NYSD League preview

THE SCENE is set for a big meeting that could set the tone for the rest of the season for the two teams concerned as leaders Hartlepool take on champions Middlesbrough today.

Pools, who were engaged in a season-long struggle in the relegation zone last year, flew out of the blocks this time with three straight wins - the first time for years they have strung such a series of results together - but hit a brick wall in the Bank Holiday match at Guisborough where bowlers ruled in a low scoring encounter.

They hold a slender fivepoint lead over the fifthplaced champions who look to be gathering themselves after a slow start to the season during which their attack has conceded heavily on home soil.

On this occasion the beautiful setting of Park Drive should provide the perfect backdrop to what promises to be a great battle.

Hartlepool have Chris Fawcett back, the youngster has made a good start to the season but missed the Bank Holiday reverse. And the team is further bolstered by the return of Ian Jackson who will be making his seasonal debut after missing the first few weeks through work commitments.

For Boro it’s a double weekend as they take on Blackhall tomorrow in a re-arranged fixture.

Yassir Shah won’t be here in time for this weekend, but Liam Botham is recovered from a back injury and plays, and Kyle Coetzer is available.

Guisborough sit a point behind the joint leaders and with confidence boosted by Monday’s result they travel to Mandale Bottoms to take on a Thornaby side who have lost three consecutive matches after an opening day win.

The home club welcome back Ian Macdonald, but are still no nearer knowing when Pakistani pro Khurram Shehzad will arrive in the country.

The Priorymen are able to draft Ryan Murray back into their squad with Jonathon Coates retaining his place after performing well last weekend.

The arrival of Durham man Paul Wiseman has had a dramatic effect at Cricket Lane, and following three wins from four outings Normanby Hall share league leadership with Hartlepool. They travel to Marske today expecting to be unchanged although their hosts have drafted in Ben Walker and Jon Pickard to replace the holidaying Gary Lynch and working Col Haslett.

Unbeaten Marton are tucked in four points behind the leading trio, and they have a chance to improve further when they entertain bottom club Billingham. Yorkshire’s Lee Hodgson is expected to play for the home side following recovery from an Achilles injury, but the Synners are still uncertain as to when Sri Lankan Nisal Randika will arrive.

Skipper Dave Fairley is on holiday, but Danny Nowell is back.

Darlington have still to record their first win but have a home game with Bishop Auckland to rectify that.

Quakers skipper Garry Moody has made the unusual decision to stand down for the weekend and spectate, with Danny Morgans stepping up.

Liam Coates, who made a successful debut for the Durham Academy last week, is also expected to play.

Bishops will hand a debut to new signing Graeme Wrightson.

The former Hartlepool and Guisborough stumper has just been transferred from Thirsk and will allow Paul Furby to retire gracefully for the second time in his career.

Ben Usher also returns to put Bishops at full strength.

Unchanged Great Ayton entertain Blackhall who have Stuart Lobb back in the starting line-up after recovery from injury, and Richmondshire welcome Shani Dissanayake home, the Sri Lankan now in possession of his visa. He should be here in time to turn out against visitors Northallerton who bring in Dave Wake and John Robinson.