Ambitious Athletic target top spot; WEARSIDE LEAGUE.

Byline: By ANTHONY VICKERS

PROMOTION-CHASING Teesside Athletic go to lowly Silksworth aiming to close in on the top.

Unbeaten Athletic are gradually inching back into contention after a frustrating spell of postponements and cup diversions that saw them drift down the table.

But two wins in a row have clawed the Redcar-based team back to six points from the top and, after table-toppers Newton Aycliffe lost 1-0 at Easington in midweek, they now have three games in hand.

They have Steve Hodgson back from an ankle knock and Andrew Porritt will return to the squad after a long spell out injured.

Reigning champions New Marske take on Jarrow also looking to put the squeeze on Aycliffe.

Second-placed New Marske are also six points off the pace with three in hand and, with seven wins out of eight behind them, have built up a head of steam.

Wolviston go to Ryhope aiming to make up for lost time. A string of wash-outs have left them with more games to play than any other team in the league. They won 4-2 at Ashbrook BH last week to nudge back towards the mid-table pack.

Guisborough Town BH go to Annfield Plain looking to end a run of five defeats on the bounce that have seen them slip to third bottom.