While the focus today may be on the Seaham derby between the Park and Harbour, the other team from the town are involved in a game that could well define how they fare in the rest of the season.

Third-placed Dawdon have won their last two games to gain ground on the teams above them, but so too have Washington, a run that has seen them move menacingly into fourth.

The hosts' main doubt is over professional Darren Hickey who has been carrying a groin strain for a couple of weeks, and while he may play after injections, he may also decide to give it a further week's rest given that his side are otherwise at full-strength.

Definitely playing will be his son Adam, who has been released by the Academy for this one, and with Lee Rushworth and Nick Thompson also back the home team look strong.

Dawdon travel with Scott Cahill and Tabs Shah stepping up to replace the unavailable Craig Stephenson and Jamie Greenwood.

Although making up a couple of points on leaders Murton when the two slugged out a stalemate last weekend, the match left Seaham Park with a mix of emotions - both relief and frustration featuring.

Park will have an unchanged side for the visit of their local rivals, the game witnessing a welcome return to the club by Stuart Pattison. One absentee for the Harbour is Stuart Lacey with Andy Stephenson called up to replace him.

Leaders Murton were relieved to salvage the draw, a result that kept them ten points clear at the top of the table, and they have a full strength side in the field when they entertain a Peterlee team that has three of the six missing players returning with Glen Riddle, Andrew Laidler and Connor Pearson back in harness.

Chris Pringle returns to the Silksworth team who are looking to avenge a recent league cup beating when they entertain Boldon CA.

The champions already have a mountain to climb if they are to retain their title as they are now 72 points behind the leaders and have yet to register a victory.

Dave Tate and Brian Conlon are back for this one, although there are four absentees, including skipper Lee Jackson.

Elsewhere Hylton have Gavin Barnes returning for the visit of a Bill Quay team which should include Berwick Hall, and Ryhope will be missing Micky Thorpe so Paul Howe earns promotion for the home game against Easington who include the returning Andrew Price.