Esh Winning manager Peter Mulcaster takes charge of his first game tonight when he takes his new side to Newcastle Benfield in the STL First Division.

Esh are rock bottom of the table, and previous manager Adam Furness paid the price for the team’s poor start to the season when he left by mutual consent last week, although he answered an SOS to take charge at Whitley Bay last Saturday, because Mulcaster was away on holiday.

Mulcaster, who will probably choose from 13 players tonight, said: “I’m hoping to learn a few things about the players tonight. Obviously, I haven’t seen them play since I came back from holiday, but I saw them lose at Shildon earlier in the season.” Striker Ian Ward, who scored twice that night at Shildon when Esh lost 6-2, is out because of injury.

Benfield have failed to win their last two matches after winning their first six off the belt.

Crook Town manager Brian Maitland is hoping that Darren Kokes will be an instant hit on his return to the Millfield.

Kokes has returned to the club from First Division Sunderland RCA after a season away, and Maitland, who will give Chris Baxter a fitness test before the game, said: “It’s great to get him back to the club, and he’ll certainly add something to the forward line.

“He scored over 60 goals in his last spell at the club, so we’ve done well to beat two other clubs to sign him.”

Kokes could line up tonight against Horden, who will be missing eight players for various reasons.

Leaders Guisborough, who were thumped 5-0 at Chester-le-Street last Saturday, are at home to Northallerton and will be missing Chris I’Anson and Luke Bytheway, but Steve Roberts returns to the squad. Northallerton include new striker Glenn Donaldson from Billingham Synthonia, but they are missing Aaron Ramsbottom and Shane Breckon.