FOR the third consecutive week Stockton face one of the Dukes NEPL’s top sides, not an ideal scenario for a team desperate to pick up some points to relieve their plight at the foot of the table.

After meeting both South North and Chester-le-Street along comes a match against South Shields at Grangefield today, strong opponents who finished runners-up last season and are once again in the top four.

James Ward is unavailable for the Teessiders and Chris Oliver comes in, and for Shields Chris Dorothy returns to replace Neil Dixon.

Unchanged Norton will be hopeful of squeezing something out of their home match with a Newcastle side who have flattered to deceive after an opening day flourish, but the Tynesiders have the influential Ross McLaren and Jon Shaw back in their line-up.

Chester-le-Street look to keep the pressure on the seemingly immoveable champions in their match at Gateshead Fell, and they expect to have the outstanding Andrew Smith turning out after a trial with Lancashire this week.

Local rivals Boldon and Whitburn have emerged as the early season pacesetters in the Warmseal Durham Senior League after both enjoyed excellent weekends.

With the spotlight now firmly on them Boldon will be keen to increase the tempo further when they entertain Durham City this afternoon.

With skipper Chris Ellison in scintillating form, and Johnny Wightman knocking them over for fun, the home team may just have too much for the improved City side.

Whitburn face a real examination today when they take on the club just behind them in the table, Eppleton. The good news for the home side is that key bowler Tony Greaves is back to take his place in their attack - but the bad news is that Aussie Chris Wood damaged a hamstring in a midweek cup tie and could be out for a while.

Table-toppers Crook will look to extend their great start to the Readers Durham County League season when they travel to Brandon to take on the side propping up the rest at the moment. Town won’t have the services of Alan O’Prey, and remain uncertain as to when Arsalan Mir will arrive, the home club expect to have Jonathan Thorn and David Christie in their line-up.

And there will be no room for sentiment either at Hylton where Shildon will parade recently arrived Indian Sahil Kukreja who debuted last week. The Railwaymen are at full strength as they seek to heap more misery on a team who have already suffered six defeats.

Clubs in the 3D Durham Coast League face a double weekend. Clear leaders Castle Eden will be hoping to put even more daylight between themselves and their rivals when they entertain secondplaced Ryhope this afternoon, and then play at thirdplaced Bill Quay.

Swalwell look to have the perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Wellstream NTSL when they meet bottom club Benwell & Walbottle, although the strugglers have skipper Geoff Prudhoe, Steve Reed and Malcolm Birrell returning to boost their squad.

In a second versus third clash unchanged Shotley Bridge entertain a Sacriston team still waiting to learn whether Gordon Muchall will make his long awaited debut, but one pro who will turn out is Percy Main’s Mohtashim Ali at home to Leadgate.