Not many clubs are in a position to make ten changes in personnel but this is exactly what Cleadon SC did last Saturday. And the move paid off handsomely for manager Doug Key who was bitterly disappointed at his side's performance in the previous game.

"Normally I alternate the goalkeepers week in, week out. It was Gary Brand's turn last Saturday and he took over from Lee Auty but I left out nine other players who had all figured in the previous week's debacle against Stokesley SC. Only Owen Peterson kept his place," said Key.

The manager told the players before last week's match against New Marske that he wanted to see better football and a greater commitment.

"My philosophy is simple. You need good discipline, to play good football and to talk to one another. The three requirements were missing a fortnight ago so I decided to use the very big squad we have and make wholesale changes.

"I don't suppose many of those who were left out were happy but I was vindicated because we put five goals past New Marske and remain fourth from top.

"We do not have a chance of winning the league but if we can end fourth we will have had a very good season. It is our highest position for a number of years and we are also through to the quarter final of the Wearside League Cup in which we will visit Whitehaven," added Key who played for both Boldon CA and Whitburn.

It is still nip and tuck at both the top and bottom of the League. Whilst Key admits that Cleadon have no chance of finishing in pole position, he reckons the title will be won by either Birtley Town, North Shields or Stokesley SC.

The leading trio were all on cup duty last weekend leaving Birtley just a point in front of North Shields, who have three games in hand. Stokesley are third, ten points adrift of Birtley but they have played no fewer than five fewer fixtures and have a couple to make up on the Robins who are nine points better off.

A crunch match next Wednesday is the meeting between Birtley and Stokesley when victory for the Teessiders would just about end Birtley's hopes.

Latest pairings in the cup competitions are as follows:

Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final: North Shields v Stokesley SC to be played at Ralph Gardner Park on Easter Monday.

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup semi finals: Stokesley SC v Birtley Town, Boldon CA v Gateshead Reserves.

Wearside League Cup quarter finals: Whitehaven v Cleadon SC, Birtley Town v Gateshead Reserves, New Marske v Wolviston, Stokesley SC v Annfield Plain.

Last week's results: Wearside League: Barnard Castle Glaxo 1, Darlington RA 3; Boldon CA 3, Gateshead Reserves 3; Cleadon SC 5, New Marske 1; Ryhope CW 3, Jarrow 2; Whitehaven 3, Annfield Plain 1; Wolviston 6, Ferryhill Athletic 0.

Sunderland Shipowners' Cup semi finals: Birtley Town 0, North Shields 1; Stokesley SC 5, Windscale 1.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Wearside League (2.30pm): Annfield Plain v Darlington RA, Gateshead Reserves v Cleadon SC, Harton and Westoe v North Shields, Jarrow v Washington Nissan UK, New Marske v Birtley Town, Ryhope CW v Stokesley SC, Whitehaven v Boldon CA, Wolviston v Windscale.