Billingham Town could be playing their last ever game in the STL Northern League when they face Dunston at Bedford Terrace on Saturday.

Town are due in court next week to defend themselves against Football League neighbours Billingham Town over their ground lease, and if the decision goes against them, then they will be made homeless and possibly forced to quit the league.

Secretary Glenn Youngman said: “Our future really is in the balance. If the court decision goes against us next week, then the club could very easily fold, because we’ll have nowhere to play.”

Town add midfielder Craig Perry to the squad that knocked Darlington RA out of the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek, while Dunston hope to have striker Steve Goddard back in their squad.

League leaders Consett, who surprisingly lost at Newton Aycliffe in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek, have a big game at home to Whitley Bay, and they will be without injured midfielder Jonjo Dickman, while defender Ryan Bell and striker Scott Martindale will both have fitness tests. Midfielder Anthony Lund will probably return to the side. Whitley, who are in sixth place eight points behind with two games in hand, will be without defender Craig MacFarlane, but otherwise they will be at full strength.

Spennymoor, who are two points behind the leaders, host second bottom Esh Winning at the Brewery Field, and they have a big doubt over top scorer Micky Rae, who suffered a head injury at Tow Law in midweek. Defender Callum Griffiths is suspended, but new signing Alex Francis from Gateshead will make his home debut.

Former Moors manager Peter Mulcaster, now at Esh, will be without midfielder Craig Marron, who is suspended, while he is hoping to add to his squad before the game.

Bishop Auckland, whose new ground at Tindale Crescent is officially opened on Sunday afternoon, go to Ashington, who are in the second season on their new ground. Bishops boss Colin Myers welcomes back midfielder Steve Salvin and defender mark Henson to a squad which won 5-0 at Shildon in midweek. Striker Adam Emson will probably be out because of injury. Ashington will give fitness tests to defender Iain Nickalls and midfielder Steven Shaw, and have signed Jonny Wightman from South Shields and Chris Scott from Hebburn.

West Auckland are at home to Tow Law, who lost 5-0 at home to Spennymoor in midweek, and they will be missing midfielder Tom Berj, who is suspended. Tow Law are struggling up front, with Carl Pottinger and Mattie Scott suspended, but top scorer Greg Halliday returns. Player-manager Ian Davison is still missing because of injury.

Shildon go to Stokesley, who haven’t won in eight matches. Shildon manager Gary Forrest is bound to make changes after their midweek flop against Bishop Auckland, with Justin Keegan, Jamie Harwood and Andy Johnson all possibly coming back.

Norton, who put Darlington out of the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek, are at home to Sunderland RCA, and they add several players who missed the midweek game, including defenders Craig Bishop and Richie Gaston, as well as midfielder Shaun Clarke. The RCA have steadily climbed out of the relegation zone in recent weeks, and former Sunderland midfielder Martin Smith returns to their squad, along with Michael Coghlan. Marc Ellison and Joe Walton are both missing.

Billingham Synthonia go across the A66 to Penrith, who haven’t won at home yet this season, and they will be missing striker Michael Jameson because of injury, but Chris Smith replaces him.

South Shields face Jarrow Roofing in a local derby at Filtrona Park, and welcome back midfielder Lee-Paul Scroggins and defender Carl Thorp, while Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin could make changes after losing heavily at home to Ashington last week.

In the other games, fifth placed Bedlington are at home to third bottom West Allotment, and fourth placed Newcastle Benfield are at home to bottom club Ryton.