Chester-le-Street are looking for seven wins from seven when they go to West Allotment this afternoon.

Chester couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Second Division campaign, with their latest victory coming at Brandon in midweek, and manager Colin Wake said; “West Allotment is always a difficult place to go to, so we will do well to get anything from there, but we go into the game with confidence given the recent run of results even though our performances haven’t been up to scratch.”

Several players return after missing the midweek win at Brandon, but they are still missing defender Mark Peck and striker Andrew Clarkson. However, they have re-signed youngster Josh King from Carlisle Academy. Allotment are currently sixth in the table.

In the first division, Newton Aycliffe face their fifth successive local derby when they take on West Auckland at Moore Lane. Aycliffe have played Bishop Auckland three times and Shildon in the last fortnight.

Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “It’s another game we go into as underdogs and with no pressure. We are looking forward to playing against a quality West side. We are confident that we can cause them problems, but are more than aware of the quality in their team.

Liam Browne and Tom Gavin will both have fitness tests.

West will be missing winger Anthony Bell because of injury, while Michael McKeown and Tom Price are both unavailable. Striker Ben wood returns to the squad.

Bishop Auckland, who are fresh from their Vase replay win over Newton Aycliffe in midweek, are at home to Seaham Red Star. Bishops have lost just once in six league games this season.

Bishop Auckland manager Ian Chandler said; “It should be an interesting game especially after our Vase win and Seaham’s good result against West Auckland in midweek.”

Striker Chris Winn returns after suspension, but defenders Michael Hoganson and Lewis Gibbons both return.

In the other second division matches, second bottom Durham City are hoping to end a miserable run of six straight defeats when they go to newcomers Birtley, and manager Mike Weston said; “It will be another tough game. Starting a team from scratch isn’t easy, trying to get players to gel together or form partnerships, but we are slowly getting there. The lads know what they need to do.” Birtley are currently seventh in the table.

Crook are at home to bottom of the table Brandon, and they are without first choice keeper Phil Pentony because of injury, while Phil Caley is suspended and Richie Gaston ahs a broken nose, while Adam Comby and Christian Holliday are both missing.

Manager Jamie Tunstall said; “We’ve not been at our best in the last couple of weeks and this will be a tough derby game against a side desperate for points. We’ll have to roll our sleeves up if we want something from the game.”

Brandon, who have collected only one point from eight games, have doubts over Ashley Adams, Kieran Alderson and Jack Carr, while Daniel Koch, Luke bailey, Adam Lambert and Ben Joyeux all return.

In the other game, Willington are at home to Billingham Synthonia and hoping to bounce back from their Vase defeat in midweek. Dean Thexton will be set to make his first league appearance since signing from Tow Law.