West Auckland manager Anth Smith says that his team can now concentrate on their main target of winning the league when they face Consett today.

West were one of the favourites to win the FA Vase until they were beaten last week, and Smith said; “I’m looking for a reaction from the team after the disappointing result last week in the Vase. In all honesty as much as we wanted to progress in the Vase, I think there’s been a lot of pressure in the team following their success of reaching the final in the past few years. Since I’ve been here that’s all I’ve heard.

“In truth, it’s a tough achievement to repeatedly get to Wembley in any level of football. On any given day as we’ve seen at all levels over the years any team can beat anyone, and I would never pin my main target on a cup for that reason.

“Now the Vase has gone, I think it’s a monkey off our backs, and we can now focus on what was always my main target since taking over – winning the league.”

Striker Matty Moffat is missing because of injury, while defender Josh Rowbotham will have a fitness test.

Consett welcome back defender Matty Slocombe and striker Danny Craggs while midfielders Jonny Wright and Josh Gray will both have fitness tests. Defender David Brown is definitely out.

West go into the game with a four point advantage at the top.

Shildon, who are seventh, are at Durham City, and manager Gary Forrest will have almost a full squad except for injured striker Billy Greulich-Smith. Durham include new signing Walid Abeid, brother of Newcastle’s Mehdi, but they are without suspended defender Chris Wallace.

Fifth bottom Newton Aycliffe, who are five points above the drop zone, are at Jarrow Roofing, looking to complete a valuable double having beaten them at Moore Lane a month ago, and manager Peter Dixon will choose from a full squad.

Roofing have lost striker John Campbell to Oxford United, but their only other absentee is Kieran Whitehead.

Dunston have signed midfielder Dan Smith from Hebburn, and he will make his debut at home to Ashington, while defender Stephen Harrison returns to the squad. Ashington have a doubt over James Taylor, while Glen Taylor returns to the squad after suspension.

Dunston, meanwhile, have revealed that they won’t be applying for promotion to the EvoStik League.

Crook Town’s new manager, Peter Mulcaster, takes charge for the first time today for their home game with Whitley Bay, and he adds midfielder David Webster to the squad, but defender Chris Renshaw is suspended.

Whitley, who came from 3-1 down to beat Newcastle Benfield 5-3 in midweek, are without Michael Laws, Alex Kempster, Brad Brooking and Craig Smith, while striker Paul Robinson is injured.

Crook have conceded at least four goals in each of their last eight league games.

Bishop Auckland go to Sunderland RCA, still smarting from their FA Vase exit, and facing their former manager, Marty Swales. Bishops’ injury problems have eased slightly, with defenders Jordan Galloway and Graham Irving both returning, while midfielder Olly Hotchkiss returns after illness.

The RCA welcome back keeper Josh Carmichael and outfield players Clayton Davies and Michael Charlton, while Lee Bythway, Joe Hughes and Luke Richardson will all have fitness tests. Gary Wood is out for several weeks after an operation.

Bishops won at the RCA earlier in the season in the FA Cup.

Third bottom Billingham Synthonia face Guisborough in a Teesside derby, and manager Conrad Hillerby welcomes back David Abel, Steve Gibson, Bryan Stewart and Jack Bradbury to the squad. Guisborough, who beat Synners 3-1 in the Vase earlier in the season, are without midfielders Chay Liddle and James Risborough, while striker Damien Stevens will have a fitness test.

Marske United aren’t showing any signs of faltering in fourth place, and they’re at home to sixth bottom West Allotment. Strikers Danny Brunskill and Joe Melvin, plus defender Adam Wheatley all return to the side. Allotment are without five players, while striker David Dormand has decided to move to second division Team Northumbria.

Marske won the reverse game earlier in the season.

Bedlington will give a debut to midfielder Kieran Weekes, signed from Crook, in their home game against Celtic Nation, but they are missing five players because of injury, and another four are doubtful. The Nation have doubts over Matthew Read, Tyran Taylor and Lee Hoolickin.

