Saturday Preview: Vanarama National League South

In a week like no other at Wealdstone, they have a new man in charge for the first time in nearly 23 years.

Bobby Wilkinson is the man charged with carry on Bartlett’s great work and it will be a challenging start for the new boss as Wealdstone go to Eastbourne Borough.

Wilkinson said: “We’ve throwing ourselves in at the deep end but we weren’t about to sit back and make a watching brief like you sometimes see.”

St Albans City are looking to hold on to top spot and they’ll do that by securing a point against Concord Rangers at Clarance Park.

But Ian Allinson and the Saints are aiming for all three against the Essex side, who have taken 7 points so far this season but aren’t as strong away from home.

Should they fall, Rod Stringer and his Chelmsford City second placers want to be ready to pounce!

A home game with Truro City gives the Clarets a chance to put the pressure on and the manager hopes to be strong at Melbourne again this season.

Havant and Waterlooville are sitting in 8th place and they visit a Hampton side who have fallen short of expectation so far.

Bath City are improving and manager Gary Owers wants his team to complete a hat-trick of victories on Saturday afternoon.

But Poole Town, as always, are no fools. They travel to Twerton Park hoping to build on a return of 7 points so far. Manager Tom Killick’s team secured a top five place last season.

East Thurrock United have made a strong start but they are coming up against unbeaten Bognor Regis Town, who have scored 15 goals already.

Dartford scored 7 themselves last weekend and Tony Burman’s team take a tricky trip to Hemel Hempstead Town, who are strong at Vauxhall Road.

The team the Darts thrashed last week badly need a reaction after “having their shorts pulled down” at Princes Park.

Oxford City manager Mike Ford has added to his squad and is in desperate need of a result following on from that – Oxford host Welling United, who secured their first win last weekend.

Whitehawk have yet to find their form and Jimmy Dack hopes Saturday sees a change of fortune but with Braintree Town playing well, they have a tough task ahead of them at the Enclosed Ground.

Weston-Super-Mare play Chippenham looking to pull themselves out of the bottom three places while Hungerford of course also begin a new era without their manager Bobby Wilkinson.

The Crusaders will want a positive start by beating Gloucester City.

National League South fixtures:
Bath City v Poole Town
Chelmsford City v Truro City
East Thurrock v Bognor Regis
Eastbourne Borough v Wealdstone
Hampton & R v Havant & Waterlooville
Hemel Hempstead v Dartford
Hungerford Town v Gloucester City
Oxford City v Welling United
St Albans City v Concord Rangers
Weston-s-Mare v Chippenham Town
Whitehawk v Braintree Town