Scarborough hunt for Cup and cash

Scarborough will be fighting for more than bragging rights in tomorrow's derby against Whitby Town in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. The Nationwide Conference club is not only bottom of the table, but in poor financial health. Given that the Football Association's prize-money structure for the Cup now rewards teams exponentially for progress, victory is especially important for financial reasons.

"It's a potential banana skin," Keith Agar, Scarborough's general manager, said of the tie against the UniBond Premier Division side. "But there is £20,000 at stake for the winners, which this club needs."

The president of Whitby, Brooks Mileson, is the former owner of Scarborough and the senior partner in a venture with Agar to take control of Third Division Carlisle. "Brooks won't know which camp to be in at the weekend," Agar said, somewhat hopefully.

Scarborough will be without striker Steve Brodie, who has a torn calf muscle. The teenaged midfielder, Adam Jewell, who was born in South Africa but brought up in Whitby, is also doubtful. He had recovered from a shin injury, but had flu last week and is unlikely to have recovered fully.

This weekend's other FA Cup ties include three all-Conference fixtures. Telford United play host to Northwich Victoria at Bucks Head, Yeovil travel to Hayes and Hereford go to Dover. The Conference leaders, Dagenham & Redbridge face a potentially troublesome trip to Basingstoke Town, while Southport have a derby at Marine. Doncaster meet Emley, whose heroics a few years ago ended in defeat to West Ham.

Although transfer fees have gone mad in the professional game (a trend that has knock-on effects as far down as the Conference), bargains can still be had in non-league. Leatherhead of the Ryman League Second Division paid Dorking £41 for Stefan Ball and Tommy Smith this week. The figure equates to suspension fines paid out by Dorking on behalf of the pair.