South Shields' defeat last week tightened the whole league up and with two scheduled matches over the weekend the league table at close of business on Monday could have a very different feel.
South Shields face the first real test of their confidence following last weeks defeat by Sunderland. They play at the Racecourse ground against the Durham Academy today, and then host Benwell Hill who many believe will be realistic challengers themselves as the season goes on. Mike Fishwick is in for Alan Stephenson who is on holiday, and Philip Bell replaces Chris Watson. Mathew Muchall joins the squad for Monday's game.
Sunderland are the form team at the moment and are understandably delighted with their progress this year, as well as the start Shahid Nazir has made for them. Today's home game against Gateshead Fell could almost be a distraction as they take part in the game of the weekend on Monday when they go to Gosforth to play the formidable South Northumberland outfit, only twenty four hours after playing them at Ashbrooke in the regional Cockspur Cup quarter final. Sunderland have Craig Symington in for the first game in place of Alan Mustard.
South North's first game is at Stockton who are in dire straits at the moment after four successive league defeats and who will probably be viewing this match with some foreboding as a result. Adam Heather is still missing for the champions with the broken collar bone sustained in the first match of the season continuing to sideline him, but 15-year-old Sam Jobson makes his first team debut at Stockton with Tom Seymour replacing him on Monday.
Blaydon have started promisingly and will be looking for further progress as they take an unchanged side to Chester-le-Street, before entertaining Stockton two days later.
Newcastle play Benwell Hill, and then Tynemouth, who play Norton today.
Chester-le-Street expect to name full strength sides for both games and have a real opportunity to make strides up the table with two home matches against Blaydon and then Norton.
Gateshead Fell were relieved to get the first win under their belts last week but the match at Sunderland will undoubtedly stretch them before their home game with the Academy on Monday. They name the same team for both games, the only change from last week being Jon Nicholls for Tom Gilbert.
Norton and Stockton will be looking to this weekend to give them renewed hope after their unhappy starts to the season. At this end of the table every game is a test but for Stockton a home game with South Northumberland followed by a trip to Blaydon represents a daunting few days.
Dorian Hiles coming in for Joel Thwaites and Simon Davison for James Ward. Norton have Dan Nowell unavailable and Chris Dunwell steps up - Tynemouth at home and Chester-le-Street away also representing a challenging weekend for them.
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