Wake out to rock Roofing

Roofing, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, are expected to again challenge all the way.

Manager Richie McLoughlin misses suspended captain Dan Kirkup, but Stuart Nicholson and Liam McBryde come into his plans.

Paul Bennett, who joined McLoughlin in a joint managerial role during the summer, has left the club.

Seaham Red Star are fifth going into their fixture at Darlington RA, where manager Mark Collingwood will have a near full- strength side available.

Carl Thorp returns for Star, but top scorer Adam Johnston is given only a 50- 50 chance of passing a fitness test.

Collingwood said: “Brinkburn Road is a hard place to get a result. They’ve already beaten us in a cup tie and my aim is to go down there and turn them over.”

Birtley Town, whose game at second- top Heaton Stannington kicks off at 10.30am as part of the league’s groundhoppers weekend, are much stronger with the inclusion of Rhys Noble, Jordan Lee and Brad Staunch.

Manager Paul Bryson said: “All our players are under- 19 and this is the ethos I want. It’s all about development. It will be a difficult game at Heaton, but a good test and a yardstick as to how far we have come this season.”

Heaton Stannington have taken promotion from the Northern Alliance in their stride and are level on points with leaders Northallerton.

The Tynesiders welcome the inclusion of captain Joe Weir and Adam Donaghie, signed from Newcastle Benfield.

South Shields, who moved up to eighth- bottom in midweek, host Tow Law Town at Peterlee, with Jordan Fraser, Chris Feasey and Colin White included in manager Jon King’s plans.

Third- bottom Washington host Brandon United at Nissan, while Esh Winning entertain promotion- chasing Norton, who have Rocky Andrews, Adam Livingston and Jack Proctor back.

Third- top North Shields face a test at fourth- placed West Allotment Celtic ( 1.15pm). Home boss Paul Stoneman could field Spaniards Bernat Roca and Bartomev Oliver- Berga, who are studying on Tyneside.