HARTLEPOOL, who have moved into the top half of the table, will be playing for a place in the semi finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup when they visit high-riding Birtley Town tomorrow.

Pools put five goals past Annfield Plain last week and are confident of giving the championship contenders a good game.

"We have Graeme Brown and striker Anthony Storey in contention but Brian Ross is a doubt with a head injury. We could make a new signing before kick-off," reported Chairman John Ward.

"We're going all out to win the title and the three domestic cups. So far, we have enjoyed a tremendously successful campaign but I keep telling the lads we have won nothing yet and we will only be judged at the end of the season," said manager Dave Smith.

Scott Garrett and Trevor Hawthorne resume for Birtley but Shaun McAvoy is suspended and Kevin Murphy is also unavailable.

Cleadon SC are in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and manager Doug Key is looking forward to the inclusion of Wes Brown as Micky Armstrong is out with a knee injury for the visit of Windscale.

With the three sides above them on cup duty, Wolviston have the chance to go third if they take a point from Jarrow at Perth Green.

Jimmy Greening and Stephen Kilpatrick are added but Adam Gillespie can't play.

Jarrow are seventh and they bring in Peter Kirkham and Chris Neil. Gary Aisbett and Mark Diamond miss out and Mark Rumbles is a doubt.

Annfield Plain are much stronger for their fixture at Harton and Westoe.

Player manager and goalkeeper Paul Hedley, player coach John Moore and Chris Soulsby are named. Michael Murray could also turn out.

Coxhoe Athletic go to New Marske minus Daniel Purvis and Ralph Pettijean. Neil Charlton has completed a suspension and is joined by Kevin Bush. Coxhoe's only doubt is Gary O'Hara.

New Marske will monitor the fitness of Mike Magor, Andy Leng, Steven McPartland and Andy Vickers.

Teesside Athletic have injury worries ahead of their difficult task at Cleator Moor Celtic.

Dan Medcalfe, Mike Traynor, Sam Dowey and Phil Northway are definite absentees and although Ben Walker is available, Andrew Bean, Liam Wood and Ian Mudd are doubtful.

Willington were encouraged by their winning performance last weekend and they are now just one point below second-bottom New Marske before the visit of Ryhope CW to Hall Lane.

Lee Holloway has a dislocated shoulder.

Results: Saturday February 17: League: Birtley Town v New Marske postponed; Cleadon SC 2, Willington 4; Cleator Moor Celtic 1, Jarrow 2; Hartlepool 5, Annfield Plain 2; Harton and Westoe v Whitehaven postponed; Windscale 2, Boldon CA 3; Wolviston v Ryhope CW postponed.

North Riding County Cup semi finals: Beads 3, Teesside Athletic 1; Thornaby Athletic 3, Guisborough Black Swan 2.

Wednesday, February 23: Guisborough Black Swan 6, Harton and Westoe 3; Ryhope CW 1, Whitehaven 2.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: League (2pm): Cleator Moor Celtic v Teesside Athletic, Harton and Westoe v Annfield Plain, Jarrow v Wolviston, New Marske v Coxhoe Athletic, Willington v Ryhope CW.

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Second Round (1.30pm): Whitehaven v Guisborough Black Swan.

Third Round (1.30pm): Birtley Town v Hartlepool, Cleadon SC v Windscale.