THE fixtures for the 2026/27 Ebac Northern League Division Two season have been released, and Ryton & Crawcrook Albion will begin the new campaign on home turf against Tow Law Town on Saturday, July 25 (3pm).
Just three days later, Albion have their first away fixture at FC Hartlepool (7.30pm).
Albion manager Nathan Beckham and his side will need to hit the ground running in what promises to be a demanding start to the 38-game campaign.
Nine league fixtures are scheduled before the end of August, including five midweek rounds, ensuring a very busy opening month.
The regular season is due to conclude on Saturday, April 17 when Albion host newly-promoted Seaton Carew.
As in previous seasons, the Division Two champions will earn automatic promotion to the Northern League's top tier, while a four-team play-off will determine the second promotion place.
At the other end of the table, the bottom three clubs will be liable to relegation.
Albion will make the short journey to Essity Park on Boxing Day to face Prudhoe YC Seniors in the first eagerly anticipated Tyne Valley derby of the season, with the return fixture at the Oldhaulage Stadium scheduled for the Easter weekend in late March.
Beckham's outfit will face two newly-promoted teams during the campaign.
Alongside Wearside League champions Seaton Carew, who host Albion at the Phoenix2 Retail Arena on Saturday, November 7, North Riding League champions Stokesley Sports Club make their first league visit to the Oldhaulage Stadium on Saturday, August 29.
Prudhoe YC Seniors' season opener is at Billingham Synthonia on Saturday, July 25, with their first home game at Essity Park just four days later against Jarrow, who are managed by former Prudhoe boss Kennie Malia.
The Buildbase-sponsored FA Vase will once again begin early in the season, with the First and Second Qualifying Rounds scheduled for August 15, and September 12, respectively.
The draw for the opening rounds was made last Friday, with the winners of Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Sunderland RCA (August 15) hosting Billingham Town or Crook Town on September 12.
For the second year in a row, the draw didn't do Prudhoe YC Seniors any favours as Dean Walker's outfit have to travel to West Yorkshire to face Bradford-based side Campion on August 15, with the winners of that tie hosting Boldon CA or Longridge Town on September 12.
Albion and Prudhoe YC Seniors conclude their preparations for the new league campaign with a trio of pre-season friendlies next week.
Albion host Whickham this weekend, and Winlaton Community, July 17, either side of a trip to Brandon United, July 14, while Prudhoe YC Seniors have away games against Wallington on Saturday, and Haltwhistle Jubilee, July 15, before facing Ebac Northern League Division One side Whickham at Essity Park on July 18.
Louis Calvert scored for Albion in their opening pre-season friendly at Newcastle Blue Star on June 30 which ended in a 1-1 draw, and followed up with two goals in their 4-2 win against Easington Colliery on Saturday.
The other Albion goals were scored by Callum Johnston and Ethan Bewley.
Prudhoe YC Seniors' first pre-season friendly last Saturday ended in a 4-1 defeat at Ponteland United, with Prudhoe's goal scored by new signing Jack Maughan.
Supporters are advised to check each club's website and social media channels for the latest updates throughout the season regarding any fixture changes and for confirmation of kick-off times.
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO FIXTURES
RYTON & CRAWCROOK ALBION
July: 25-Tow Law Town (H), 28-FC Hartlepool (A)
August: 1-Billingham Synthonia (A), 5-Newcastle University (H), 8-Sunderland RCA (H), 11-Billingham Town (A), 19-Durham United (H), 26-Seaham Red Star (A), 29-Stokesley Sports Club (H)
September: 5-Darlington Town (A), 19-AFC Newbiggin (H), 26-Boldon CA (A)
October: 3-Park View AFC (H), 10-Chester-le-Street Town (A), 17-Jarrow (H), 24-Alnwick Town (A), 31-Grangetown Boys Club (H)
November: 7-Seaton Carew (A), 14-FC Hartlepool (H), 21-Newcastle University (A), 28-Billingham Town (H)
December: 12-Durham United (A), 19-Tow Law Town (A), 26-Prudhoe YC Seniors (A)
January: 2-Billingham Synthonia (H), 9-Sunderland RCA (A), 16-Seaham Red Star (H), 23-Stokesley Sports Club (A), 30-Darlington Town (H)
February: 6-AFC Newbiggin (A), 13-Boldon CA (H), 27-Park View AFC (A)
March: 6-Chester-le-Street Town (H), 20-Jarrow (A), 27-Prudhoe YC Seniors (H)
April: 3-Alnwick Town (H), 10-Grangetown Boys Club (A), 17-Seaton Carew (H)
PRUDHOE YC SENIORS
July: 25-Billingham Synthonia (A), 29-Jarrow (H)
August: 1-Seaham Red Star (H), 4-Grangetown Boys Club (A), 8-Darlington Town (A), 12-FC Hartlepool (H), 18-Billingham Town (A), 26-Boldon CA (H), 29-Chester-le-Street Town (A)
September: 5-Alnwick Town (H), 19-Seaton Carew (A), 26-Newcastle University (H)
October: 2-Durham United (A), 10-Tow Law Town (H), 17-Sunderland RCA (A), 24-Stokesley Sports Club (H), 31-AFC Newbiggin (A)
November: 7-Park View AFC (H), 14-Jarrow (A), 21-Grangetown Boys Club (H), 28-FC Hartlepool (A)
December: 12-Billingham Town (H), 19-Billingham Synthonia (H), 26-Ryton & Crawcrook Albion (H)
January: 2-Seaham Red Star (A), 9-Darlington Town (H), 16-Boldon CA (A), 23-Chester-le-Street Town (H), 30-Alnwick Town (A)
February: 6-Seaton Carew (H), 13-Newcastle University (A), 27-Durham United (H)
March: 6-Tow Law Town (A), 20-Sunderland RCA (H), 27-Ryton & Crawcrook Albion (A)
April: 3-Stokesley Sports Club (A), 10-AFC Newbiggin (H), 17-Park View AFC (A)
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