The Albany Northern League

Under league rules, Eppleton are supposed to send their registration forms and match result forms as soon as possible to the league after signings and matches are completed.

But no paperwork has been forthcoming from the club since near the start of the season, and the league discussed the situation with the club a fortnight ago.

The league discussed the action to be taken at last Thursday's management meeting, and decided on the fine - as well as deducting the club six points for fielding an ineligible player on two occasions.

League secretary Tony Golightly said: "We have done everything possible to help them on more than one occasion.

"We have reminded them that the paperwork hasn't been forthcoming, and the Registrations Secretary even offered to go and help them complete the forms personally."

Under league rules, a club has five days to return a match result sheet to the league. It is a £10 fine for the first day, and £5 for every day thereafter, Considering that some reports hadn't been submitted for games in August, then the fine in some instances was almost £400.

The league suspended £2000 of the fine, but will almost certainly apply that figure if the administration doesn't improve.

The news come at an inopportune time for the club, because Sunderland City Council has just announced a £3.1 million redevelopment of all the facilities at Welfare Park.

Consett manager Colin Carr has revealed that defender Jeff Sugden played through the pain barrier in Consett's FA Vase tie at fortnight ago.

Sugden came back from a long term injury only a few days before the game at Arnold Town, and played in the back four in a game which Consett lost 2-1.

"Jeff played the game in a lot of pain," said Carr.

"I had my doubts about him in the week leading up to the game, but he assured me that he would be fit.

"He didn't let us down at all. It's typical Jeff - he's been playing through the pain barrier for 13 years."

Cautious Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe has set his side a target of four wins for safety by the end of the season.

Brandon have been very inconsistent this season after topping the table early on in the campaign.

However, following last Saturday's home defeat by Whitley Bay, they have now dropped down into midtable, well out of contention.

"Our priority now is to get four wins to make us safe," said Lindoe.

"We shouldn't struggle to get four wins, but the sooner we do, then the better.

"It's a shame the season's gone like this, but quite a few things have disrupted it. Players such as Andy Burton have been injured, Andy Purvis is going around the world, while at the start of the season we lost Mark Patterson to Queen of the South, and he didn't come back until well after the season started. And now it looks as if we're going to lose Anth McStea to Wolves."

Billingham Synthonia are hoping to end their barren run when they play at home to Ashington tomorrow.

Synners' 4-1 defeat at Chester-le-Street last Saturday means that they have now picked up just three points out of the last 30 - their worst run since they returned to the First Division over a decade ago.

Whitley Bay manager Andy Gowens is delighted with a home draw in the fourth round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Whitley, one of five Northern League clubs left in the competition, are at home to unknown Milton Keynes City - their first home tie in two seasons.

"It will be a hard game," said Gowens. "Apparently, they're doing quite well in their league, so we can't take them for granted. But we can't grumble, at least we're at home with extra time to beat them if we need it."

The victories by Durham City and Tow Law in their replays last weekend makes the draw as it affects the North-East look like this; Bedlington v Brigg Town, Whitley Bay v Milton Keynes, Taunton v West Auckland, Ash United v Tow Law and Dereham v Durham City. Ties are to be played on January 19.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery, whose side face former winners Brigg Town, says that their game is the tie of the round, and that over 1000 fans will be probably be inside Welfare Park for the game.

West Auckland are still looking for a financial backer to cover their transport costs to Taunton in the next round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

West face a £2000 bill for a 600-mile round trip to Somerset for the fourth round tie against the holders, and have appealed for local business to sponsor their travel costs.

General manager Stuart Alderson can be contacted on 01388-834211.

Thornaby assistant manager Micky Watson says that the side has hit a bad patch.

After a good start to the season, a run of seven straight league defeats has seen Thornaby drop perilously close to the relegation zone.

But Watson believes that his side won't get sucked into the relegation battle.

"We've got ourselves into a rut. We've been giving away silly goals, and that's been the story of our season.

"I don't think we're a bottom three side - one or two wins will see us pull away from trouble.

"Some of the players we've got haven't been in a scrap before, so I'm expecting our recent signings to take us up the league."

Bedlington midfielder Robbie Cockburn is attracting Football League scouts to Welfare Park.

Cockburn has been a big hit for the Terriers since his move from Alnwick last season, and he scored a hat trick for Bedlington in their 8-0 demolition of bottom club Seaham Red Star last Saturday.

"I think Robbie can step up higher," said joint manager Tony Lowery. He's got plenty of pace, and has caused defences loads of problems this season."

Scouts are also thought to be keeping an eye on Tony Chapman, who plays on the opposite of midfield.

Durham defender Michael Canavan has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks.

The former Middlesbrough player picked up a shoulder injury in the game against Raunds Town last Saturday, and it's likely that he'll miss the fourth round tie at Dereham Town.

Canavan's departure from the field meant that Gary Bennett moved back into defence, and played alongside his old Sunderland team mate, Richard Ord.

The draw for the quarter finals of the Albany Durham Challenge cup is: Jarrow Roofing v Bishop Auckland, Gateshead v Crook, Chester-le-Street v South Shields, Billingham Town v Willington.

The games at Jarrow and Gateshead have been arranged for January 2, while Chester are playing South Shields on January 8.