STL Northern League It might be early days in the season, but bottom club Esh Winning daren’t lose their league game at home to Ryton today.

Esh, under the new management of Peter Mulcaster, have yet to win in 13 league games, and in midweek were hammered 7-0 at Newcastle Benfield. Mulcaster said: “We need everyone to roll their sleeves up and win matches.” Andrew Dobbie, Ian Ward , Lee Newby and Marc Nixon all return to the Esh squad.

Ryton have recruited a brand new team, mainly made up from manager Peter Johnson’s Sunday outfit.

League leaders Consett are at home to Penrith, and they’ll be missing midfielder Andy Cuthbertson, while winger Mark Eccles is doubtful because of injury. They have put Ben Johnson, Andy Snaith and Richard Forster on the transfer list.

Spennymoor, boosted by their Vase win at Bedlington last week, are at Billingham Town, and include new midfielder David McTiernan, while they are hoping to conclude the signing of defender Stephen Harrison from Blyth. Striker Craig Hubbard is missing with a hernia problem. Town, who have failed to win any of their last six league matches, give new signing Andy Jennings from Stokesley his debut.

Bedlington, who are third, will climb above Shildon if they beat Tow Law. Striker Wayne Gredziak returns after sitting out the Vase game last week, while new defender John Hewitson is included in the Lawyers squad. Player-manager Ian Johnson is ruled out for at least another fortnight because of injury.

Bishop Auckland, who have lost twice to Billingham Synthonia this week, are at South Shields, and manager Colin Myers welcomes back striker Adam Emson to the squad Shields, who are seventh off bottom, will be at full strength except for defender Duncan O’Brien.

West Auckland could go into the top eight if they beat Billingham Synthonia at Darlington Road, but they will be without defender Andrew Green, who is injured. Midfielder Chris Renshaw has come off the transfer list. Synners, who won on the same pitch last Sunday against Bishop Auckland in the Vase, are without strikers Colin Iley and Michael Jameson because of injury, but defender Andy Forster and midfielder Liam McPhillips both return.

Sunderland RCA can climb away from the danger zone if they beat third bottom West Allotment, but they will be without former Darlington midfielder David Duke, but another midfielder, Michael Coghlan, returns to the squad. Allotment are hoping to sign striker Andy Dugdale from Newcastle Benfield before the game.

Dunston, who are in eighth, go to Newcastle Benfield four places above them, and they include new striker Tony Stephenson, signed from South Shields, but midfielder Lee Bell is suspended. Benfield, who have lost just once in the league this season, will give a fitness test to Carl Paterson, but Shaun Bell and Micky Chilton are missing because of injury.

Stokesley, who are fourth bottom, face Jarrow Roofing and have doubts over midfielder Leeon Poole and striker Bryan Stewart.