Still So Much To Play For As Leaders Look To Seal The Deal

If Chesterfield win at second place Bromley on Saturday, even the most glass-half-full type of fans will accept the title going to only one place, if they’ve not yet completely thrown in the towel already that is.

Andy Woodman did that at the end of 2023, saying before Christmas that it’s a matter of when not if the Spireites are crowned champions. They will move a staggering 26 points clear if they return home from south east London with win number 27 - and it could be a matter of weeks before the job is done.

Barnet gave up trying to reel in the table toppers long ago, and even keeping them within view has been a task in itself. They’re at AFC Fylde and the message from Dean Brennan is simple - it’s all about a top three finish now.

But in the Coasters, they take on the division’s form team. They’ve won six from seven and are looking to win for a fifth time on the spin. Head coach Chris Beech, 49, said after Tuesday’s 5-0 win at Aldershot: “This result has been coming.”

The Shots themselves need to put that right and the live game sees two play-off contenders fall under the experts’ microscope.

Tommy Widdrington’s team host an Altrincham side who have beaten Rochdale, Solihull Moors and Eastleigh in their last three without conceding a goal and manager Phil Parkinson says his team are improving every and every week.

Not too many teams will fancy playing Oldham Athletic if they finish in a promotion place. They head to Maidenhead United, while top seven rivals Gateshead are a few miles down the road at Wealdstone.

There’s two huge games down the bottom. Dorking Wanderers take their good away form to Kidderminster Harriers, who haven’t been able to escape the drop-zone despite four straight league wins under Phil Brown.

Southend United manager Kevin Maher called for togetherness after the club found themselves out of the bottom four only on goal difference. The Shrimpers fans have responded and more than 1,000 head to Oxford City on Saturday for a crucial game down the bottom.

Woking are just below them, they’re at back-in-form FC Halifax Town, while the Danny Searle era officially begins for Ebbsfleet with a crucial home game against Eastleigh, who now haven’t won in eight.

Hartlepool United supporters aren’t totally giving up on the play-offs, despite dropping late points last time out. They’re at home to Boreham Wood while York City still have a lot of work to do and need to pick up some more points, starting with a home game against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Rochdale can’t afford to allow the distance between themselves and the play-off teams grow and a victory against Solihull Moors could close the seven-point gap.

For all of Saturday’s fixtures, click here.

PHOTO BY IAN MORSMAN