Spennymoor Town take their remarkable 100 percent record to South Shields this afternoon.
The champions for the last three seasons have won all seven of their league games so far, and have yet to concede a goal in the league – only Trafford have succeeded in finding the back of their net in the FA Cup.
Manager Jason Ainsley said: “It’s always a tough place to go and especially now as South Shields are flying at present. We are looking strong all over the park and look a real threat going forward which will always give us a chance. We just have to keep the momentum going and keep the pressure on the teams who have played more league games than us.”
Striker Micky Rae and midfielder Joe Walton will both be missing.
Even though it’s early in the season, the bottom two clubs, Newton Aycliffe and Billingham Town, meet in a six pointer at Moore Lane. Aycliffe welcome back midfielder Kris Hughes and midfielder Tom Hinchley, but they are still without defender John Close. Town, who like Aycliffe have won just once this season, welcome back defender Jamie Middleton, but midfielder Matty Garbutt and striker Micky Dunwell are both doubtful.
Whitley Bay face West Auckland at Hillheads, the two teams having faced each other there in the Vase last season. Whitley include two new signings in their squad, striker James Novak and defender Brad Brooking from Bedlington and Hebburn respectively, but defenders Callum Anderson and Craig MacFarlane are both missing.
West, who have a midweek FA Cup replay at Harrogate next week, will be at full strength.
Billingham Synthonia, at home to Shildon , are still without several players because of injury, but they have signed midfielder Nathan Wilson from Newton Aycliffe to replace Craig Gott, who has gone to Darlington.
Shildon, who lost their unbeaten record in midweek, are with midfielder Chris Hughes because of injury.
Durham City are at home to Norton, and manager Dickie Ord will be missing Craig Hindmarch, Evann Graham and first choice keeper James Winter. Norton’s squad is considerably strengthened with the additions of keeper Jim Provett, plus outfield players Dave Alderson, Mark Lilley, Karl Richards and Richie Storr. However, midfielder Shaun Clarke is missing because of suspension.
Guisborough are at home to Ashington, and they have an injury doubt over first choice keeper Ben Escritt, as well as defender Paul Roddam. Nathan Steel, Mark Casey, Jake Matthews and Jack Connor all return to the squad Ashington, who appointed former North Shields boss Anthony Woodhouse as their new number two during the week, will give defender Gareth Williams a fitness test before the game, while they have signed their former centre half Matty Grieve from Darlington.
Consett take on Hebburn at Belle Vue, having already beaten them in the Vase last month. Scott Martindale, Luke Sullivan and Steven Aiston will all have fitness tests while Steve Callan, Harrison Davies and Anthony Lund should return.
Hebburn will be without defender Lee Harrison and striker Liam McBryde, but manager Paul Bennett will leave team selection until the last minute.
Sunderland RCA are at home to Marske , but manager Neil Hixon is missing Ross Preston, David Gordon, Dale Jardine and Jonny Butler because of injury, which Richie Paxton and Wayne Henderson are both working.
Marske have put striker Danny Brunskill on the transfer list.
Dunston, who are second bottom, are away to Penrith and manager Billy Irwin expects to choose from a full squad as they try to regain last season’s winning form.
In the other first division game, Bedlington are at home to Team Northumbria.
In the second division, leaders Ryhope CW, who are five points clear, are at Washington , and they are missing top scorer Jonny Butler because of suspension as well as Phil Hall, while keeper Chris Rookes and outfield players Richie Jordan and Grant Bulmer all return. There are fitness tests for James Cooke, Michael Charlton and Nathan Johnson. Washington have five players injured, while Lee Donnelly and Chris Locke will both have fitness tests.
Second placed Northallerton have a derby game at Stokesley , who were beaten by a last minute goal in midweek. They will be without leading scorer Carl Chillingsworth and midfielder James Briggs, but back into the squad come keeper Stephen Craggs and defender Craig Winter. Stokesley are without leading scorer Ben Bonner , but he will probably be replaced by Ross Hodgson, while midfielder Matthew Hodgson returns.
Darlington RA, who are in third, are at home to Horden, and they will be missing injured player-manager Nick Harrison, while Horden are hoping that a couple of players will return after injury.
Crook Town, who are in midtable, are at home to Alnwick, and are missing suspended keeper Barry Poskett, while Chris Wallace, Iain Bickerstaff, Corey Barnes and Graeme Liddle are also missing.
Chester-le-Street , who are in midtable, are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and they will give new signing from Seaham , Michael Pattison, his debut, but they are missing Michael Robson, David Henderson and Rhys Weir, but striker Michael Hepplewhite and defender Mark Gaffney are added to the squad. Roofing will give former Darlington striker Paul Robinson a fitness test, and are without Michael Hedley, Josh Allen and Lee Hamilton Tow Law, who are in fifth, are away to Whickham, and top scorer, Matty Scott, will have a fitness test before the game along with midfielder Shaun Ryder, while Adam McVickers is definitely out. Whickham are without Sam McIntosh and Ian Robson, but Liam Poppleton returns.
Birtley, who are fifth bottom, are at home to Thornaby and include three new signings, Gary Bailes, Peter Henderson and Chris Smith, but they are missing midfielder Kevin Dixon, who has a broken wrist. Thornaby welcome back defender Neil Wilkinson and forward Dave Howe.
Esh Winning, who have lost their two matches, are at home to North Shields, and they add Steve Oakley and Michael Graver to their squad.
In the other games, unbeaten Morpeth are away to Ryton, West Allotment go to Whitehaven, and Seaham Red Star are at home to Brandon.
Bishop Auckland play their outstanding Durham Challenge Cup tie at Wearside League Stockton Town, and they welcome back striker Dan Hawkins after injury, but they are still missing Stuart Salvin, Craig Hodgson and Adam McLane, so assistant manager Steve West is on standby to go on the bench.
In the FA Trophy, Whitby are at Chorley, and Blyth are at Witton Albion.
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