Peter Beadle

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Newport County will hope to rain on Fisher's play-off parade and steal a top-five finish at Spytty Park in the last round of fixtures in the Blue Square South.

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Bromley v Dorchester

Relegated Dorchester will hope to put an end to Bromley's narrow hope of sneaking a play-off berth when they travel to Hayes Lane.

Simon Osborn has ordered his charges to focus on finishing their season on a high with a win and hope other results go their way.

He told the Bromley Times: "It's a really slim chance but we are still in there fighting. I said I wanted to win the last three and we are nearly there.

"Dorchester are already relegated, but it is by no means going to be an easy game.

"There have been a few games recently where we could have picked up a few points - Newport and Hampton and Richmond in particular - and, if we had, we would have been right up there.

"But we have to take the positives from this season. It was our first attempt as a squad at this level and to be in with a chance of reaching the playoff heading into the last game is decent."

Meanwhile visiting boss Shaun Brooks has a few injury concerns going into the final clash of the season.

Strike pair Jones Awuah (Achilles) and Eric Manangu (knee) are out while full- back Jamie Cumming has returned to Australia.

Brooks told This Is Weymouth: "Jones has been carrying the problem for a few weeks but was willing to play while there was still a chance of survival so I don't know if he'll be okay for one more game.

"Eric is only in the early stages of his rehab so he won't be fit for Saturday. Patrece Liburd and Roy O'Brien are still struggling for fitness as is Alex Browne who hasn't got the bank of fitness he once had so we will have to assess him before the game.

"Jamie's contract was terminated because he's been away from home for two years and is feeling rather homesick.

"We're obviously disappointed with how the season has gone so we will just try to go out on a good note.

"Some of the younger lads like Darren Watts and Mitchell Nicholson will come in and we'll give it a go.

"It's been a long hard season but we need one more massive effort from the players."

Basingstoke v Maidenhead Utd

Basingstoke caretaker manager Steve Richardson will hope to secure his first win in his last game in charge when Maidenhead United visit the Camrose Ground.

And it would be a good tie to gain the three points as the last time the Dragons tasted victory in the league was against the visitors in January.

Richardson told This Is Basingstoke: "It would be nice to finish the season with a win and we showed great character against Weston to come back from 3-1 down to get a point from the game."

He added: " I think it will be an open game as Maidenhead are now safe. They will be looking to continue their good run, but we want to win, which will set us up nicely ahead of the cup final.

"It was would also be good to get a clean sheet which will give my back four some confidence."

However the Magpies will provide a tough test as they are unbeaten in the last four matches.

Both managers are expected to name an unchanged squad.

Bishops Sford v Bath City

Bath City will make the trip to Woodside Park looking to sneak into a play-off place against former contenders Bishops Stortford.

The hosts were in contention for a top-five finish throughout the season, but a recent four-game winless run has seen them fall off the pace.

Bishops manager Martin Hayes told the Harlow Herald: "People maybe expected us to be in play-offs after last year but we have had a good season.

"We got in the play-offs last year because a lot of big teams messed around, but this year a lot of sides have got their acts together.

"We have got to 41 games with a chance of the play-offs so it hasn't been a bad season.

"People need to be realistic as we haven't got the resources some sides have.

"We are a young inexperienced side and that showed in the last few games."

Meanwhile, the visitors will go into the clash knowing it is a must-win if they hope to make the play-offs.

City appeared to be out of the running for the top five after a shock 3-2 home defeat against relegated Sutton United, but fellow contenders Eastleigh, Havant & Waterlooville and Newport all dropped points.

Romans assistant manager Adie Britton told This Is Bath: "We go into the last day with something to play for and that's a position we didn't think we'd be in when the final whistle blew against Sutton.

"We have been given a second chance by other results and the players are fully focused on taking it.

"They will show the right attitude at Bishop's Stortford I'm sure and, if we come up trumps, then I think we've got half a chance of being in the play-offs.

"Newport's game against Fisher means there are five teams fighting for two spots, in effect, and we're one of them.

"It should prove a very interesting afternoon and let's hope we can get the result we need."

The hosts have a full-strength squad, but City are awaiting news from the FA regarding Lewis Hogg's suspension.

Sutton Utd v Cambridge City

Relegated Sutton United will entertain Cambridge City with the aim of ending their final day in the Blue Square South with good memories.

The hosts have gone unbeaten in the last two games and will target three points against a struggling City team.

