Esh Winning.

First Division leading scorers (league only): Andy McKenna (Tow Law) 7, Paul Chow (Jarrow Roofing) 5, John Milner (Bedlington) 4, Steve Huggins (Brandon) 3, Craig Nelson (Jarrow Roofing) 3, David Taylor (Shildon) 3, Neil Burn (Shildon) 3, Paul Donnelly (Washington) 3, Roy Allen (West Auckland) 3.

Second Division: Adrian Winder (Murton) 5, Chris Taylor (Willington) 5, Lee Dixon (Easington) 4, Stuart Morris (Seaham Red Star) 3, Adam Johnston (Nissan) 3, Tommy Scott (Whickham) 3.

Consett start their FA Youth Cup campaign on Sunday when they take on Witton Albion in the first qualifying round at Belle Vue. Chester-le-Street are at home to Southport next Thursday, and Prudhoe host Yorkshire Amateurs on Saturday, September 7.

The League has threatened to ban three clubs for failing to pay debts to the league. If Murton, Marske and Alnwick haven't paid their outstanding cash within a week, then the league says that the clubs will be banned.

After an appearance at the league management meeting last Thursday night, Prudhoe striker Steve Hamil was told that he could sign for any club in the league. Dunston took advantage and signed him in time for their FA Cup tie this weekend at Thornaby.

Craven Cup first round draw: A Easington v Kennek Ryhope CA, B South Shields v Northallerton, C Thornaby v Eppleton, D Evenwood v Murton.

Second round: Horden v winner of B, Seaham Red Star v Shotton, Alnwick v Norton, winner of C v Washington Nissan, Ashington v Whickham, winner of D v Winner of A, Hebburn v Penrith, Willington v Crook.

Tomorrow's fixtures - FA Cup preliminary round: Alnwick v Crook, Ashington v Colne, Bedlington v Brodsworth, Chester-le-Street v Hall Road Rangers, Easington v Hebburn, Evenwood v Durham City, Farsley Celtic v Seaham Red Star, Glasshoughton v Jarrow Roofing, Guisborough v Blackpool Mechanics, Hatfield Main v Shotton, Horden v Trafford, Morpeth v Woodley Sports, Nelson v Bishop Auckland, Peterlee v Billingham Synthonia, Selby Town v Newcastle Blue Star, Sheffield v West Auckland, Shildon v Salford City, South Shields v Hallam, Spennymoor v Consett, Thornaby v Dunston, Tow Law v Tadcaster Albion, Warrington v Esh Winning, Washington v North Ferriby, Whitley Bay v Harrogate RA, Willington v Atherton Collieries.

Albany Northern League Division One: Billingham Town v Prudhoe, Brandon United v Marske.

Division Two: Kennek Ryhope CA v Murton, Northallerton v Whickham, Washington Nissan v Eppleton.