West Auckland manager Peter Dixon says that his team will go into Saturday’s top of the table clash with Spennymoor as underdogs.

West are second in the table with five wins and one draw in six games, but they’re up against a Moors team that hasn’t dropped a point in five matches, and has yet to concede a goal.

Dixon, who will give defender Chris Carr and midfielder Craig Hubbard fitness tests said: “It’s a game we’re not expected to win because of their record so far, and so the pressure isn’t on us. We’re favourites in most of our league games, but not this one.”

Moors are missing their former West Auckland striker, Micky Rae, because of injury, but midfielder Anthony Peacock should return to the squad.

Two clubs who have made a disappointing start to their league season, Dunston and Whitley Bay, meet at the UTS stadium Dunston, who went out of the FA Cup in midweek, include new striker Lewis Teasdale, signed from Consett , but they will give fitness tests to defenders Terry Galbraith and Ben Cattanach. Whitley Bay are missing defender Callum Anderson, who has a hamstring injury, but midfielder Seb Anzevui and defender Brian Smith should also return.

Billingham Synthonia go to Newcastle Benfield, looking for revenge for their 4-3 defeat at Central Avenue earlier in the season. Synners are still missing several players, while Benfield boss Perry Briggs could make changes following their defeat by Spennymoor in midweek.

Marske , who are fifth bottom, play only their second home league game of the season against Sunderland RCA, who are just two places above them.

The RCA give a delayed debut to striker Dave Southern, who has been suspended, while another striker, Andy Appleby, is ruled out because of injury. Jonny Butler could return to the starting line up.

Durham City go to Ashington without keeper James Winter, who has broken a bone in his foot, and also ruled out with a foot injury is midfielder Evann Graham.

Ashington manager Gary Middleton will probably return to the dugout after recovering from illness, and he includes new signings Chris Bell, once of Bishop Auckland and Shildon , and Alex Benjamin, who just had a brief spell at Esh Winning, and signs for the club for the second time.

Billingham Town, who are without a point this season, are at Darlington, and welcome back defender Alan Cosavella, while keeper Danny Molyneux could be fit to play against his first club, where he was a YTS.

In the second division, leaders Ryhope CW are at home to West Allotment, and they welcome back keeper Chris Rookes as well as Richie Jordon, Nathan O’Neill and Phil Hall. West Allotment, who lost their unbeaten record in the league in midweek, will be at full strength.

Crook have a local derby at home to Tow Law, who won on Thursday night at Brandon. Defender Graham Liddle is out with a broken nose, but another defender, Chris Pearson, and striker Chris Lawther both return.

Seaham Red Star will give new signing Luke Proctor, signed from Chester-le-Street , his home debut against North Shields , and manager Mark Collingwood might keep the team that won at Whitehaven in midweek.

Whickham are at Alnwick, and are missing striker Craig Tate because of suspension., while Brandon are at home to Birtley.

Darlington RA are hoping to spring an FA Carlsberg Vase upset when they go to Bedlington today.

The RA have lost just once in seven league games this season, and on Tuesday night had a good 3-0 away win at fellow promotion challengers Jarrow Roofing.

First choice keeper Alex Kell returns to the squad after injury, as does player-manager Nick Harrison.

Esh Winning are at home to Bradford based club Albion Sports, who have played in Saturday football for only five years, and are from the NCEL first division. Stephen Oakley, Scott Richards, Michael Graver will all return, while striker Craig Coates will have a fitness test.

Newton Aycliffe will be wary of their opponents, Wearside League club Willington, who won at Seaham Red Star in the last round. Striker Danny Mellanby returns after missing the narrow midweek away defeat at Darlington.

Bishop Auckland , who are one of the fancied teams to do well from the ENL especially after beating Bedlington in their last two matches, are at Ryton, and are boosted by the returns of defenders Phil Shedd and Chris Lawson, plus striker Dan Hawkins.

Shildon, who reached the quarter finals three years ago, are at home to Liversedge, and they will be missing defender Justin Keegan and striker Chris McCabe out because of injury, but otherwise manager Gary Forrest chooses from a full squad. Liversedge are currently midtable in the NCEL Premier Division.

Northallerton are at Silsden from the North West Counties League, and they will be missing keeper Stephen Craggs and striker James Bowman, as they look for their fifth successive win.

Guisborough have a local derby at Stokesley and are also looking for their fifth successive win. Five players return to the squad after missing the midweek victory at Penrith, but Liam O’Sullivan is unavailable, and Liam McPhillips, Gary Wood and Michael Jameson all face fitness tests. Stokesley, boosted by their first league win in 18 months in midweek, are without Marty McManus because of suspension, but keeper Graham Willey is injured, so Justin Hutchinson replaces him.

There’s an all first division clash between Consett and Hebburn at Belle Vue.

Consett, who got to the quarters seven years ago, will be missing five players because of injury, but Ryan Bell, Harrison Davies and Andrew Thompson will return. Hebburn, who are the surprise package so far in the first division, will give a fitness test to striker Liam McBryde, while defenders Jeff Forsyth and Chris Jewells both return to the squad.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake is poised to make changes to his side after their midweek defeat by Stokesley when they play Norton, who reached the quarter finals three years ago. Nick Doyle is missing because of suspension anyway, and Steve Buzzeo returns from injury.

Norton manager Andy Campbell will be missing defender Jack Proctor and midfielder Karl Richards, but otherwise they are at full strength.

Washington play Jarrow Roofing, semi finalists ten years ago, in a local derby. Washington could make changes after losing in midweek, while Roofing are at full strength, except for unavailable Darren Reay.

Horden manager Peter Mulcaster could include some new signings in his side for their away tie at Penrith.

In the other ties, South Shields are at Yorkshire Amateurs, Celtic Nation go to Thackley, and Team Northumbria go to Pickering.

In the Evostik League, Blyth are at Matlock, and Whitby are at home to Marine.