Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League

TWO crucial games this weekend highlight both the top and bottom ends of the league, writes Steve Clarke.

Third-placed Great Ayton visit leaders Richmondshire and have Henry Shelton playing in place of Mark Lewis. They will be hampered by the loss of Walid Ghauri, who now has the plaster off his broken leg, but will not play again this season. Richmondshire are unchanged for the first time in a number of games and are just eight points ahead of Marske, who have a game in hand.

Fourth-bottom Seaton Carew entertain Stokesley, who are one place below them, just above the relegation trapdoor, but 11 points ahead of Billingham Synthonia, who don’t play. Stokesley will be without Doug Mulholland and James Weighell as they are both still injured, but James Beaumont returns after the birth of his child last week.

Skipper Andy Weighell remains in a positive frame of mind going into the game. He said: “It’s a big game for us, but we are confident in ourselves and remain upbeat. We have some injuries to key players, but if we begin to string a few wins together, we will quickly climb up the table."

Second-placed Marske are at home to improving Darlington, who are fifth, and will be looking to get back on track after a disappointing result at Billingham Synthonia last week. Darlington are only 31 points behind the leaders, so still have an outside chance of the title, but they will have to string some results together soon. They are without Toby Lush, who is on holiday, and Daniel Morgans returns to the seconds. Alan Lethbridge and Sam Hardy return to replace them at Windy Lane. For Marske, Tom Urwin faces a late fitness test and John Mains will come in if he fails it. Richard Mains replaces Josh Carroll, who is unavailable.

Fourth-placed Barnard Castle, who travel to sixth-placed Norton, have Jack Robinson missing and either Richard Watson or Graham Hutchinson will take his place. Norton have only lost two of their last seven league games and will be hard to beat on their current form.

In-form Guisborough are likely to be unchanged when they entertain Middlesbrough, with both teams level on 154 points. Priorymen professional Shanuka Dissanayake is in scintillating form, with 301 runs and 20 wickets to his name after a delayed start to the season. Middlesbrough are also likely to be unchanged after their draw with Norton last week.

Hartlepool give youth a chance at Park Drive as they welcome struggling Normanby Hall. Pools have two junior players making their first team debuts in 16-year-old Brad Frank, a left-arm spinner, and 15-year-old Aaron Feroz, a right-arm off spinner. They replace skipper Chris Harrison and Dale Metcalfe, who are at weddings.

Michael Gough senior, the club’s junior contact, is very proud of Brad and Aaron and insists they have been selected on merit. He said: “Both of these lads have come through from our under-nines and through the relevant third and second teams, and will now be playing in the first team. I am delighted for them both as they have performed regularly and consistently through all the teams they have played in; it’s a great achievement for them and the club."

Normanby have three missing in Chris Trillo (work), Jordon Leech and Chris Witherley (both on holiday). Ryan Gibson is likely to be available from his Yorkshire duties, but this is not yet confirmed.