Bishops looking for second away league win

The sudden improvement of two of the teams in the relegation zone, Penrith and Washington, means that fifth bottom Bishops are six points above the relegation zone, so they could do with the points against Synners, who have won just once at their new Station Road home this season and are rock bottom of the table.

Manager Colin Myers is hoping to choose from a full squad after creating plenty of chances but failing to take then last week at Guisborough.

West Auckland, who are in sixth place, are at Ashington looking for their seventh away win of the season, but they will need to give fitness tests to strikers Ben Wood and Amar Purewal, as well as defender Dan Parker.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “This will be a tough game, because Ashington haven’t concede many goals at home this season.”

Third placed Shildon are looking for their first win in four matches at home to promoted Stockton Town.

Manager Danny Moore will be without midfielder Anthony Peacock and is still hoping to land a new signing in time for the game. “We’re still in a good position in the league,” he said.

Stockton had a bad start to the season, but they’re now up to 13th in the table.

Meanwhile, the constriction of a new seated stand at Dean Street is going well, with just the roof left to erect.

Newton Aycliffe go to Sunderland RCA standing eight points above the relegation zone.

Joint manager Deano Browne said; “RCA is a difficult place to go to, but we won our last game and kept a clean sheet, so we go there with confidence and we believe that e can take points off anybody in the division.”

Ben Trotter and Jamie Davis are both suspended, Gavin Wilson is working and Sean Tarling and Dan Mitton are both injured, but Liam Browne and Alan Harrison both return.

Third placed Tow Law are hoping to recover from their defeats in the Vase at Northwich and in the league at Esh Winning when they make the short journey to Brandon. Manager Steve Murray is poised to make changes, but he will definitely be without suspended trio Lewis Brown, Glenn Caygill and Chris Storey, while third bottom Brandon will be at full strength.

League leaders Northallerton are at home to Ryton and Crawcrook, and they recall several players to their squad. Skipper Dan Jones will be back along with Liam Jarvie, Karl Hewitt, Aaron Ramsbottom, Colin Anderson, Stephen Jackson, Andrew Shepherd and Shaun Hudson.

Northallerton won the reverse fixture 2-1 last month.

Esh Winning, who are up to seventh in the table after beating Tow Law last week, are at Thornaby.

Striker Kai Hewitson has returned from Tow Law, while Chris Mordue and Nick Marley both return to the squad. “we’re hoping to build on last week’s win, but we know that we face a difficult game at Thornaby.”

Crook Town, who are sixth from bottom, are at second in the table Heaton Stannington, and they will be without defenders Ryan Cole and Joe Spooner, while forward Danny Pigg returns after suspension. Manager Chris Lax said; “This will be a very tough game for us.”

Willington, who had a great win in their last outing against Shildon, go to Billingham Town and manager Rob Lee will have a full squad to choose from.

Durham City, who beat league leaders Northallerton last week , are at home to fifth placed Hebburn, and they will be missing Steve Malloy and Gary Thompson, but Phil Hayes returns.

Manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “We’re looking forward to another tough game against a side that has signed a lot of experienced players. We need to show the same character as last Saturday to get the points.”

Chester-le-Street are hoping to climb further away from the bottom two by beating bottom club Alnwick at Chester Moor.

“We just want to keep our momentum going after some encouraging recent performances,” said Chester manager Colin Wake. “We have looked more solid of late and have also been a threat in the final third which has been pleasing.”

Kieran Megran and Danny Naylor are both missing, but Ben Walker, Craig Marron, Kevin Dixon, Lee Mole and Michael Hepplewhite all return.