Tonight, the Villagers make the short trip to Jack Clark Park for an Armbrister cup tie with neighbours Marsden.

Whitburn can expect a hard game from Chris Mann's side, who picked up a creditable draw at Philadelphia last weekend.

Key players Neil Johnson and John Dunn, who had a brief spell at Marsden, are unavailable for the game, but skipper David Bell hopes to include Eden Elstob, who has missed out so far this season with a hamstring injury.

Andrew Turns also comes into the side. The all-rounder missed most of last season, but is expected to feature more often this year.

Tomorrow, the Universal Sealants-sponsored side travel to South Hetton in the Warmseal Durham Senior League.

Johnson returns to the side for this game. His new ball partnership with Tony Greaves has played a major part in the side's early success this season.

Last weekend against Boldon, the pair broke the back of the Sunderland Road outfit's batting, picking up three wickets each from their unbroken 15 over spells.

Another player to make a good start to the season is wicketkeeper Ross Carty. The left-handed batsman has established himself in the side with his glove work over the last few seasons, but showed his ability with the bat last weekend when he and Paul Cook carried the Villagers to victory.

Carty has been promoted in the batting order this season and will be hoping to repeat the form that brought him 662 runs at an average of over 50, to help the second string to the championship in 2005.

Whitburn were unbeaten in the league last season, but that record was severely tested at South Hetton.

After dismissing the home side for 147, the Villagers were staring defeat in the face when they were reduced to 60-8 on a rain-affected wicket.

However, some stubborn defence from Paul Marshall and debutant Craig Henderson held the Hetton attack at bay before the game was eventually abandoned due to fog.

The Hetton side, who are now skippered by Sean Bradbury, and include former Burnmoor batsman Neil Young, go into tomorrow's game on the back of a comprehensive victory at Seaham Harbour last weekend.

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