George Sanders looks at the weekend’s National League fixtures with the headlining game of high-flying Harrogate Town hosting promotion rivals Leyton Orient.
Aldershot Town vs Dover Athletic
A game that could already be perceived to be what’s known as a ‘relegation six pointer’ will take place as 19th placed Aldershot Town host rock-bottom side Dover Athletic. The hosts come in to the game following a 3-0 defeat at AFC Fylde while the visitors are without a win in seven games and have only won one game this season. In a most likely nervy affair, a player to watch would be Aldershot’s Scott Rendell. The 31 year-old striker has scored four times already this season.
Barnet vs AFC Fylde
The home side Barnet had won five consecutive games before a recent 3-1 defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient which meant they slipped down to 12th in the table. AFC Fylde, who occupy 5th place also come in to the game with positive overall form. Striker Danny Rowe will be a clear threat to the Barnet defence as the player who scored 24 goals last season has already got seven to his name so far this campaign.
Barrow vs Maidenhead United
Two mid-table sides in the form of 15th placed Barrow and 13th placed Maidenhead United should provide an entertaining contest at Holker Street. Barrow have lost two of their home games and have also won three there this season, so a draw seems quite unlikely.
Braintree Town vs Maidstone United
This is another game that may prove to be crucial in either teams’ chances of staying up. The hosts may be lower down in the table by just a point, but they will most likely be the more confident side after they secured a 1-0 victory against Gateshead in their last match. The away side will be wanting to stop the rot after losing their last six consecutive fixtures. This poor form also comes despite The Stones having one of the current highest scorers in the league in their ranks, Blair Turgott.
Chesterfield vs Gateshead
Life in the National League has so far proved tough for The Spireites, and they will be hosting a Gateshead side who are having an inconsistent period of form after winning two, and losing three of their last five games. Home advantage may also not aid the Derbyshire side after only winning twice at the PROACT. The Spireites have kept four clean sheets so far this season.
Eastleigh vs Dagenham & Redbridge
This clash is the weekend’s featured match live on BT Sport. The hosts occupy 17th place in the table while The Daggers sit in the space above the relegation zone. Paul McCallum is the main threat on goal that the Dagenham defence will have to deal with.
Ebbsfleet United vs Havant & Waterlooville
The home side who are 14th in the standings will be the favourites against a Havant side who occupy 21st place in the league table. Havant have just won one game away from home this season, losing the other four matches. However, what may slightly encourage the away side is that Nicke Kabamba has been in solid form so far this season, scoring five goals.
FC Halifax Town vs Hartlepool United
The Shaymen enter this game as possible, slight favourites after a solid start to the season and an unbeaten record at home with 4 victories and one draw. The visitors are sixth place in the league and their top scorer is Liam Noble, who has scored five goals so far.
Harrogate Town vs Leyton Orient
Just two points separate first placed Harrogate Town and third placed Leyton Orient, and this game should prove to be full of excitement. This one is very hard to call with both teams having four wins and a draw in their previous five fixtures going in to the game. Home advantage could prove potent for the Yorkshire side as they are unbeaten there so far this season.
Salford City vs Boreham Wood
This is another top end of the table clash that wets the appetite as fourth places Salford host 7th placed Boreham Wood who moved up in to the last play-off place after a shock 4-0 win over Sutton on Tuesday.
Solihull Moors vs Bromley
The hosts, who are ninth in the table will be the favourites in this game against an out of sorts Bromley side who sit in 18th in the league standings. Bromley’s top scorer is Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, while The Moors’ leading scorer is Adi Yussuf. Both have got four goals to their name.
Sutton United vs Wrexham
Eighth placed Sutton will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways with the unenviable task of facing second placed Wrexham. The away side have won three and have lost and drawn once in their last five games.
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