Midway through February and the National League returns this weekend with a full set of twelve fixtures to look forward to. Here is a run through of the games taking place on Saturday.
Halifax make a return to the Shay where they will entertain opposition in the form of Ebbsfleet. Following the Shaymen’s impressive 1-1 draw away to Wrexham last week, the side will be brimming with confidence and looking to notch their first win on the board since the 4-0 defeat of Chester. Ebbsfleet on the other hand will be looking they can push on from their 1-0 win over Solihull last week and look to mount a late play off challenge.
The biggest game of the weekend comes in the form of a second vs first clash as Aldershot host Macclesfield in what does a must win game for both sides. The two teams have a game in hand each over third place Wrexham, so a win here would be worth its weight in gold. Whoever wins will see themselves top the table by at least two points so definitely a fixture to keep an eye on.
A big game at the top of the table sees Sutton and Wrexham face off in a must win game for both teams if they want to still be in for champions glory. Wrexham are unbeaten in their last eight, with Sutton undefeated in their last five, making this tie more enticing. The sides sit 4th and 3rd respectively and a win for either side could see them end the day at the top of table.
Another big game for the next two sides, but with respective reasons, as Fylde host Leyton Orient. Fylde have managed to move into the playoff positions following their win over Gateshead at the weekend and will be looking to cement their place in the top seven. Orient, however, secured a commendable draw against Tranmere which sees them secure in 17th and six points clear of relegation, but a win here would really push them clear of danger.
Another side hoping for a win to boost their playoff hopes is Boreham Wood, who climbed into 6th after their 2-0 win over Eastleigh. Two wins on the bounce now for the home side and will be looking to make it three as they welcome mid table Gateshead. The away side sit comfortably in 13th and will be looking for three points to both avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap but also to suggest a late push for the top seven.
Guiseley are desperate for a win in the National League as of late, having lost all their last six games in the league. Their next attempt to wrap up three points will be against 15th placed Maidenhead whose form has been inconsistent recently, with four defeats, three wins and a draw in their last eight games.
A clash that sees two sides battling for play off positions is the tie between Tranmere and Bromley. The former is currently sat in 4th, having missed the chance to top the table last weekend with their draw over Orient but are still in with a fighting chance at the title should they win here. Bromley are 8th and have only suffered two defeats in their last eight and sit just one point off the playoff positions with a win able to lift them as high as 6th.
A side that have suffered a poor turn of form is Dover. The southern side were top of the National League before Christmas, but a string of bad results now sees them down in 9th and way off the pace of the top sides in the league. A win, should results go against them, could see them move back into the play off positions and their opposition to do so is Solihull whose form has taken quite the opposite turn. Four wins from their last six has propelled them to 21st, when they were previously rock bottom of the table so if they can keep this up then they are in for a shout of staying up.
The other fixtures taking place this weekend is:
Hartlepool vs Woking
Maidstone vs Barrow
Chester vs Eastleigh
Torquay vs Dagenham and Redbridge
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