Former Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley says that he feels let down by the club’s board after leaving his post at Heritage Park this week.

Riley parted company with Bishops the day after their 5-2 home defeat by Consett in the FA Cup in midweek, and said that he had resigned because of “constant interference with football matters since the end of last year” and that he felt “saddened and let down by the chairman and certain members of the board in their backing of myself and the management team on certain issues over the last 8 months.

“I have felt for a while that certain board members who have no experience in football are trying to get involved in the running of team affairs and will accept all the plaudits of when things are looking rosy like our FA cup run (last season) but are happy for us to take all the blame when things don't go as would have liked instead of showing real support and ambition.”

Riley’s assistant, Colin Myers, who was brought back to the club during the summer, takes charge of the team against Newcastle Benfield this afternoon in Bishops’ first league game of the season.

New keeper Carl Robinson will probably make his league debut after signing from Team Northumbria in midweek, but striker Matty Moffat is out because of suspension and another striker, Andy Johnson is out because of injury. Aidan Hart, Dan Madden and Ben Trotter are also missing.

West Auckland are in the mood for quick revenge when they take on Penrith.

West lost away to Penrith in the FA Cup last Saturday, but they bounced back by thrashing Guisborough 9-0 in their opening league game in midweek.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “It will be a tough game as Penrith have improved from last year and the FA Cup game last Saturday was competitive.

“It was a really good performance in midweek, but that was only one game. There are another 41 to go yet.”

Forrest is forced into one change because Amar Purewal, who scored a hat trick in midweek, is unavailable.

Shildon, who came back from 2-1 down to beat Dunston UTS 4-2 in midweek, are at Jarrow Roofing, and manager Danny Moore will choose from a full squad.

“Jarrow is another difficult place to go to, just like Dunston,” said Moore. “These are the sort of games that we have to win if we’re going to push for the title.”

Newton Aycliffe face Guisborough at Moore Lane, unbeaten in their two league and cup games so far, and they will give defender Dan Mitton a late fitness test, but midfielder Marc Costello is unavailable.

Manager Deano Browne said; “We had a disappointing draw in midweek and we know that Guisborough will want to bounce back. It should be a good game between two sides that like to get the ball down and play.”

Guisborough were hammered 9-0 at West Auckland in midweek, and are weakened by injuries.

In the second division, Chester-le-Street, who won in midweek, are at Bedlington, and they are without Connor Lyon and Andrew Clarkson, while there will be fitness tests for Danny Hepplewhite, Matthew Ridley and Alex Walker.

Manager Colin Wake said; “We are looking to build on the decent opening day performance at Newton Aycliffe. The side is young, but we are optimistic that there is enough quality and experience to aid the progression of the young lads.”

Darlington RA are at Thornaby, with both clubs looking for their first win of the season. Manager Peter Mulcaster will be missing Joe Peel and Matty Hughes.

Tow Law, who are unbeaten in their two games so far, are at home to Brandon, who snatched a point with an injury time goal at Bedlington in midweek. They welcome back seven players, but Dan Quine is missing with a broken leg and Kieran Alderson is doubtful.

Durham City face Alnwick at Hall Lane in Willington and are without Jeremy Allen and Ste Malloy, otherwise they will be at full strength.

Esh Winning who led against Blyth in midweek but then lost, are at home to Heaton Stannington and will give fitness tests to Dan Kent, Callum Boakes and Jordan Gibson, while six other players return to the squad.

Esh manager Tony Boakes said; “It’s another very hard game, but we’re looking forward to playing one of the fancied teams in the division.”

Northallerton, who put six past Jarrow in midweek, host West Allotment, who drew 3-3 at Tow Law in midweek after being three goals up at one stage.