NEWTON Aycliffe manager Deano Browne has warned his players to be aware of a reaction from Newcastle Benfield when they go to Tyneside on Saturday.

Benfield parted company with former Darlington player Mark Convery as manager in midweek, with the side fourth bottom of the table just three points above the relegation zone.

Aycliffe are three points above them in twelfth, and Browne said: “We know that Benfield will be a tough game and sometimes it can be more difficult if they don’t have a gaffer or there’s a new one appointed before the game. We have eleven days off and have trained really well.”

Aycliffe, who have lost just once away this season in the league will have a full squad to choose from.

West Auckland have a tough away game at Consett, who have won all of their home league games this season.

Midfielders Anthony Bell and Tom Portas are both out still because of injury, as West hope to bounce back from their home defeat by Hebburn last week.

Manager Gary Forrest said: “Consett have started the season very well, but we’re confident of getting something out of the game.”

Bishop Auckland, whose midweek game at Penrith was abandoned because of floodlight failure when they were 2-0 up, are at home to Sunderland RCA.

The abandonment means that defender Callum Munro will still be suspended, while striker Shaun Ryder and defender Niall McGoldrick are both unavailable.

Bishops are currently fifth, with RCA two places and a point above them.

In the second division, joint leaders Chester-le-Street go to Crook Town, looking for their sixth away win of the season.

Their midweek cup tie against Billingham Synthonia has taken its toll, with Chris Stephenson, Dan Candlish and Callum Greaves all requiring fitness tests.

Manager Colin Wake said: “We go there full of confidence that if we keep to the gameplan then we will get a result, but having watched Crook in midweek, we know that we have a game on our hands as they are very mobile and attack-minded.”

Crook will be missing defender Richie Gaston, who was sent off last week at Northallerton, and several other players for various reasons.

Manager Jamie Tunstall said: “We’re entering a really tough run of games at the moment, none tougher than this one. We’re down to the bare bones with double figures unavailable but I know that we can trust the eleven we put out. If they pit in a performance similar to the one in midweek at Willington, then Chester-le-Street will have to play really well to get something from the game.”

Northallerton, who are in seventh, are hoping to bounce back from their 7-4 midweek defeat at Bedlington when they go to Heaton Stannington.

Neil Pattinson, Stephen Cheeseman, Richie Walker and Karl Hewitt will all have fitness tests, while Dale Elgie is out because of suspension. Keeper Tom Dawson will have a fitness test, so Lewis McDonald stands by.

Heaton have won their last four league games to go ninth in the table.

Willington, who are in 11th, are at home to Bedlington, and they will be missing striker Matty Moffat and defender Graham Lazonby, while Jason White will have a fitness test. Craig Ruddy and Jack Bromley both return to the squad.

Tow Law, who are fifth bottom, have a tough home game against unbeaten Billingham Town, and they include two recent signings, Nathan Convery from Consett and Ricky Fenwick from Bishop Auckland, in their squad, but Mattie Fisher is out because of suspension.

Durham City, who are second bottom, are at Billingham Synthonia, and they are boosted by the return of seven players to the squad, but they will be without defender Andrew brown for a month because of a shoulder injury.

City were hammered 8-4 at home by Billingham Town last week, and manager Wayne Gredziak said; “They are a good footballing side who have had a mixed bag of results recently and will be another tough game. We scored four last Saturday, so I’m hoping that our goalscoring form will continue.”

Synners, after a run of six games unbeaten, are in midtable.

Esh Winning, who are fourth bottom, are at Easington, and manager Tony Boakes expects to choose from a full squad. Esh have lost only twice in eight away league games this season.

Brandon United are still looking for their first league win of the season, and they’re at home to Redcar Athletic, and they will be without Chris Spence who is unavailable.

Dunston UTS are the last remaining Northern League side in the FA Cup, and they have an attractive home tie against former Football League Club Chester at the UTS Stadium. Blyth Spartans, meanwhile, are at Gainsborough.

In the EvoStik League, South Shields are at home to Grantham, and Whitby are at home to Bamber Bridge.

In the Eastern Division, Morpeth are at home to Lincoln United.