There is no doubt where the match of the day is with third-top Birtley Town hosting leaders Wolviston.

The Teessiders enjoy a six-point lead over their opponents, but Birtley have three games in hand.

"It is a massive game for both teams. We won our fourth game in nine days defeating Redcar Town in midweek, but we have got to maintain the momentum," said Birtley manager Dave Smith. With sides playing midweek matches, it is difficult for them to field first choice line-ups, but Smith is hopeful of being able to put out a strong squad this afternoon.

Wolviston secured a narrow win over Stokesley SC on Wednesday which took them into pole position for the first time this season. They are now two points ahead of Stokesley SC having played the same number of matches.

"The midweek result was a real fillip, but today's game is another crunch fixture," declared Wolviston official Andy Anderson.

Manager Graham Howard will be able to call upon Simon Colligan and Paul Kreczak, who both missed the Stokesley match, but Kieron White is doubtful after sustaining an eye injury on Wednesday. Doubts also surround the availability of Gareth Richardson and Mark James.

Stokesley need to defeat Harton and Westoe to keep their championship challenge alive, but they too will be forced into changes.

Matty Homan is still missing and so too are Warren Gregson, who is away, and the injured Paul Aldridge.

Secretary Peter Grainge reports that Michael Wilson should be back following an injury to his groin and James Alsop is likely to make the starting line-up.

Stanley United face the long trip to Whitehaven boosted by the news that no fewer than five players are available. Alan Humble, John Holmes, Shaun Gregory, Paul Bellamy and John Liddle all come into the plans of manager Vince Kirkup, but Joncharles Gott, who played in the last match, is unavailable and so too is the injured Chris Burn. New Marske will have goalkeeper Lee Lucas returning for their home fixture with Annfield Plain, who are hoping to finish the season in the top half of the table. Redcar Town, heavily defeated in midweek, are likely to include a number of youngsters in their line-up for the visit of Windscale, especially as Lee Bytheway, Gary Piper and David Atkinson are all sidelined.

North Shields and Darlington RA meet for the second time in six days. The Robins defeated RA on Easter Monday to lift the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and today the teams will be competing for a place in the final of the Wearside League Cup.

The Shieldsmen are without Dominic Graham, who is unlikely to play again this season and doubts surround the fitness of Anthony Robson and Martin Lamb, who was taken to hospital during the match at Brinkburn Road.

RA manager David Woodcock could be without four regular players. Mark Radmore and Gary Hornsby definitely sit out the game and Martin Brown is very doubtful, while Paul Freary is starting the cricket season with Darlington RA.