Shildon player/manager Danny Moore says that he won’t be choosing himself in the starting line up on many more occasions.

Moore, who has been manager for two years, will be more in the technical area now alongside Mark Hudson, who will be helping with the coaching now that assistant manager Micky Barron has left the club by mutual agreement.

“I’m going to take a step back from playing,” said Moore.

“I’ll still go on the bench and maybe come on as sub occasionally for 20 minutes, but I feel that by taking a step back, I’ll be able to get my point across and how I want us to play, which is difficult to do while I’m playing.

“It’s difficult being a player-manager, and I had to make the decision on whether to play for two more years or be a manager, and I’ve chosen to be a manager.

“We’re planning now for next season and we want to build on what we’ve got.”

Shildon will be close to full strength this afternoon for their away game at bottom club Penrith. During the week, defender Leon Carling went to Thornaby and striker Danny Earl to Guisborough.

Third placed Bishop Auckland go to Guisborough aiming to keep the pressure on the top two.

However, striker Chris Winn and defender Aidan Hart are both missing because of injury, but otherwise they will have a full squad.

Manager Ian Chandler said; “We let ourselves down badly in the reverse fixture drawing 3-3 at home but we had only nine men for the final 20 minutes. Hopefully we’ll keep eleven men on the pitch and bring home the win to keep us near the top of the table.

Guisborough are currently fourth bottom of the table, a point above the relegation zone.

West Auckland, who are fourth, face a tough away game at Newcastle Benfield.

West are unbeaten in their last ten league and cup matches, have nine players out injured, with Steve Snaith, who scored one of the goals last week at Avro, added to the list. New signing David Dowson, signed from Consett, is almost certain to start the game. Midfielder Tom Portas will have a fitness test.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “Both teams have gone ten games unbeaten, so it will be a tough test. They have tremendous firepower so we will need to defend well.”

Benfield have raced up the table in recent weeks under new manager Tom Wade and are into the last 32 of the Vase.

Newton Aycliffe, who are unbeaten in their last four away games, go to third bottom Whickham.

They will include new signing Ali Ashbab in their squad, but they will be missing full back Alan Harrison while Josh Rodgers is doubtful.

Manager Deano Browne said; “We’re looking forward to challenging ourselves against an improving Whickham side. Both of us are better teams than when we played earlier in the season. It should be a good test for us as they are confident and in good form.”

The sides drew 1-1 at Moore Lane in August.

In the other first division matches, leaders Consett are at Ashington, and second placed Dunston are at Seaham Red Star. Stockton Town are at home to Sunderland RCA In the second division, Northallerton, who are third, are at second bottom Brandon.

Darren Trotter’s side have won their last five matches, but they will be missing Kieran McWaters because of injury, while Kerry Hedley and Aaron Ramsbottom will both have fitness tests.

Manager Darren Trotter said; “We played well last week for spells, but we can still improve and get better.”

Brandon, who have won twice in their last three matches, expect to be at full strength.

Fourth placed Chester-le-Street, who won for the first time in four games last week, go to Ryton and Crawcrook.

Scott Robson and Dan Candlish are both missing through injury, but Craig Marron and Jack Oliver both return. Manager Colin Wake said; “Ryton gave us a run around earlier in the season and we expect them to be very bright again on Saturday. We have a plan to try and stop them playing and impose our own game on them, but it will be a tough ask.”

Ryton are in midtable going into the game.

Fifth placed Willington have a big away game at Heaton Stannington, who are one place above them in the table. Manager Rob Lee expects to choose from a full-strength squad as they try to reduce the seven point gap on the promotion places.

Durham City’s new manager, Billy Harper, takes charge of his first home game against Easington, and he is hoping to add five more new players to his squad on top of the five that he signed last week after he was appointed. City are currently bottom of the table, eleven points off safety.

“The squad is coming together and if training sessions are to go by, we will put on a good performance.”

Crook Town go to Redcar, who are two places and two points below them. James Cook, Richie Gaston and Jim Wilson are all unavailable, but Brandon Morrison, Alex Wilson and Joe Peel all return.

Manager Jamie Tunstall said; “I was impressed with Redcar when I saw them earlier in the season. They were well-organised and caused us problems going forward but we dug in that night and despite being a man down and two goals down, we got something from the game. I expect another tough game and difficult conditions. I know the lads are desperate to put last week’s disappointing result right.”

Esh Winning, who are five points ahead of second bottom Brandon, are at Bedlington, and they include new signings Lewis Alderson and Kieron Dunn from the Darlington academy. Striker Daniel Kent is also included.

Tow Law, who are level with Esh Winning, have an away game at Jarrow.

The big game in the division is the Billingham derby at Norton between Synthonia and Town.

The draw for the quarter finals of the North Riding Senior Cup is: Scarborough Athletic v Guisborough, Marske united v Thornaby, Whitby Town v Middlesbrough Under 23/Reserves, York City v Redcar Athletic.