Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that his players needed a midweek game ahead of their fifth round FA Carlsberg Vase tie against Newcastle Benfield today.

Moors played and lost in the league cup against Guisborough in midweek, but Ainsley was grateful for a game after the original all Northern League Vase tie was postponed last weekend.

“I think we needed the game because we had very little competitive football over the last four weeks. Going into extra time wasn’t ideal, but the players have had two days to recover, and they know the importance of the game.

“The fans can play a major part as well, because this is a very tough game for us.”

Midfielder Keith Graydon, who scored the winner at Wembley last season, will have a fitness test this morning, but full back Callum Griffiths is out because of injury while striker Dan Taylor has a stomach bug. Keeper Kyle Hayes will also have a fitness test after suffering a head injury in midweek.

Benfield manager Steve Bowey expects to choose from a full strength squad, with the exception of former Darlington midfielder Stuart Elliott, who is injured.

West Auckland are at home to Hallen from the Western League, and they include new signing Kris Wilkinson, a centre midfielder who has just returned from a spell in the States. He’ll go straight into the squad, but West will definitely be missing full back Phil Gray, who is suspended.

Manager Peter Dixon said; “Kris has come into the squad to give us a little bit of a boost, and to make sure we don’t go flat. He’s come highly recommended.

“Hallen are better than Whickham, whom we struggled to get past in the last round. They’re a very workmanlike side who’ll be difficult to beat.”

Dunston UTS are at home to Brightlingsea Regent from Essex, with the 2012 winners again looking to make the quarter finals. Manager Billy Irwin has a big injury doubt over defender Chris Swailes, who had breathing difficulties and was admitted to hospital when he played in the DCC defeat at Shildon in midweek.

Brightlingsea, whose manager watched Dunston in midweek, are bringing around 200 fans with them for the game. They’ve never played at this stage of the Vase before.

Morpeth set off yesterday lunchtime for their away game on the south coast at Eastbourne United from the Sussex County League, and manager Nicky Gray will choose from a full squad, that has been refreshed by a break in Qatar, although he will give midfielder Wayne Buchanan a fitness test.

The quarter final draw is: East Preston or St Andrews v Spennymoor Town or Newcastle Benfield, Eastbourne or Morpeth v Ampthill, Dunston or Brightlingsea v West Auckland or Hallen, Sholing or Larkhall v Wisbech. Games to be played on March 8th.

Whitley Bay begin life after their former manager Ian Chandler at Bishop Auckland in the ENL today.

Chandler quit the club on principle after ten years in charge in midweek, and the club, which has won the Vase four times including a record-breaking three in a row, have put long serving defender Leon Ryan and former Darlington defender Steve Foster in caretaker charge.

Whitley will include new keeper Mark Cook, but they will be definitely be without suspended defender Chris Reid.

Bishops, who are in tenth place, haven’t played a home league game since before Christmas. They are without striker Danny Brunskill, while manager David Bayles is hoping to sign a new defender.

Celtic Nation can increase their advantage over West Auckland and Spennymoor by winning on the 3G at Consett. Manager Willie McStay will choose from a full squad, except for injured midfielder Mark Boyd. Consett, who won 7-1 in midweek, will give defenders Chris Bell and David Brown fitness tests, while centre half Carl Piecha will return after suspension.

Crook are at home to Newton Aycliffe, and are looking to build on their 4-1 away win at Billingham Town last week. Manager Gary Pearson will choose from a full squad. Aycliffe include Mark Wood, who has been re-signed from Bishop Auckland, and Lewis Green from Norton. Dan Mitton and Martin Young both return, but striker Jamie Owens is still missing because of injury.

Ashington are at home to Billingham Synthonia at Woodhorn Lane, and they’ll be without midfielder Martin Brittain, otherwise they will choose from a full squad. Synners welcome back defender Andrew Burton to a full squad.

Durham City are at home to third bottom Team Northumbria, and they are without keeper James Winter, striker Richard Offiong and midfielder Craig Hindmarch, but defender Jordan Galloway and midfielder Craig Ellison both return.

In the relegation fight, fourth bottom Sunderland RCA go to Penrith. The RCA who had a good win in midweek, have injury doubts over Nathan Wilson and Dave Horsman.

Because of their ground’s proximity to the River Eden, Penrith haven’t played a home game since December 7th.

Bottom club Billingham Town are at Marske United as they look for their first away win of the season, and boosted by their first goal in eight matches last week. Manager Darren Trotter adds Stephen Jackson to the squad that was on duty last week against Crook Town. Marske conceded seven in midweek at Consett, and manager Ted Watts chooses from a full squad. If Town lose, they will be relegated.

In the second division, leaders North Shields face their toughest test for a long time away to fourth placed Seaham Red Star, who beat them back in September. Shields include new signing Dan Patterson for his second debut after signing him from Morpeth. Midfielders Michael McKeown and Adam Forster, as well as striker Dean Holmes, will have fitness tests.

Third placed West Allotment are at home to Darlington RA, and manager Paul Stoneman will be without five players because of injury. The RA include new winger Adam Sakr, signed from Willington.

Birtley need to beat second placed Jarrow Roofing to keep their slim promotion hopes alive. Manager Paul Bryson will choose from a full squad as they prepare for their first game in three weeks. Roofing, who won 4-0 at Brandon in midweek, welcome back Dan Kirkup, Corey Barnes, Kieron McDonald and Kieran Martin.

Heaton Stannington, in sixth, are at home to South Shields, and they are without captain Joe Wear because of suspension, and Gary Dixon because of injury. William James and Gary McGarrigal both return. Shields will be at full strength, except for injured defender Barrie Smith, who could be out for at least two months.

Northallerton, who are 14 points behind the promotion places, can’t afford to lose at Chester-le-Street, and manager Peter Mulcaster will make changes after their midweek defeat. Martin Butterworth, signed from Darlington RA, is in line to make his debut, while Mark Hemingway, Dale Elgie, and Stephen Banks all come into contention.

Chester will be at full strength.

Norton, who are at home to Stokesley, welcome back midfielder Michael Joseph after suspension, but Rocky Andrews, Shaun Lambert and Jack Proctor all return. Stokesley are missing midfielder Greg Upton and striker Tony Lannon because of injury.

Washington are at home to Whitehaven, and they include new signings Anthony Lund from Consett and Michael Roberts from Chester-le-Street , but midfielder Aaron Croft will need a fitness test on a foot injury.

Willington are at home to Whickham, and they are missing Liam Whitworth and Corey Nicholson because of suspension, but Lee Newby, Christian Holliday, Chris Hardy and Jake Cairns all return. Whickham will have a squad of 20 players to choose from.

Third bottom Brandon, who are just a point ahead of Esh Winning, have a big game away to bottom club Ryton and Crawcrook, and are without John Harrison and James Paylor, but David Harrison, James Davidson, Mark Brischuk, Glen Hendrix and Scott Richards all return.

Second bottom Esh Winning need to get something from their away game at Thornaby, and they add Lee Blades and Andy White to their squad, but they will be missing David Fort and Matty Smith.

In the Evo-Stik League, Blyth are at home to Buxton, and Whitby are at Skelmersdale.