Your Weekend Starts Here! So What's In Store On Saturday?

By Sam Elliott

The tension is building by the minute - buckle yourselves in because we’re heading into the home straight, and it may be bumpy!

There’s three weeks to go and for some a slip up could be a car crash.

It’s tough at the top. The strain must be showing on fans, with managers no doubt having sleepless nights. There’s no room for error now.

Leyton Orient went back to the top of Tuesday after avoiding a real scare.

Their two point lead is restored - but only just. Now they want to make a statement on a pitch where their nightmare began last season.

It was at Sutton United that they came unstuck on the opening day in August 2017. It was a sign of things to come but Orient know a win there would give them a huge lift ahead of a tough Bank Holiday weekend.

Of course by that point they could be off top spot - Salford City host Maidenhead live on BT Sport on Saturday lunchtime.

Solihull Moors have Orient over Easter. If they win against Havant it would consign the Hawks to the drop but also up the heat on their title rivals.

Wrexham feel four more wins gives the Dragons hope of pipping them all but they will be tested as they travel to Barnet.

AFC Fylde are six points off as well and if they can win at Braintree Town and others slip up, then you never know.

The race for the play-offs is equally tough to call.

In possession of the coveted seventh place are Eastleigh but they need to get back on track quickly.

There’s a big game in prospect - they can all-but end Gateshead’s hopes if they snatch three points at the Silverlake Stadium.

Ebbsfleet, just a point behind, have got themselves into a strong position but can’t afford a slip up at home to a Dagenham side with only pride left to play for this season.

Harrogate will feel two more wins will do it.

They will be looking for the first of them at home to Boreham Wood, whose safety could be assured by 5pm on Saturday.

It could be a day to quickly forget for Aldershot, and manager Gary Waddock fears the worst.

The Shots, at home to Hartlepool, have to win all of their last four games and hope for miracles elsewhere - but their boss knows things are bleak.

A win at Barrow would means it’s mission accomplished for Andy Hessenthaler at Dover. They could even afford to lose and still be safe if results elsewhere go their way.

Maidstone were relegated last Saturday but John Still would have been delighted by Tuesday’s win at home to Barnet.

Can the Stones raise hopes for next season by taking Chesterfield’s scalp?

Bromley and FC Halifax will be hoping for improvement next season. Both are erratic so it’s anyone’s game at the Shay.

Saturday’s National League fixtures:
Aldershot v Hartlepool
Barnet v Wrexham
Barrow v Dover Athletic
Braintree v AFC Fylde
Chesterfield v Maidstone U
Eastleigh v Gateshead
Ebbsfleet v Dagenham
FC Halifax v Bromley
Harrogate v Boreham Wood
Solihull Moors v Havant & W
Salford City v Maidstone (12.35pm BT Sport)
Sutton United v Leyton Orient

Where next?

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