Aycliffe looking over their shoulders

The pressure has increased on Aycliffe in the last fortnight because of Billingham Town’s revival, and the bad weather which has wiped out almost all of their recent games.

They are currently two points ahead of rejuvenated Billingham Town, and the tension and backlog of games might increase, because the bad weather is poised once more to wreak more havoc on today’s games.

Oliver will pick from a full squad, except for defender Mark Peck, who is missing because of injury.

Synners have lost defender Jordan Robinson to Darlington, while Andy Forster, Matty Crossen and Andy Burton are all missing. However, Chay Liddle, David Abel and Nathan Jameson all return.

Billingham Town, who have won three of their last four matches, could climb out of the relegation zone if they win at second bottom South Shields, and Aycliffe lose at Synners.

Defender Stephen Flockett will return after injury for Town, while Shields are without defender Wayne Clarke because of suspension and midfielder Tony Coe because of injury.

Bottom of the table Norton desperately need points, as they are 21 points adrift of safety, a tall order considering that they have only collected 14 points this season so far. They are at home to Hebburn, and manager Andy Campbell is hoping to choose from a full squad.

Marske United, who are worrying about the improvement of Billingham Town, are at Dunston UTS, and they welcome back midfielder David Wells and defender Curtis Collantine, but Alex Dougall is missing because of injury. Dunston expect to be at full strength.

Newcastle Benfield, who are fifth bottom, four points above the bottom three, are at Consett, but like many others the game will need to pass an inspection. Striker Gary day will be missing for Benfield. Consett, who will be moving to a new ground next season, are without defender David Scorer because of injury, but manager Kenny Lindoe chooses from a squad of 20.

Sunderland RCA, who are only five points ahead of Billingham Town, are strengthened by the returns of Gary Shields, Gary Shaw, Scott Richards and Ross Preston at home to Celtic Nation. The Carlisle side is badly hit by injuries with David Lynn, Steve Archibald and Tony Hooper all out for the season, while James Earl has left the club.

Penrith, who are four points and four places above the relegation zone, are at home to Ashington, who have in injury doubt over keeper Karl Dryden, while Andy Dugdale, Mark O’Dea and Craig Scott will all have fitness tests.

At the top, West Auckland can strengthen their grip on second place ahead of Spennymoor if they beat Team Northumbria at Darlington Road, and manager Peter Dixon chooses from a full squad.

Bishop Auckland, who are in fifth place, take on Durham City at Heritage Park, and they will probably be close to full strength, although City have injury doubts over several players, while striker Ricky Fenwick is definitely out for the season.

Whitley Bay, who are in fourth, are at home to Guisborough, and they could include Tomi Ameobi, brother of Shola, in their squad, but they are without midfielder Lee Kerr because of suspension, and Brad Brooking and Callum Anderson because of injury. Guisborough include new signing Paul Callan from Thornaby, while nine players, including top scorer Austin Johnson, are struggling with injuries.

The second division promotion race is intensifying. Leaders Crook Town are at home to Whickham, and they are without player manager Gary Pearson, striker Kyle Davis and striker David Paul all because of suspension. Midfielder Steve Walklate is doubtful, but top scorer Warren Byrne returns to the squad.

Jarrow Roofing, who are third, are at West Allotment, and they will be missing Andy Appleby for several weeks because of injury, while they have signed striker Jordan Lartey from Whickham.

Darlington RA are in fourth, six points below the top three but have played more games than the teams around them, and they need to win at Ryton and Crawcrook.

Manager Nick Harrison will be missing Dale Elgie, who scored in midweek, and Aaron Ramsbottom.

Northallerton are 12 points below the promotion places and also need to win at Washington, but they are missing midfielder Marcus Laing and defender Dave Alderson, but defender Danny Shoulder returns after injury North Shields, in fifth, are at Birtley, and they welcome back skipper Dan Patterson and Michael McKeown, while keeper Michael Robinson is missing because of injury. Birtley add Ben Johnson, James Allsopp and Scott Wallace to their squad, but Alex Downey is out.

At the other end of the division, bottom of the table Horden are at home to Seaham Red Star in a local derby, and they will have a full squad to choose from.

Horden have a fund raising friendly tomorrow afternoon against Eidsvold IF, who play in the Norwegian second division.

Second bottom Esh Winning face Chester-le-Street at Waterhouses, and they welcome back midfielder Steve Halliday after suspension. Chester hope to give new signing Anthony Burnell his debut after signing from South Shields, but skipper Michael Robson is suspended, and five others are working. Assistant manager Ian Davison will have a fitness test.

Alnwick and Stokesley, two clubs just above the bottom two, meet in Northumberland. Stokesley, who are three points above the relegation zone, welcome back Jordan Rowe, but Phil King is because of injury.

Tow Law are looking for their ninth away win in the league when they travel to Thornaby, and they include new centre half Adam Robinson, signed from Bishop Auckland. Otherwise manager Gary Anderson chooses from a full squad.

In the Evostik League, Blyth, who have appointed John Cornforth as coach under manager Tom Wade, go to Bury’s Gigg Lane in order to play FC United of Manchester. Whitby are at Stafford Rangers.