It was a rare event for Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division champions Guisborough to suffer two defeats in the space of three days but they keep faith with the same side for the fourth successive match when they host Redcar at Fountains Garth this afternoon.

Redcar show one change, with Mally Whitehead taking over from Dave Dowson.

Saltburn visit Blackhall buoyed by their holiday success over Guisborough but Tony Bell cannot play and his place is filled by Simon Walker.

It will be interesting to see if leaders Northallerton maintain their early-season form at Darlington RA, who have suffered a huge blow with the news that captain Darren Hickey will not play again this season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury last week. Paul Freary will captain the team which includes Stephen Russell.

Darlington go to Marske with Duncan Johnson taking over from Keith Barker. The Seasiders anticipate New Zealander Rob Nicol making his debut. A top-three batsman and medium pacer, he comes with a good recommendation and has played in the Lancashire League.

Clive Layfield is unavailable so Matthew Biker will play for Richmondshire at Middlesbrough and Normanby Hall expect professional Mohamed Zahid to make his seasonal debut at home to Hartlepool.

Norton will be hoping it is third time lucky when they host Benwell Hill in the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League. They lost both their opening games gaining just nine points but still expect to name an unchanged squad.

Benwell Hill are pleased to have Pakistani Shahid Nazir back in their line-up but early-order batsman Simon Birtwisle is unavailable and Martin Coy takes over.

Stockton name the same XI at home to Newcastle, while Chester-le-Street, who face a stiff task at champions South Northumberland, are unable to include a Durham player. Graeme Bridge is injured and Gareth Breese is involved at the Riverside.

Philadelphia are weakened by the unavailability of Simon Hollingsworth and Ed Crowther, who are both playing for Durham University. Michael Elliot and Berwick Hall are included for the visit to Tynemouth.

In the Federation Special Durham Senior League, Boldon are missing bowlers Chris Miller and Jonathan Bishop when they entertain Hetton Lyons. Boldon will be looking to professional Orlanzo Jackson to produce a good display if they are to hold the Lyons.

Horden are also without two players for their match against South Hetton, with Ian Blevins and Tony Murphy missing.

Burnmoor appear to have the easiest task of the leading three when they travel to Seaham Harbour. With Gary Brown set to return, Charlie Plummer steps down.

For Seaham, Paul Smith and Syed Ahmed are selected as Harbour look for points to move off the basement.

Eppleton will be keen to forget the batting debacle of last week when they entertain South Shields. Neil Dixon is absent for Shields and Bobby Scorer plays.

Willington, disappointed that Australian Kym Lawrence was turned back by immigration control, line up South African Jaco Mong as his replacement in The Readers Durham County League fixture at Tudhoe.

"He is a strike bowler and attacking batsman and we are hoping he will spearhead our drive for promotion," said official Neil Moore. Mong is a straight replacement for Andy Allen who is playing football.

Crook Town have won two of their first three games and at Shildon are at full strength with the return of Andy Burgess and Peter Brown.

The parents of Michael Cooper, 18, who died following an accident just before Christmas, will be present at the second-team game to present a trophy to the winners and to the best-performing Crook player. Michael scored 100 when he played his last game for Crook II against Shildon last year.