Could We Have Two New League Leaders This Evening?

By Sam Elliott

There’s a lot of football to hold the attention this evening with six games across the divisions - and two leagues could have new leaders come 10pm.

Having lost Guiseley v Gateshead to the elements this morning, there are three Vanarama National League games to hold the attention.

There’s a big Kent derby in prospect - and there won’t be a pitch inspection needed at the Gallagher Stadium!

Maidstone United host Ebbsfleet United and of course the two club have a lot of history, including the 2016 National League South play-off final, which the Stones won on penalties.

Neither are in sparkling form and both need a kick-start the three points from a derby success would bring.

The Stones are nine games now without a win and Fleet have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Chester’s win at Stonebridge Road gave their survival hopes the kiss of life on Saturday - but Marcus Bignot knows it’ll mean little if they leave AFC Fylde beaten tonight.

But bad news. Fylde have run into their best paggage of form since winning the National League North. Three games, three wins. Not only did they thrash Tranmere Rovers, but they’ve recorded great away wins at Maidenhead United and Bromley.

Jack Muldoon, pictured above, scored in each of those games and is finding his feet. Another Fylde win and they’ll considering the play-offs very much within reach.

The final National League game comes from east London, where Boreham Wood take on the M25 - and of course Dagenham & Redbridge.

Wood’s last away league defeat came on September 16, they’re a tough nut to crack on their travels. If they can keep their unbeaten run going, they’ll edge Tranmere Rovers out of the play-off place tonight.

Dagenham are already in there and looked back to their attacking best on Saturday when they cruised past Hartlepool 4-2.

But John Still’s side know they have the beating of them. Corey Whiteley’s incredible free-kick at Meadow Park sealed an early season win for the Daggers, but who will come out on top tonight?

In the National League North there are two matches - and we could have new leaders for the first time in a few months.

Should Harrogate Town win at Nuneaton then first place belongs to them again. It would chart an impressive recovery having fallen eight points behind Salford City.

But Nuneaton won’t just roll over. Dino Maamria’s team are in the middle of a relegation battle and the manager said they’ll fight for every ball tonight.

Two clubs desperate to get into the play-offs and finish as high up as possible are Chorley and Kidderminster.

They meet tonight and Chorley want to get home results back on track - and Harriers need to start winning away from Aggborough again. They’ve not done so since October, when they won at Stockport County.

There could also be new leaders in the National League South this evening.

Havant & Waterlooville will go joint top if they beat Oxford City - but if they win by four clear goals they’ll overtake Dartford.

But Oxford are improving away from home while Havant, in front of their own fans, aren’t anywhere as good as on their travels.

Where next?

The Football Association Announces New Plans For 2018 The Football Association [the FA] has today announced a series of new initiatives and investments which will have a significant impact, both on the organisation itself, and for all of English football.
Fleet Boss McMahon Bags His Long-Time Target Ebbsfleet United have signed Lawrie Wilson from SkyBet League Two side Port Vale.