STOKESLEY will be hoping to continue where they left off last week when they visit Ryhope CW this afternoon.

The Teessiders rattled in ten goals last Saturday but they will find today's opponents a different proposition.

Despite losing to leaders Nissan in their last outing, Ryhope were credited with an improved performance and are boosted by the return of a couple of players who were on duty with the Durham County Youth squad. Willie Crew and Mark McGinley resume and Ryhope await a late fitness test on flu-victim Chris Snowball.

Harton and Westoe will be out to open up the race for the championship when they host leaders Nissan. The home side, now in fourth position, are still rated outsiders but victory today would give them an outside chance for the title.

Although Keith Mason is suspended, Harton have Andy Smyth, Andy Tate and Carl King all included in a strong squad.

Birtley Town, who have scored five goals in each of their last three games, are at home to Wolviston who still have their eyes focused on the championship.

The home team's manager Gordon Green reports that Mark Crighton is available after being sidelined for a couple of weeks and he could be named either at full back or in the midfield.

Wolviston thought they played well enough to earn a draw at Harton and Westoe and are still confident they can keep the pressure on leaders Nissan and North Shields even though they have suffered a big blow with the decision of club skipper Martin Oakley to retire.

Assistant manager Andy Smith misses today's match through work commitments.

Cleadon will want to bounce back from last Saturday's debacle but they will not find it easy against Redcar Town. Russell Garlinge will not be available again until near the end of the season and David Nevin is still not ready to play after dislocating a shoulder.

But there is some good news for Cleadon in that Micky Hutchinson and Michael Irwin are both available.

Boldon CA manager David Jones has a couple of irons in the fire with a view to signing a replacement for his son Jason, who recently joined South Shields, but he does not expect to have a newcomer in his side today, visiting Simonside SC.

Annfield Plain manager Kevin Drinkeld misses Scott Fantarrow and Richard Little at Stanley United and Jarrow hope to move off the bottom of the table by completing a hat-trick of wins over Whitburn.

Club skipper Dean Whiting is extremely doubtful with a back injury but right back Lee Batey will start the match.

In addition, manager Paul Thu expects to have a new midfielder in his side.

There is one tie in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup with North Shields visiting New Marske, in a repeat of last season's final which the Clevelanders won. The Robins are boosted by the availability of Martin Lamb, Joe Moore and Dean Walker as they attempt to maintain their fine form.