Ones To Watch: The Three Big National League Games This Weekend

By David Richardson

A whole load more Vanarama National League action is right around the corner and we've picked out three games you won't want to miss this Saturday.

Barrow vs Macclesfield Town
They may be onto their third manager of the season but in Ady Pennock, Barrow's problems might just be starting to fade away. They sit a point inside the relegation zone although on Pennock's first game in charge they recorded an impressive 3-1 home win over high-flying Aldershot Town. Abdillahie Yussuf's hat-trick gave the Bluebirds their first league victory in ten games - he'll be the man to look out for on Saturday.

Standing in Barrow's way are one of the surprises of the season in Macclesfield. Manager John Askey has done another fantastic job after having to largely rebuild his squad in the summer. They've been one of the early pace setters and now trail a point behind leaders Dover Athletic and Wrexham.

However, if the Silkmen want to show the rest of the National League that they are serious contenders, they'll need bounce back from two consecutive defeats, three in all competitions, against Barrow. Scott Wilson has been firing for them with a bit of help from assist king Elliot Durrell.
One to watch: Abdillahie Yussuf (Barrow)

Tranmere Rovers vs Dagenham
Two of the pre-season title favourites clash at Prenton Park with hosts Tranmere knowing a win could significantly close the gap on the top ten above them. Micky Mellon's side have been slow out of the blocks after losing in the play-off final last season but there have been signs of steady improvement in recent weeks.

They impressively drew 1-1 at Peterborough United in the FA Cup and have lost once in their last six National League fixtures. Rovers' big-name frontline is beginning to fire now too, they scored four in their last home game against FC Halifax Town - it was the first time since August 8th, that they'd bagged three or more. A Tranmere victory would move them just three points behind their opponents.

Visitors Dagenham have been riding high all season although have somewhat lacked the consistency manager John Still would have liked. That problem has been partly down to injury problems but they have received a big boost recently with the return of striker Michael Cheek. He rescued a point for the Daggers last time out against Maidenhead United and he'll certainly be one to keep an eye on in this fixture. Still's men have struggled on the road, winning only once, but they are hard to beat away from home, having lost just twice.
One to watch: Michael Cheek (Dagenham)

Ebbsfleet United vs Leyton Orient - LIVE on BT Sport 5.30pm kick-off
Daryl McMahon will hope his Ebbsfleet side can quickly move on from their crushing defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend. Fleet led the League One side 2-0 only to concede twice in first-half stoppage time and couldn't recover in the second half as Rovers ran out comfortable 6-2 winners.

Despite the gulf between the two sides, it was a surprisingly heavy defeat for Ebbsfleet, who have been so resilient this season - losing just three times. That record has lifted them to 13th, with ten draws hindering their progress. They've taken ten points from their last six National League fixtures and will hope to add to their tally. Striker Danny Kedwell has the know-how and ability to lift Fleet to greater things - he's one to look out for in this match-up.

How manager Steve Davis and Leyton Orient could do with a win this weekend. After a very promising opening month, it's been downhill since then and the O's, after dropping out of the Football League last season, now find themselves just three points above the relegation zone. They haven't won in the National League since September 2nd, ten games ago, and if they are to pick up three points on Saturday, they'll have to do it without eight-goal striker Macauley Bonne, who is away on international duty with Zimbabwe.
One to watch: Danny Kedwell (Ebbsfleet)

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