North And South Leaders Can Edge Nearer Finishing Line

By Sam Elliott

After missed opportunities for the chasing pack on Tuesday night, the National League North and South leaders can take a giant stride towards the titles this weekend.

Scunthorpe United couldn’t make the most of a rare Tamworth defeat in midweek. The Iron were losing at South Shields as the Lambs were edged out by Chorley.

Scunny blew the chance to reduce the gap which remains at 12 points and they’re both back on home turf this weekend. The leaders welcome Curzon Ashton while Jimmy Dean’s chasers host Alfreton surely knowing they can’t afford to not win with just one victory in six.

That’s left some wondering if Chorley are the team more likely to reel in Tamworth. It’s four wins in a row now and they head to Bishop’s Stortford, who are as good as down with just five wins to their name all season.

Chester aren’t too far away, they are at home to Spennymoor Town while Boston United have been tipped to make a challenge. The Pilgrims are in the North East as they look to bring the points back from Blyth Spartans.

There’s a big play-off battle looming with Warrington making the long trip to Brackley and after King’s Lynn Town stunned the Saints in midweek, the strugglers wonder if this is the weekend where they climb out of the bottom four.

They will escape if they beat Farsley Celtic at The Walks and Rushall Olympic fail to win at Peterborough Sports.

After Worthing were given a hammering themselves on Tuesday following a series of brutal displays, Yeovil Town took complete control of the National League South.

Mark Cooper’s Glovers could move 16 points clear if they manage to win the big game at Chelmsford City, who sit third having won their last three matches. Can Charlie Ruff continue his great run of form?

The second-place Rebels are at home to Braintree Town, who are sitting in seventh and have their own promotion agenda.

Taunton Town need to get a game and need some goals. They haven’t scored in their last three and go to Dartford having played fewer matches than those around them either side of the drop zone.

Bath City manager Jerry Gill has now taken charge of 300 Romans games - he wants another win at Havant & Waterlooville to mark number 301 which will keep the club in the top seven.

St Albans City are looking to go one stage further after play-off agony last May and they’ll boost their prospects if they win at home to Welling United, who showed their stomach for a fight under Rod Stringer by thrashing Worthing 4-1 in midweek.

Elsewhere, troubled Torquay’s quest for a season-transforming win sees them welcome Aveley, Slough Town and Tonbridge meet with them both still within sight of the promotion places and Eastbourne head to Hemel Hempstead with their survival chances boosted.

Click here for all the weekend fixtures.

Where next?

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