SHILDON manager Danny Moore says that his team can afford to relax for their tough away FA cup tie at Tadcaster Albion.

The Railwaymen travel to West Yorkshire hoping to pull off a preliminary round shock against the EvoStik League East side, who were beaten in the play offs last season.

“This will be a very tough game, because Tadcaster just missed out on promotion, and they’ve invested heavily in their team since,” said Moore.

“But we’re in good form going into the game, we haven’t lost in five league games, so the lads have earned the right to relax instead of being under pressure.”

Midfielder Keith Graydon, on loan from Morpeth, has been cleared to play by his parent club, but youngster Harry Thompson, on loan from York, hasn’t been.

West Auckland, meanwhile, have an all Northern League tie at Newcastle Benfield, which in turns pits two of the best strikers in the league, Nathan Fisher of West and Paul Brayson of Benfield, against each other.

“This will be a tough game, and it will boil down to who takes their chances on the day,” said manager Gary Forrest, who will have a full squad available except for midfielder Anthony Bell, who has an ankle injury.

In the first division of the Northern League, Bishop Auckland go to Newton Aycliffe hoping to extend their unbeaten start to five league matches.

Bishops battled back for a point in midweek with nine men to draw with Guisborough to put them sixth in the table, and they will be missing defender Kieran Galbraith because of suspension and midfielder Kyle Patton who is unavailable. Kyle Fryatt should return, but there are doubts over Chris Salmon and Callum Patton.

Manager Ian Chandler said; “We’re really looking forward to the game – we’re determined to secure the three points and keep our unbeaten run going.”

For Aycliffe, Ross Hutchinson and Alan Harrison are both missing, while Kurt Matthews will have a fitness test.

Manager Deano Browne said; “I think it's a bit of a random one from the Northern League to pile another fixture into an already congested start of the season but really looking forward to the derby and testing ourselves against a Bishop side who have started well.”

Aycliffe are currently tenth in the table.

Meanwhile, there is a strong possibility that Blyth AFC, who are unbeaten this season, could fold in the near future. Chairman Barry Elliott has revealed that the club is “unsustainable” with gates of less than 100 watching them play home games at Ashington, where they groundshare. If they fold, it would mean that the division will operate with 18 clubs for the rest of the season, four fewer than last year.

In the second division, Chester-le-Street take their 100 per cent record from four games to Durham City, and they will be without Andrew Clarkson, Michael Hepplewhite and Joe Grant, while Conor Lyon will have a fitness test.

Manager Colin Wake said; “We travel in good spirits after a good start to the season. We won’t be resting on our laurels and we will go there expecting a tough game.”

Durham are playing their second game inside 48 hours after being thumped 7-0 at Easington on Thursday night, and manager Mike Weston is certain to make changes after failing to score for the fourth successive game.

Northallerton, who are seventh, are at home to West Allotment two places above them, and they will be without Josh Knox, who is injured.

Crook, who are in sixth place, with only defeat in five league matches, are at Ryton and Crawcrook. Manager Jamie Tunstall said; “I expect a very difficult game. Ryton have started the season well and we’ll have to do better than in our 2-2 draw on Wednesday against Redcar to get something out of the game.”

Striker Chris Dunwell, who scored a last minute equaliser in midweek, is unavailable, while Calum Johnston is out injured and Callum Smith will have a late fitness test.

Tow Law are hoping to recover from their midweek 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Jarrow when they go to Bedlington, and they are strengthened by the returns of Scott Lowery, David Mitchell, Adam Nicholls and Liam Whitworth all return to the squad. “We need to get our full squad together and put a run of form together,” said manager Steve Murray.

Brandon have a tough home game against promotion chasing Thornaby as they look for their first win of the season, and they’re weakened by the injury worries over Joe Joyce, Brandon Turnbull, Craig Hindmarch, Kieran Alderson and Jordan Lee. However, that opens the door for Carl Robinson, Daniel Koch, Luke Bailey and Ben Clarke to come into the team.

Esh Winning are up against Billingham Town, who are flying at the top of the league, and they’re missing eight players for various reasons.

Manager Tony Boakes said; “This is a tough game, it will be one of our hardest of the season, it’s a great opportunity for lads who have been on the bench in the last few games to claim starting spots.”

Billingham have won all four of their league games so far this season, scoring 18 times in the process.

Willington, who had a good win over Heaton Stannington in midweek, could go into the top six if they win at Jarrow. Manager Rob Lee will choose from a squad of 16 players.