Forrest: We won't change our style of play for Alty

It’s a big day for South West Durham, with four clubs involved, although all have tough ties against higher opposition.

Altrincham have a huge FA Cup tradition, but that has faded slightly in recent years as they have slipped down to Conference North, but nevertheless the Railwaymen will have their work cut out to go through, especially as Altrincham have one of the most prolific strikers in the country, Damien Reeves, in their line up.

Forrest said: “We’re just going to go into the game and enjoy it. We won't change our style of play, we will get the ball down, pass it and attack them at every opportunity. It has been suggested that we rested players on Tuesday for this game but that is not true, we decided not to play any players that had struggled with injury or niggles and will do the same today.”

Defender Justin Keegan and midfielder Chris Hughes are both missing, while defenders Richard Flynn and Chris Hunter, plus strikers Sam Garvie and Ben Wood will all have fitness tests.

Bishop Auckland are at home to AFC Fylde from the Evostik Premier Division, but they are badly hit by injuries, with midfielder Craig Hodgson out with ligament damage, and skipper Steve Salvin facing a fitness test on a hamstring injury.

Manager Colin Myers said: “We’re going to give it a right go. If we play like we did on Wednesday night against Ashington, then we’ve got a chance. That was our best performance of the season.”

Fylde won the Vase under their previous name of Kirkham and Wesham five years ago, but even though they have very good home form, they have struggled away from home this season.

West Auckland could cause a shock against Harrogate Town, another Conference North team, at Darlington Road, but manager Peter Dixon is aware that they must defend better than in their last two matches against Spennymoor and Bedlington which they’ve lost.

“The mistakes we’re making in defence are making our task harder. We can’t afford to allow teams to have a head start, especially against Conference North clubs,” he said.

Dixon will probably have a full squad to choose from.

Spennymoor are the only team out of the quartet to be playing away, at Trafford from the Evostik North First Division.

Leading scorer Gavin Cogdon and midfielder Joe Walton are both unavailable, while another striker, Micky Rae, is still missing because of a hamstring injury.

Moors boss Jason Ainsley said: “I’m sure that it will be a good game between two teams that are going well in their respective leagues. Going by the reports we have had and the results they are having it is going to be a very very tough game!!, They are a very good passing side which might suit us but for the first time this season we are going to playing as underdogs which eases a little pressure for us and hopefully we can enjoy the occasion and put a performance on for the fans who will be travelling down in large numbers."

In the other FA Cup ties, Whitby are at home to Droylsden, who knocked Darlington out four years ago, and Blyth are at home to Workington.

In the EBAC Northern League , Dunston are looking for revenge for their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Darlington earlier in the season when they meet at the UTS stadium.

Dunston have won twice in the past week to turn their season around, and today they add strikers Steve Goddard and Lewis Teasdale, as well as midfielder Dale Burrell, to their squad.

Newton Aycliffe are hoping to bounce back from their midweek thumping at Consett when they go to Newcastle Benfield. Keeper Scott Pocklington returns to the starting line up, as does defender Darren Craddock, but midfielders Danny Lambert and Kris Hughes are both doubtful. Benfield will give a fitness test to striker Stephen Young, while manager Perry Briggs could sign a new striker.

Durham City are hoping for better luck on their latest trip into Northumberland to face Whitley Bay, having lost 6-2 at both Ashington and Bedlington this season. Striker Josh Home-Jackson left the club during the week for Sunderland RCA, while manager Dickie Ord is still without Evann Graham because of injury. Whitley manager Ian Chandler could include at least one new signing, but he will almost certainly give striker Ashley Davis, signed from Blyth, his home debut. Defender Callum Anderson returns after injury.

Norton go across to Celtic Nation, looking for a big improvement on their 8-1 drubbing by Whitley Bay in midweek, and manager Andy Campbell welcomes back seven players who missed that embarrassing defeat, including strikers Anthony Hume and Liam Woodhouse. CN are missing keeper Dan Lowson because of injury, but Adam Boyd ,Jeff Smith , player manager Steve Skinner, Craig Wilson, and Tyran Taylor all return.

