NORTHUMBERLAND FA | SENIOR CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the Newcastle Flooring Senior Cup has been made with eight of our sides playing in the first round and Whitley Bay receiving a bye as last season’s winners.
The First Round draw is as follows:
Blyth Spartans v Newcastle Blue Star
AFC Newbiggin v Newcastle Benfield
Blyth Town v Prudhoe YC Seniors
Newcastle University v Ashington
Alnwick Town v North Shields
Three teams receive a bye to the second round as follows:
Whitley Bay, Heaton Stannington and Morpeth Town
The Emirates FA Cup returns this weekend, with 20 Northern Football League Division One clubs beginning their campaigns in the Extra Preliminary Round.
Several all-Northern League ties feature on the schedule, ensuring that a number of our clubs will progress to the next stage. In County Durham, Birtley Town host recently relegated Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe welcome Kendal Town and Shildon face Blyth Town. Further north, Newcastle Benfield entertain Redcar Town, while Easington Colliery travel to Whitley Bay’s Hillheads Park. The remaining all-Northern League fixture takes place in Cumbria, where Carlisle City host Northallerton Town.
Elsewhere, two clubs will face Step 5 opposition from the Northern Counties East League. Crook Town welcome former Northern League side Pickering Town, while Whickham travel to Knaresborough Town.
The remaining six clubs will test themselves against Step 4 opposition from the Northern Premier League East Division. Penrith and Yarm & Eaglescliffe have home advantage against Bridlington Town and West Auckland Town respectively. Horden CW travel to Ashington’s Woodhorn Lane, while Newcastle Blue Star make the short journey to face Blyth Spartans.
North Shields visit Consett in a repeat of their 2018–19 Extra Preliminary Round meeting, while Thornaby travel to Guisborough Town for the first FA Cup tie between the clubs since the 2003–04 season.
Marske United were originally drawn against Boro Rangers meaning they have received a walkover and will play their first match in the Preliminary Round.
The FA Cup provides clubs with the opportunity to create lasting memories, attract new supporters and test themselves on a national stage. For players, officials, volunteers and supporters, the early rounds remain a special part of the competition, bringing together local rivalries, unfamiliar opponents and the prospect of progressing further in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.
For two of our clubs this Saturday will hopefully be the start of many happy memories as they compete in the competition for the very first time. We spoke to Stephen Jackson (Yarm & Eaglescliffe manager) and Mitch Morris (Redcar Town manager) and here’s what they had to day:
Stephen Jackson: “This is a prestigious moment for the club in our first ever FA Cup game after only existing for 9 years. And what more could we ask for than a home tie against a newly promoted step 4 team and a club steeped in so much history as West Auckland Town.
As much as we are looking forward to the day, we are desperate to advance and progress in the competition. We know it’s going to be a tough ask against an excellent side but we will give it our all.
This is just another step in the club’s rapid progression and we aim to continue moving forward. We hope to get a good crowd in for our inaugural FA Cup game and put on a good performance which will hopefully result in a positive outcome.”
Mitch Morris: “The Emirates FA Cup is a prestigious competition and it’s unbelievable to be playing in it for the first time. Whilst I have played in the competition previously under Andy Campbell while at Norton, it’s a different type of special moment to lead a club from my hometown in the competition.
It will be a tough match against such an established side as Newcastle Benfield and while a win on Saturday would be excellent, a draw and a reply back at The Neeform Stadium midweek would also give our fantastic fans a great experience should it be needed with a home tie against Penrith or Bridlington Town being the prize for the winner.
We are undefeated so far this season with three wins and one draw but forms goes out the window in The FA Cup and we look forward to the game against Newcastle Benfield”
The Northern Football League wishes all competing clubs the very best of luck. With places in the Preliminary Round at stake, we look forward to an exciting afternoon of cup football and strong support across all 14 fixtures.
Luke Duden
Redcar Town joint manager Mitch Morris was “delighted” after his sides’ milestone opening day victory over Newcastle Blue Star.
Town earned promotion to Division One for the first time after success in a gruelling end of season schedule that saw them earn the title of Division Two champions, and there was more to celebrate to start the 2026/27 campaign for the North Yorkshire outfit.
Morris’ men, sharing the dugout with co-manager James Smuk, beat last season’s promotion hopefuls Blue Star, who finished just three points short of a play-off spot in the previous campaign, 3-2 in Scotswood.
Redcar twice came from behind to earn victory and got their maiden soiree at step five off to a winning start, with the grit and determination of his side of little surprise to Morris.
“This group is never down. They’re never defeated. To win the league last year we had 10 games in 21 days, it was a game every two days, and we don’t feel we got enough recognition for it.
“So, we came today and we said ‘we’re going to enjoy ourselves, and do what we’re good at, and the result will take care of itself.’
“We had a good pre-season and the lads know what they can do, and when they put their heads together and stick together we know we’re a good team. We’ve just got to keep consistent, and that’s what we’ve got to do now.”
Morris also looked forward to his sides’ challenging trip to Northern League returnees Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday night, in what will prove a huge test against the 2022/23 champions – who suffered relegation from the Northern Premier League East Division last season.
“We go to Aycliffe on Tuesday, which is massive for the club and it’s massive for us, we’re delighted that we’re going to places like that this year.”
