Northern League preview
Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison is inviting Darlington fans to see another promotion chasing team in action this afternoon.
The RA are third  in Division Two, but face a difficult home game against Chester-le-Street at Brinkburn Road , and with some Quakers fans boycotting the West Auckland game, then Harrison says they’ll be welcome to cheer them on instead.
“We’ve been playing some good football recently to get us into third place, and last week Chester scored six, so it should be an entertaining game. We’d really appreciate some extra support to help us,” he said.
Defender Karl Hewitt will have a late fitness test, while another defender, James Howlett and striker James Evison will be missing.
Chester have injury doubts over Michael Pattison, Mark Patterson and Kieron McDonald, but Matty Smith, Matty Crookes and Calvin Gowland all return.

In the first division, second placed Spennymoor go to Marske United protecting their 16 game unbeaten start to the season.
Moors dropped points for only the second time this season in midweek, and they will be strengthened by the returns of defender Steve Capper and midfielders Anthony Peacock and Craig Ruddy.
Marske, who are six points above the relegation zone in 18th place,  will have a full squad, with new keeper Olly West, released by Hull City, added to the squad.

Shildon, who have games in hand on all the clubs above them, are at home to neighbours Newton Aycliffe, but manager Gary Forrest is delaying his team selection until he knows the fitness of Sam Garvie, Chris Hughes, Billy Greulich-Smith and Mark Hudson.
Aycliffe, who narrowly lost to Dunston in midweek, welcome back defender Darren Craddock, but another central defender, John Close is missing.


Third placed Bedlington are at Consett, and have a big doubt over defender Stuart Elliott, who was stretchered off at Billingham Town in the 4-4 draw in midweek.
Consett midfielder Andrew Cuthbertson and midfielder Ryan Bell both return, but Luke Sullivan, Gavin Ross and David Brown are all out injured.

Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers is hoping for a much better performance from his team against Dunston following their 4-0 defeat at Spennymoor in the league last week. Midfielder Kieran Megran is almost certainly out with a thigh injury, while defender Chris Lawson is unavailable. Striker Arran Wearmouth could return after recovering from injury.
Dunston, who are one the form teams at the moment with five wins out of the last six, add defender Steve Gibson and striker Steve Goddard to their squad.
There could also be a bigger gate at Heritage Park because Darlo fans are boycotting the West game and possibly going to Bishop instead.

Billingham Synthonia are at home to bottom club South Shields, and will give keeper Josh Moody a fitness test before the game. Defenders Steve Huggins and Andy Burton are also struggling for Synners, who have only won twice at home this season.
Shields defender Lee Bell is serving a one match ban.

Guisborough go to Team Northumbria for the first of two games against their opponents in the space of three days – they are also at the university in the league cup on Monday. Bryan Stewart, Michael Jameson and keeper Daniel Dixon are all missing, while there are doubts over Paul Roddam and Nathan Evans.

Whitley Bay face Penrith at Hillheads , and they have a fitness doubt over defender Callum Anderson, but midfielder Craig McFarlane is likely to return after six weeks on the sidelines. Penrith are sixth bottom, but have played fewer games than the teams around them.

Fourth bottom Durham City are at home to Hebburn, who have lost only once in eight away league games this season. Ricky Fenwick and Max Stoker will both have fitness tests after they were injured in the midweek win at Penrith, and Craig Hindmarch is out long term. Striker Scott Fenwick should return after a fortnight’s absence.
Hebburn are missing defender Dan Kirkup because of suspension, otherwise they will be at full strength.

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon is hoping to sign a new keeper before their home game against Ashington because Neal Atkinson and Craig Shields are both carrying injuries and could miss the game.
Ashington, who won at Shildon in midweek, are without defender Craig Scott and midfielder Andrew Dobbie, but he includes recent signing, striker David Molloy from Newcastle Benfield. Ashington have appointed Perry Briggs as their new assistant manager.

Two clubs who suffered heavy home defeats in midweek, Norton and Newcastle Benfield, meet at Station Road. Norton, who lost 7-0 at home to West Auckland, welcome back keeper Jim Provett plus defender Callum Brown and midfielder Shaun Clarke, while Benfield manager Anthony Woodhouse could make at least one new signing for their squad.

Billingham Town, who are fifth bottom two points above the relegation zone, are at Celtic Nation, boosted by their fightback from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Bedlington in midweek.
CN manager Steve Skinner will have a squad of 18 to choose from, but he has two players, James Earl and Chris Lynn, missing because of suspension.

 

In the second division, leaders Ryhope CW are at home to Tow Law, and they include new signing Danni Lay from Gateshead Reserves while 24 goal striker John Butler will have a fitness test. Manager Martin Swailes could include at least one more new signing. Lawyers, who have a very good away record, with only one defeat in eight matches, are without Shaun Ryder because of suspension.

Northallerton, who are second , lost last week against Washington and need to bounce back at Thornaby. They will be without first choice keeper James Briggs, but otherwise manager Mark Fanning will choose from a full squad. Thornaby manager Neil Radigan has a fully fit squad, that has drawn its last three league matches. Northallerton have lost three times at home in the league this season,

Crook Town, who are steadily improving and are now fifth, are at home to Ryton, and they include new full back Dave Gordon, signed from Sunderland RCA earlier in the week.


Birtley manager Scott Oliver includes himself in their squad at home to Jarrow Roofing because he has ten players missing for various reasons.
Roofing are without Keith Oliver and Andy Inness, but striker Dan Smart and midfielder Jordan Marshall both return.

Two sides in the bottom three, Horden and Stokesley, meet at the Welfare Ground. Horden are without their assistant manager Neil Campbell because of suspension, while Stokesley, who had a good win last week against Alnwick, recall six players who missed the midweek cup tie at Guisborough.

 

Esh Winning are at home to fourth place Whitehaven, and they welcome back defender Chris Renshaw and striker Craig Mickle to the squad that lost in extra time to Billingham Synthonia in midweek.

 

Seaham Red Star, who are sixth, have a tough away game at North Shields, and they are missing striker Kris Goss and full back Richard Stubbs because of injury. Chris Scott and Neil Pegram will face late fitness tests. Shields have conceded only four goals in six home league games this season.

In the other games, Esh Winning are at home to fourth placed Whitehaven, Washington play Brandon, and Whickham face bottom of the table Alnwick.
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Whitby have a tough trip to Guiseley from the Blue Square North in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, while Blyth make one of their longest trips of the season when they go to Grantham in the Evostik League Premier Division.