yellow
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,822
- Reaction score
- 486
- Points
- 83
- Supports
- Torquay
I actually spent a bit of time looking at the fixtures for this weekend, and there's quite a few interesting games lined up for this weekend...
Wrexham vs Tranmere (12:15 KO)
Wrexham go into this local affair in 10th place, while Rovers sit in 2nd and in perfect position to capitalise on any drop in form from Lincoln. It's a run of no win in four for Wrexham, and without a clean sheet in 5 home matches, while Tranmere are in a run of 6 wins in their last eight games. Form points towards an away win, but I envisage a close affair.
Boreham Wood vs Macclesfield
12th host 9th in this one, and being honest this is one the few games where there doesn't appear to be much to get excited about. Boreham Wood have conceded just once in their last 6 matches, while Macc have been quite inconsistent, but come into this on the back of two home defeats.
Dagenham vs Eastleigh
With no draw in the last fourteen matches for the Daggers, I wonder whether this is the game that streak ends. Eastleigh come into it with a similar run of either winning or losing, with two draws in their last eight. The hosts would want a win to ease any fears of dropping out of the top five.
Dover vs Gateshead
This game is pretty big in the race for the playoffs. Dover are currently down in 8th with Gateshead a point ahead in 7th. Gateshead are 10 unbeaten while Dover have lost 3 of their last six. At home, however, they are stronger, averaging just under 2 points a game at the Crabble. A defeat wouldn't be the end for either team, but it may well be a damaging psychological blow as we approach the final straight.
Forest Green vs North Ferriby
This must be a home win if FGR wish to stay in the title race. Ferriby are in severe danger of being completely cut off from the survival race, and I feel this weekend may see that unofficially happen.
Lincoln vs Bromley
The Imps were pegged back late against Sutton last night and will want to return to winning ways this weekend. With FGR having what looks a straight forward game, and Tranmere having a trickier assignment, this could be an opportunity to reopen the gap at the top of the division. Bromley have one win in eight, scoring just five goals in the same timeframe.
Maidstone vs Barrow
Maidstone are in some of their best form of the season, unbeaten in seven, and go into this one on the back of a great comeback win at Woking last weekend. Barrow, meanwhile, are four unbeaten and are looking to make it three consecutive away wins, after successes at Solihull and Chester. A win may catapult them back into the playoff positions, while Maidstone are still looking over their shoulders, so this will have interest at both ends of the table.
Solihull vs Aldershot
With three consecutive losses, Solihull are not yet safe from the bottom four. Their home form has been a bit of an issue, with only four teams picking up less points on their own turf. Aldershot are in some excellent form which has seen them gatecrash the playoff party. With 3 straight wins, the Shots will be looking at this as a good opportunity to make it four and consolidate their position in the top five.
Southport vs Guiseley
Another big game at the bottom. Southport must win to close the gap and reduce the risk of an early relegation, while Guiseley (despite excellent form) are still looking behind at the chasing pack. Guiseley are undefeated in four away games but have been very reliant on their home form, with 70% of points coming at home. Southport have just one win in eight, so are not in great form going into this one.
Torquay vs Chester
With 4 points from two away games, this has suddenly become a bit of a 6-pointer for both involved. Chester are in poor form with just 6 points from 24 in their last eight matches. Torquay have just one defeat in five, and, despite off-field issues, Kevin Nicholson is doing a hell of a job with minimal resources. We've not won at Plainmoor since January but will be desperate to stop that this weekend.
Woking vs Sutton
Another six-pointer, really. Woking slipped back into the bottom four after last night's results, and will see this as a must win encounter. Sutton have the worst away form in the division with just two wins. A home win would see Sutton sat six (at a maximum) clear of the bottom four, while a victory would see it become 11, so they'll be hoping a win will completely kill off any fears.
York vs Braintree
York are putting together a great run of form, and appear to be doing what we did last season - coming from the dead to survive. This is dangerous for all teams in the vicinity above them, which includes Braintree. With just six points between the two sides, a home win would really begin to pile the pressure on the Essex part-timers. An away win would stop the York revolution from gathering more speed.