(Photo: Redcar Town FC)
Ahead of today’s fixture between Penrith AFC and Easington Colliery, players, officials and supporters came together to observe a minute’s applause in memory of Brian “Billy” Williams, celebrating the life and remarkable legacy his lifelong dedication to Penrith AFC and Cumbrian football touched countless lives.
Billy dedicated more than 60 years of service to Penrith AFC, fulfilling almost every role at the club, including player, manager, secretary, chairman and groundsman. His commitment to local football will live forever in the memories of many in the Cumberland area.
Billy has led and guided Penrith AFC diligently and always with the best interests of everyone at the forefront of his leadership.
Billy leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of dedication and community spirit that will continue to inspire Penrith AFC and everyone connected a the club to ensure it remains at the centre of the community and progresses both on and off the field.
Ahead of the match a floral tribute was laid on the centre spot of the 3G pitch which Billy was instrumental in developing for the long term future of the club.
A rapture of applause then echoed across the ground to celebrate Billy’s life and achievements.
The wait was finally over last night as the 2026/27 EBAC Northern League season got underway with FC Hartlepool holding Darlington Town to a 0-0 draw at the Eastbourne Sports Complex in front of a crowd of 209.
38 more clubs across our divisions are eager to make the perfect start to a new campaign this afternoon.
In Division One, there are plenty of intriguing opening-day fixtures. Newly-promoted Yarm & Eaglescliffe begin life at Step 5 with a home clash against Newcastle Benfield, while fellow newcomers Redcar Town travel to Newcastle Blue Star in one of the standout ties of the afternoon. Elsewhere, Marske United host Whickham, Horden CW entertain Crook Town, Blyth Town welcome Birtley Town, and Carlisle City face Kendal Town as clubs from across the North East and Cumbria begin what promises to be another highly competitive season.
Division Two also begins with plenty of anticipation. League debutants Seaton Carew mark a historic day for the club with a home fixture against AFC Newbiggin, while returning Stokesley SC travel to Newcastle University after rejoining the competition. There are also opening-day matches between Ryton & Crawcrook Albion and Tow Law Town, Billingham Synthonia and Prudhoe YC Seniors, Boldon CA and Grangetown Boys Club, Chester-le-Street Town and Jarrow, Durham United and Sunderland RCA, Seaham Red Star and Billingham Town, and Alnwick Town against Park View AFC.
With fresh ambitions, new faces and another exciting season ahead, supporters can look forward to an afternoon packed with competitive football as the road to promotion, silverware and local bragging rights begins once again across the EBAC Northern League.
Seaton Carew FC was formed in 1998 and is based at Hornby Park, Hartlepool. Since formation, the club has drastically expanded, now accommodating 45 teams ranging from men’s and women’s teams, children’s teams, older age group teams and panability. All teams play at Hornby Park, which boasts several pitches. The club caters for players as young as 4 years old and expands all the way to a walking football team (aimed at over 50s).
The clubhouse itself is modern and an ideal place for social gatherings, whether that be to take in some live football, enjoy drinks on the upstairs balcony or the benches outside, or watch sport on the TVs.
For Seaton Carew chairman Steve Cockrill, the club’s arrival in the Northern League is the reward for years of careful planning, hard work and patience rather than overnight success.
Although promotion had been considered previously, Cockrill admits the club did not feel ready during its first two opportunities to move up. Instead of rushing the process, Seaton Carew remained focused on building the right foundations. At the third attempt, everything aligned, and with the opportunity to be fast-tracked following a merger ahead of the 2023/24 season, the club was finally in a position to take the step it had been working towards.
“It was always part of a five-year plan to reach the Northern League,” explained Cockrill, who believes preparation away from the pitch was every bit as important as performances on it.
One of the club’s first priorities was ensuring Hornby Park could meet the required standards. A dedicated grounds committee brought together people with a wide range of expertise, from planning and electrical work to groundworks, allowing the redevelopment to progress quickly and efficiently. In many ways, the improvements to the facilities were ahead of the first team’s development, creating the infrastructure needed to support long-term success.
The club also underwent a restructuring behind the scenes, with Danny (Earl) joining as Manager to strengthen the football operation. His experience at Northern Premier League East level and extensive contacts proved invaluable in assembling a competitive squad. Cockrill credits him with creating a stronger dressing room and helping establish the culture needed to compete at a higher level.
The ambitious vision has also attracted strong backing from the local business community, providing greater financial stability and allowing the club to grow with confidence both on and off the pitch.
While the first team continues to make headlines, Cockrill is equally proud of the club’s wider community role. Seaton Carew now boasts around 45 teams across junior, girls’, para and senior football, with three members of the current first-team squad progressing through the club’s own pathway. Developing local talent remains central to the club’s philosophy, while ensuring the first team is financially self-sufficient and never places the wider club at risk.
Looking ahead, Cockrill believes there is every reason for optimism. The club’s return to the Northern League represents an exciting opportunity for both Seaton Carew and the wider community, with solid foundations already in place for future growth.
Attention will also turn to the FA Vase, where Seaton Carew begin their campaign after receiving a bye before a trip to Holker Old Boys. Cockrill describes the draw as a special occasion for the club, its manager, the players and the fantastic fanbase, underlining just how far the club has come on its carefully planned journey.