Saturday sees 11 Skrill Conference Premier games, as key battles are to be fought affecting all aspects of the league table.
The battle for the play-offs is hitting the home straight, and at this point, it really is anyone’s guess as to who will be contesting for a place in the football league come April. Two teams that will be in with a shout though pair off as Salisbury host Gateshead. City have bounced back recently after indifferent form; at least until Tuesday’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Forest Green. Despite this, The Whites sit just three points off the play-off places, and could enter them with a win at the weekend. Gateshead meanwhile have continued steadily, and sit a point better off than their opponents, just two from Barnet, who they beat last weekend. A win for either of these two may prove detrimental to their aMBitions, while the loser could be booted out of the race.
Elsewhere, Grimsby host Wrexham, with the Mariners looking to take the advantage in the hunt for the top five. Town have four games in hand on the competition, and should feel confident of coasting past the lowly Red Dragons, whose form continues to be very poor. Assistant manager Billy Barr is still in temporary charge, and has been backed by former boss Andy Morrell to take the reins full time, but his side are in the midst of a lost season, and their 3-0 defeat by Braintree last time out was a fine indication of how low morale has gotten around the Racecourse Ground.
There’s another big play-off bout at Aggborough, as Kidderminster Harriers host Barnet. The Harriers parted ways with their second manager of the season last week as Andy Thorn left the club, but despite this, still sit just a mere three points from their visitors Barnet in the league. A 2-1 victory over Macclesfield ended the week on a high, and given the quality of the team, ‘Kiddi’ cannot be discounted. Barnet meanwhile have thrived since Edgar David’s departure, and have crept into a play-off berth rather anonymously. Last weekend’s home defeat by Gateshead was a big blow for the Bees, but they still have the points on the board, which at this stage puts them in pole position.
Other games of note include relegated Hyde’s trip to Hereford, Cambridge United warming up for their FA Trophy final with a home game against Dartford, while Aldershot play Nuneaton, with both sides eager for points for very different reasons.
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