Billingham Synthonia are badly hit by injuries for their away game at Bedlington, with six players missing but at least midfielders Jamie Blyth and Dan Newby both return. Bedlington include new signing Phil Cave from Ashington in their squad.

Guisborough , who have won their last six matches in league and cup, are at Billingham Town, and they will be missing keeper Ben Escritt and Nathan Evans, but Gary Wood and Jake Matthews both return to the squad.

Town, who have yet to pick up a point this season in six league matches, are without key striker Micky Dunwell because of injury, while midfielder Matty Garbutt will have a fitness test on an ankle injury.

Marske , boosted by their midweek win over Billingham Town, are at home to Consett, and they will give new signing James Magowan his second game after signing him in midweek from Dunston. Consett, boosted by their 7-2 home win over Newton Aycliffe in midweek, are nevertheless still badly hit by injuries, with five players out, plus Ryan Bell who is on holiday. Andrew Cuthbertson, Anthony Lund and Harrison Davies could all return.

Hebburn take on South Shields in a local derby, and will go third in the table if they win.

Sunderland RCA will probably give a home debut to new signing Josh Home-Jackson in their home game against Penrith, but they will be missing six defenders because of injury, so manager Neil Hixon will probably have play some people out of position. Penrith scored 15 in a midweek Cumberland Cup tie.

Ashington are at home to Team Northumbria, and will give midfielder Mark O’Dea a fitness test.

Second Division leaders Ryhope CW stage the match of the day against Whitehaven, who are in fourth place. Dean Arkley definitely misses the game, while Ross Stead, Greg Swansbury, Chris Trewick and Grant Bulmer will all have fitness tests.

Striker Chris Winn, who has scored 11 league goals this season, is being watched by several clubs higher up the ladder.

Third placed Darlington RA are looking for an improved performance after two cup defeats when they go to Alnwick, and manager Nick Harrison could make changes, although he will be without midfielder Steve Cheeseman.

Northallerton , who are second, are at home to Seaham Red Star, and they welcome back keeper Stephen Craggs and striker James Bowman, but they’re still missing defender Stephen Banks. Seaham are without suspended keeper Shaun Newbrook, while Luke Proctor and Adam Bell are missing because of work.

Crook are at home to Birtley, and they will be without defenders Graham Liddle and Ian Maddison, while there is a question mark over keeper Barry Poskett. Birtley have had some turmoil in the last fortnight, with previous joint manager Scott Oliver quitting, but then returning following the departure of the other joint manager, Barrie Fleming. Keeper Scott Garrett is struggling through injury, but defender Jack Quantrill and striker Ben Johnson both return after missing the midweek game.

Tow Law face Stokesley at Ironworks Road, and they include new signing Dan Wilson from South Shields, while another recent signing, Shaun Ryder, has recovered from injury and is added to the squad. Stokesley could be missing their regular keeper Graeme Willey and midfielder Danny Jones because of injury, while Ross Hodgson, Martin McManus and James Fenwick are all missing.

Horden, who have lost their last two games by 6-0, are at home to Esh Winning, and manager Peter Mulcaster is hoping to add at least two new signings to his squad. Esh boss Andrew Soppitt only had 14 players to choose from at Northallerton in midweek, and is hoping at least two can return.

Chester-le-Street are at home to West Allotment, and manager Colin Wake is missing four players for various reasons -- Michael Robson, Adam Strong, Michael Hepplewhite and David Henderson – but Adam Scope returns. Allotment player-manager Paul Stoneman is doubtful, while Aiden Ames, Liam Hudson and Tony Lancaster are all missing.

Jarrow Roofing are at bottom club Ryton and Crawcrook, and manager Richie McLoughlin adds Michael Hedley and Darren Reay to his squad.

Thornaby , who played well in midweek at Guisborough in the league cup even though they lost, are at home to Washington and they welcome back defenders Steve Hodgson and Alex Dougall, while skipper Steve Morrison will have a fitness test.

Whickham go to Morpeth and are missing six regulars, but Alu Bangura, Sam McIntosh and Craig Rook are all added to the squad.

In the Durham Challenge Cup, Brandon are at Gateshead Leam Rangers, and have several players missing for their 2pm kick off.