North Shields, who are in third place, are at Morpeth, and they include defender Marc Lancaster, who was with Morpeth until a month ago. Striker Dean Holmes and midfielders Adam Forster could return after injury.

Morpeth include midfielder Ben Sayer, signed from Spennymoor, and Michael Fenwick for his first game of the season. Midfielder Keith Graydon is doubtful, while defenders Matty Grieve and Chris Jewels are both injured.

Newcastle Benfield, who are at home to Penrith, are without player manager Steve Bowey because of injury, while defender Stephen Tobin is struggling with illness.

In the second division, the game of the day is between third placed Team Northumbria and Washington, one place below them. Team Northumbria include new striker David Dormand, signed from West Allotment.

Washington, who lost 5-2 at Seaham in midweek, will give a fitness test to their top scorer James Fairley, while defender Greg Swansbury is suspended and midfielder Aaron Croft is working. However, defenders Joe Kendrick and Paul Wardle, and striker Joe Walton all return.

There’s another big game at Seaham Red Star, where the leaders take on fifth placed Darlington RA. New signing Dennis Knight is missing because of injury, while Darryl Donnelly and Chris Storey are also both missing. However, striker Liam McBryde and defender Chris Scott both return. The RA, who have won their last two games, are without Ste Cheeseman, David Harrison and Eddie Pearson.

Second placed Norton, who have a slightly worse goal difference than Seaham, are at home to Willington, and they will be without striker Michael Jameson, but Marcus Laing and Mitch Morris both return to the squad. Willington are without four players because of injury plus Liam Whitworth because of suspension. Recent signing Rufus Ayre comes into the squad. Norton are unbeaten at home this season in the league.

Sixth placed Hebburn are at home to Billingham Town, and they add Alan Pegram to their squad, while midfielder Dan Smith has gone to Dunston UTS. Town, who are fifth bottom, welcome back striker Joel Callender, but they are missing Michael Dalton, Stuart Browne and Drew Lambert because of injury.

Ryhope CW are at home to Chester-le-Street, and they include new signing Craig Price, who was with Ryhope manager Gary Pearson at Crook, and Carl O’Sullivan from Hartlepool FC. Five players return to the squad, while midfielder Richard Hodgson and captain Phil Hall will have fitness tests. Paul Braithwate has been having a trial at Barnsley this week. Chester are missing Andrew Grant-Soulsby, Jackie Honour, Robbie Draper and Jake Stafford, while Dan and Michael Hepplewhite will both have fitness tests.

Thornaby, who are unbeaten at home in the league this season, face Heaton Stannington, and welcome back midfielders Curtis Edwards and Jamie Lofts, as well as striker Jamie Clarke to their squad. Heaton are without keeper Dan Rule and striker Lee Johnson because of suspension, while Gary McGarrigal and Gary Dixon are both missing.

Northallerton, who have won their last two league games under new boss Steve Skinner, are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and are without several players for various reasons.

Bottom club Brandon are hoping to build on their win at Tow Law last week when they go to Whickham, and manager Paul Tunstall chooses from a full squad. Whickham are without nine players for various reasons, but Rudi Nellis will return.

Second bottom Esh Winning are at Alnwick, and manager Chris Blakelock welcomes back four players who missed last week’s game because of sickness. Esh are two points above Brandon having played a game more.

Simon Ord takes caretaker charge of third bottom Tow Law for their away game at Birtley, as Gary Anderson resigned last week.

Birtley will give debuts to youngsters Jack Carlin and Michael Alcock, while Anthony Ward and Grant Bpyd will probably return. However, Dan Maddison, Paul Oxley, Lee Best and Robert Smith are all missing.

Stokesley, who are fourth bottom and within range of bottom club Brandon, are at home to South Shields, and include two new signings, Ryan Grier and James Dowson. However, Danny Jones, Alex Dougal and Matty Dunford are all injured.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth play their last league game before their big FA Cup tie next week at home to Witton Albion, while Whitby are at Ashton United.