Problems mounting for Mainsforth (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Problems mounting for Mainsforth

8:00am Saturday 7th July 2012 in Sport By Chris West

Mainsforth's hopes of escaping from the bottom rung of the table may have to wait a while longer with this weekend's double dose of league fixtures not offering any great solace and a selection dilemma looming.

The club face a home game against second-placed Crook and then follow up with a trip to Brandon, and they take on these challenges with a depleted squad.

The situation caused secretary John Irvine to reflect: "All I can say is we won't be unchanged, but I don't know how many we won't be unchanged by.''

The double header couldn't have come at a worse time, with several counter attractions dragging players from the game, not least the ODI at the Emirates icg.

Mainsforth's mass of absences will be managed as best they can, and at least they won't have to face Steve Chapman when they take on Crook. He is now in London looking after an Australian under-15 touring party. Trevor Johnson takes his place.

Brandon open their programme with a trip to Ushaw Moor and have an unchanged team, but tomorrow sees the return of Stephen Ball following completion of his suspension.

Langley Park's concerns also revolve around player availability - they are missing opening bowlers Jamie Winn and David Jones, and also out is first change bowler Jack Brennan.

Given their greatly depleted attack they could have hoped for a kinder fixture list, but with a home game against Evenwood to be followed by a trip to Esh Winning they will have their work cut out to contain those two side's batting line-ups.

Evenwood only have to cope with one change, Michael Crane brought in to replace Lewis Leng for both the Park game and the home match against Tudhoe tomorrow.

Tudhoe have a relatively settled team, an unchanged side turning out against Shildon today, and skipper Ross Hodgson the only absentee tomorrow - Simon Davies will captain with Adrian Cairns promoted.

Rob Nevison is on holiday so Phil Garbutt takes over the captaincy duties for the Railway's two matches, James Stock deputises for Stephen Bradwell in the Willington team facing Esh Winning this afternoon, and table-toppers Esh are at full-strength for both their matches as they look to increase their already useful advantage at the head of the table.