Shildon manager Gary Forrest wants an immediate improvement when the Railwaymen recommence their Northern League campaign at home to Bedlington on Saturday.

Shildon reached the last qualifying round of the FA Cup last season, but they were knocked out at the first hurdle in midweek in a home replay against Bishop Auckland, conceding their first goals of the season in the process.

“Everyone knows that I don’t care much for the FA Cup, last season’s great run was forgotten by Christmas and by the end of the season it was as if it had never happened,” said Forrest. “That said we hate losing games so if we are to lose one this early on in the season it would be in the FA cup. Hopefully it gives us a wake up call and reminds the lads that playing pretty football is lovely on the eye but won’t win you anything if you don’t do the basics well like defending, tackling, closing down and protecting the ball.” Bedlington have yet to win in league and cup this season.

Newton Aycliffe, who haven’t lost yet this season in league and cup, are at Seaham Red Star and manager Peter Dixon will choose from a full squad.

Boosted by their midweek derby win at Shildon, Bishop Auckland go to Penrith. Several players, including hat trick hero Andy Johnson, have niggling injuries, but they will definitely be missing striker Kyle Davis because of his cricket commitments, while midfielder Sean Tarling is still injured.

West Auckland manager Andy Campbell celebrated his first win as West manager in midweek, and they are at home to early league leaders Morpeth, but they will be without Lee Farrington, John Seaton, Jack Proctor, Liam Hodgson, Shaun Hudson and Michael Jameson for various reasons. Morpeth welcome back striker Jordan Fry, but defenders Chris Jewels and Shaun Bell are both injured.

Two teams expected to do well in the league this season, Consett and Guisborough, meet at Belle View. Consett, who scored eight in midweek against Billingham Synthonia, are missing five players for various reasons, so some of the fringe players will be given an opportunity. Guisborough, who are in fourth place, welcome back midfielder Chay Liddle, but Leon Carling and Ben Jackson are both missing.

Norton’s new manager, Deano Browne, takes his side to champions Marske United. Browne took over last weekend following the sacking of Adam Rundle, and will be missing defender Dale Mulligan because of injury, but another defender, Danny O’Brien returns to the squad. Marske are without skipper Craig Gott, so Adam Wheatley takes over the captaincy. Midfielder Austin Johnston is available for the first time this season.

Durham City are at Ashington, and they have been hit by an injury to defender Dan Dillon, who broke his leg at Morpeth in midweek. However, striker James Fairley and defender Chris Wallace both return. Ashington, who are looking for their first league points, are without James Taylor, Gareth Williams and Kyle Oliver, while Ben Christensen will have a fitness test.

Dunston UTS, who have scored 18 goals so far in their three matches, are at home to Whitley Bay. Manager Billy Irwin will choose from a full squad with the exception of striker Micky Dixon who is unavailable. Whitley welcome back Kris Goss while they will give fitness tests to Chris Reid, Callum Anderson, Jake Richardson and Sam Norris.

Jarrow Roofing take on Sunderland RCA in a local derby, and they will be missing defender Dan Kirkup and Kieran Wrightson because of injury, but defender Corey Barnes returns. The RCA are without Clayton Davies, Callum Hope, Cliff Byrne and James Armstrong, while keeper Jordan Harkess and striker Liam Hatch will both have fitness tests.

North Shields are at home to Washington and will be missing four forwards for various reasons – Denver Morris, Gareth Bainbridge, Dean Holmes and Gary Day -- so it will mean a home debut for Jordan Summerly, who scored at Penrith in midweek. Washington are without Michael Coghlan and Aaron Croft.

Shields have banned a fan for the season after he encroached on the field during their FA Cup tie at Bridlington last Saturday.

Newcastle Benfield are at West Allotment, and they will be without keeper Andy Grainger, while they have lost full back Michael Hoganson to Spennymoor. Striker Dean Walker returns, but Stephen Baptiste and Chris Hardy are both missing.

In the second division, Crook are at Alnwick and will have a full squad to choose from.

After two defeats in the last week, Tow Law need to bounce back at home to Whickham, and they are boosted by the returns of defender Chris Killeen and striker Kai Hewitson.

Willington are at home to South Shields, and they are boosted by the return of striker Adam Burnicle, but they have a doubt over midfielder David Lee. Four players could be missing though – Lewis Milner, Michael Gibson, Stephen Howe and Adam Pinkney. Shields are missing striker Paul Kane because of suspension, while midfielder David Foley is a big injury doubt. They include new midfielder Robbie Briggs, signed from Spennymoor.

Billingham Synthonia host Darlington RA at Central Avenue and are without suspended defender Josh Rowbotham and injured keeper Guy Craggs. They include Matty Osmond, who has returned to the club from Marske United. The RA had a morale boosting win over Birtley in midweek, and welcome back keeper Phil Pentony and midfielder Christian Holliday, while they will give fitness tests to Liam Brown, Sam England, Jordan Hanratty and Rikki Gann.

Billingham Town have a tough home game against Heaton Stannington, and they will be missing goalkeeper Shaun Scotter and leading scorer Craig Lines, while Danny Maloney and Joel Callender both return to the squad.

Northallerton, who have scored 14 goals in their games so far, are at home to Easington, and manager Danny Mellanby xxx.

Easington are without Shane O’Brien and David Paul because of suspension, and Liam Gill, Marc Moon and John Bewick because of injury. But Aidan Heywood, Brett Gillett and Bryan Norton all come back into the squad.

Joint top Chester-le-Street , having lost just once in four league games so far, are at Brandon but they will be missing Lee Mole, Jake Stafford, Aaran Reynolds and Kevin Dixon.

Hebburn are at home to Esh Winning, and have signed James Talbot from South Shields, but they will be missing Scott Wallace and Callum Smith because of holidays Birtley face the league leaders Team Northumbria, who have a 100 per cent record from their three games so far.

Ryhope CW, who are in eighth place, are at home to Thornaby and welcome back several players who missed the midweek FA Cup tie with Whitley Bay. Manager Gary Pearson played in midweek, but he will probably now leave himself out of the squad. Thornaby are without striker Richie Walker, who scored the winner in midweek against Alnwick.

In the other game, bottom club Stokesley are at home to Ryton and Crawcrook.