IT is a big weekend for Guisborough, who after playing Richmondshire today meet Middlesbrough at Acklam Park tomorrow in the ECB National Knockout Cup.

"We are only five points ahead of Darlington and Saltburn and it would be great if we can complete a double, but both games will be difficult," said captain Johnny May.

"After just seven matches, we are the only undefeated team and naturally everybody is out for our scalp.

"But we just have to take every game as it comes. It was not particularly easy against Saltburn last weekend but we still came through unscathed."

Today, Guisborough will be concentrating on maintaining pole position, but they would also dearly like to progress in the prestigious ECB Cup by beating Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Phil Ramage is unavailable this afternoon and his place is taken by Will McDougall.

"The lads are all up for the double and Tuesday's fixture with Darlington RA, but I will impress on them that we need to get today's match successfully out of the way first," added May.

Richmondshire, despite some encouraging displays, are fourth from bottom and they will be hopeful of another good performance from new professional Australian Michael Ponter.

Darlington have been very well served in the early games by Pakistani Hanif ur Rehman, who has added variety to the attack with his off-spinners.

They are involved in the match of the day at Saltburn and the sides go into the game on equal points, five adrift of Guisborough.

Kevin Mott returns for Darlington, replacing Lee Craggs while Saltburn also show just one change with John Wyatt making way for Umar Rashid.

Despite losing twice, Blackhall are within striking distance of the leaders ahead of their game with Redcar.

A boost to the chances of the Collierymen is the return of Graeme Bell and Dean Langridge drops into the Second XI.

Dulip Samaraweera and Martin Hood both scored unbeaten centuries as they piled up 224 without loss against Richmondshire last Sunday and if they again hit form, they will undoubtedly pose problems to the Blackhall attack.

Mattie Stokeld is home from the RAF and the Seasiders show a further alteration with the inclusion of Andy Hassack. Mick McCabe and Andy Weatherall are the players to make way.

Middlesbrough captain Danny Evans is an absentee at second-from-bottom Darlington RA.

Mark Foster fills the vacancy and RA, who enjoyed a profitable return from their two games last weekend have Andrew Russell returning for Nigel Whalley.

Marske, pleased at the form of professional Mohamed Fazil, are unchanged when they host Normanby Hall.

With two wins and three draws, the Hall have made a reasonable start and they will hope to maintain their improved form with Graeme Addison for Brian Leech their only change.

It looks like being a long hard season for Wolviston, playing in the top flight for the first time.

They are the only side without a win and are currently 27 points adrift of Darlington RA.

"We made a decision not to engage a professional. I know we are the only club in the League not to have one and we will just have to get along with the lads we've got.

"The team spirit is excellent and the players are working hard to improve their form," said Wolviston treasurer Derek Robinson.

Northallerton are visitors to Wolviston who are unable to call upon Paul Adamsom.

David Wake makes his seasonal debut for Northallerton after a month in Australia and he joins Ian Place in Ian Gill's line-up. Albert Aurelius and Rob Meynell give way.

Hartlepool are a better side than their current form suggests and they will hope to start a successful sequence winning at Thornaby.

Pool are unchanged and Thornaby captain Neil Marsden reports that junior Daniel Woods will make his league debut in place of the unavailable Matt Dex.