Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League

Swalwell were frustrated by the weather last week when their game at Shotley Bridge promised much. The abandonment may have cost them their hard earned leadership. Lintz were the other leading side to miss out to the rain - doubly unlucky as this was the second time it has happened to them this season.

The two meet today at Swalwell in the match of the day with Lintz boosted by the return of skipper Gary Christie. They also bring in Michael Christie with Trevor Wilson and Nick Young reverting to the seconds.

Leaders Tynedale appear to have an easy task when they go to relegation-threatened Benwell and Walbottle, while Leadgate, level on points with Lintz in third, face a difficult match at Sacriston who have Paul Burn and Phil Shields replacing Chris Tilly and Ian Jones.

Shotley Bridge are only 22 points behind the leaders and have enough about them to mount a serious challenge if they can find a level of consistency that has so far eluded them.

Their showing in the aborted game with Swalwell last week will have given them great confidence going into their home match with Ashington and they turn out an unchanged and full strength side.

Newcastle City hover just above the relegation zone and will be keen to make the most of home advantage against Annfield Plain, who are nestled comfortably in mid-table with three wins from six games.

Plain are missing Kevin Dixon and replace him with county under 14 player Kieran Gohery.

Whilst the Swalwell v Lintz game takes top billing there is a match just as important at the other end of the table as Percy Main take on Morpeth in a relegation dog fight between the two promoted teams. Morpeth, who began life in the premier division with a win, have suffered five consecutive defeats, and are now placed just above the two relegation slots.