Wrexham go into this local affair in 10th place, while Rovers sit in 2nd and in perfect position to capitalise on any drop in form from Lincoln. It's a run of no win in four for Wrexham, and without a clean sheet in 5 home matches, while Tranmere are in a run of 6 wins in their last eight games. Form points towards an away win, but I envisage a close affair.
Boreham Wood vs Macclesfield
12th host 9th in this one, and being honest this is one the few games where there doesn't appear to be much to get excited about. Boreham Wood have conceded just once in their last 6 matches, while Macc have been quite inconsistent, but come into this on the back of two home defeats.
Dagenham vs Eastleigh
With no draw in the last fourteen matches for the Daggers, I wonder whether this is the game that streak ends. Eastleigh come into it with a similar run of either winning or losing, with two draws in their last eight. The hosts would want a win to ease any fears of dropping out of the top five.
Dover vs Gateshead
This game is pretty big in the race for the playoffs. Dover are currently down in 8th with Gateshead a point ahead in 7th. Gateshead are 10 unbeaten while Dover have lost 3 of their last six. At home, however, they are stronger, averaging just under 2 points a game at the Crabble. A defeat wouldn't be the end for either team, but it may well be a damaging psychological blow as we approach the final straight.
Forest Green vs North Ferriby
This must be a home win if FGR wish to stay in the title race. Ferriby are in severe danger of being completely cut off from the survival race, and I feel this weekend may see that unofficially happen.
Lincoln vs Bromley
The Imps were pegged back late against Sutton last night and will want to return to winning ways this weekend. With FGR having what looks a straight forward game, and Tranmere having a trickier assignment, this could be an opportunity to reopen the gap at the top of the division. Bromley have one win in eight, scoring just five goals in the same timeframe.
Maidstone vs Barrow
Maidstone are in some of their best form of the season, unbeaten in seven, and go into this one on the back of a great comeback win at Woking last weekend. Barrow, meanwhile, are four unbeaten and are looking to make it three consecutive away wins, after successes at Solihull and Chester. A win may catapult them back into the playoff positions, while Maidstone are still looking over their shoulders, so this will have interest at both ends of the table.
Solihull vs Aldershot
With three consecutive losses, Solihull are not yet safe from the bottom four. Their home form has been a bit of an issue, with only four teams picking up less points on their own turf. Aldershot are in some excellent form which has seen them gatecrash the playoff party. With 3 straight wins, the Shots will be looking at this as a good opportunity to make it four and consolidate their position in the top five.
Southport vs Guiseley
Another big game at the bottom. Southport must win to close the gap and reduce the risk of an early relegation, while Guiseley (despite excellent form) are still looking behind at the chasing pack. Guiseley are undefeated in four away games but have been very reliant on their home form, with 70% of points coming at home. Southport have just one win in eight, so are not in great form going into this one.
Torquay vs Chester
With 4 points from two away games, this has suddenly become a bit of a 6-pointer for both involved. Chester are in poor form with just 6 points from 24 in their last eight matches. Torquay have just one defeat in five, and, despite off-field issues, Kevin Nicholson is doing a hell of a job with minimal resources. We've not won at Plainmoor since January but will be desperate to stop that this weekend.
Woking vs Sutton
Another six-pointer, really. Woking slipped back into the bottom four after last night's results, and will see this as a must win encounter. Sutton have the worst away form in the division with just two wins. A home win would see Sutton sat six (at a maximum) clear of the bottom four, while a victory would see it become 11, so they'll be hoping a win will completely kill off any fears.
York vs Braintree
York are putting together a great run of form, and appear to be doing what we did last season - coming from the dead to survive. This is dangerous for all teams in the vicinity above them, which includes Braintree. With just six points between the two sides, a home win would really begin to pile the pressure on the Essex part-timers. An away win would stop the York revolution from gathering more speed.