Northern League Division Two
Easington Colliery jointmanager Craig Hughes believes his side need to regain their early-season form.
The Colliers made a blistering start to the season by winning the first five games of the campaign.
They have stuttered over the last two weeks after a defeat against Billingham Synthonia and a 1-1 draw at Tow Law Town.
Washington visit Welfare Park tomorrow and Hughes wants to see his side bounce back from their dip in form with a win over the improving Mechanics.
He said: “Although we were happy with a point in the end, we’ll be looking for a response after last weekend’s game at Tow Law.
“Washington are a side who have picked up some decent results recently and we’ll need to play well to take the points.
“We need to get back to the form that we showed in the first few games of the season.”
The Colliers will be without injured duo James Talbot and Brennan Ball but Kyle Middleton could be handed a start after returning from injury.
Washington, meanwhile, have made a number of players available for transfer after the departure of manager Olly Hotchkiss.
Durham City travel to Birtley Town tomorrow looking to secure their first win and goal since the opening day of the season.
The Citizens have gone seven games without scoring and sit fourth from bottom of the table after Tuesday night’s home defeat against Esh Winning.
Manager Mikey Weston insisted his side deserved more from the game against Esh but backed them to turn it around against Birtley.
“We were gutted about the final result on Tuesday night against Esh Winning,” admitted Weston.
“The performance was a lot better. I don’t know how we didn’t get anything from the game.
“We look forward to the Birtley game and I hope we can turn it around.”
Weston will have to do without Steven Telford after he dislocated his shoulder in the midweek defeat and they will take a late check on the fitness of David Harrison ahead of the game.
Chester-le-Street Town face a tough test of their early-season form when they travel to Druid Park to face West Allotment Celtic.
There is Friday night football at Bedford Terrace as Billingham Town look to continue their impressive start to the campaign.
Sixth-placed Northallerton Town are the visitors as Barry Oliver and Paul Edwards’ side head into the game knowing a win would send them three points clear at the top of the table for at least 24 hours.
Town confirmed the appointment of Pat Robinson as their new first team head coach this week.
Neighbours Billingham Synthonia entertain Tow Law Town on Saturday and manager Jamie Pollock will have striker Louis Johnson back in his squad. However, Ross Harrison remains a doubt with an ankle injury.