The visitors have had a major slump in form which has seen them lose the last five out of six encounters.

But Gary Roberts has warned his charges they will be fighting for their contracts in the clash and expects a bettered display.

Braintree v Eastbourne Borough

Braintree Town will be hoping they can secure three points against Eastbourne Borough at Cressing Road to give them a shot of making the play-offs.

However, if the Iron record a win, they still need to hope rivals Fisher Athletic, Eastleigh, Newport County, Bath City and Bromley all drop points in order to clinch a coveted top-five finish.

Lee Patterson told Braintree and Witham Times: "We needed to make sure that we had a chance in the final game otherwise the season tails off.

"The fact that we still have something to play for is testament to the dedication of the players.

"They have always done what I have asked of them and I hope that if we do what we need to do and results go for us we can nick a play-off spot."

And while their opponents Boro have already secured a play-off spot, Patterson believes they will still provide a stern test.

"Eastbourne won't lie down and they'll want to finish with a win but we don't know how they'll approach it," he said.

"They can play with a relaxed manner knowing they're already in the play-offs.

"They may rest players - but there will still be people playing for places."

Andy Porter will be the only absentee for the hosts following his three-match ban.

Garry Wilson hinted he would rest some of his charges ahead of the crucial play-off semi-final on Tuesday.

"We want to go to Braintree and win but we have to assess the needs of the squad as well.

He told Eastbourne Today: "Braintree are one of a few sides in with a chance of the play-offs. We want to pick up some points but we have also to think about Tuesday."

Andy Atkin (ban) will miss the clash while Ben Austin and Neil Jenkins return from suspension.

Defender Marc Pullan (thigh) is hoping to play a full game against the Iron as he attempts to regain his match fitness.

Havant and Waterlooville v Welling United

Havant and Waterlooville will aim to end the season on a high when they entertain Welling United at Westleigh Park.

Shaun Gale's men have no realistic chance of reaching the play-offs and will look to finish as high up on the standings as possible.

The Wings will use the game to build on their recent six-match unbeaten streak and assess which of their squad members to keep for next season.

Hayes & Yeading v Bognor Regis

Michael Birmingham wants his Bognor side to end the season with a victory against Hayes & Yeading at Church Road.

The hosts however, will be looking for the three points to try and secure a top ten finish.

Home boss Garry Haylock has a fully-fit squad while Scott Harris and Chris Greatwich will be handed starting berths for the Rocks.

David Birmingham (foot) will not travel with the visitors and faces a lengthy recovery period.

Lewes v Weston-S-Mare

Blue Square South champions Lewes will aim to bounce back from their 6-0 rout at the hands of the Beavers when they face Weston-S-Mare at the Dripping Pan.

The Rooks plan to give their home fans something to cheer about on the last day of the season against a relegated Seagulls side.

Tony Ricketts' men will put up a strong challenge though as they aim to salvage their pride and end a long winless streak.

Newport County v Fisher

Newport County will hope to rain on Fisher's play-off parade and steal a top-five finish at Spytty Park.

The Exiles will be keen to bounce back from their 4-1 humbling at the hands of Thurrock on Monday night and secure the vital three points.

Boss Peter Beadle told the South Wales Argus: "I can't start doubting myself or my players now," he said.

"Monday was awful and we're all hurting. I didn't sleep that night but on Tuesday morning my mind turned to Saturday. We've got to put it out of our heads and concentrate on getting the win we need.

"It's still in our own hands and I believe this squad can achieve what we want to achieve, which is to get into the play-offs and win them.

"We've never been winners before this season but we've won the FAW Premier Cup and I think we'll show that we're winners once again on Saturday."

Craig Hughes and Lee Jarman will miss the clash through suspension for the hosts and are the only confirmed absentees.

Wayne Burnett is expected to go unchanged as his side look to cement their fourth-place seating.

Thurrock v Eastleigh

Eastleigh will need to utilise some big match temperament when they look to secure their place in the play-offs against an unpredictable Thurrock side at Ship Lane.

The hosts are high off a 4-1 victory against play-off hopeful's Newport County and although they lie in non-threatening 12th place, Spitfires assistant manager Paul Doswell is wary they could produce another such result.

He told the Southern Daily Echo: "You'd have thought Thurrock would have the beach towels and sun cream out by now and yet they're one of the form sides in the league.

"Beating Newport 4-1 is an astonishing result, but Thurrock can do that. This is a side that lost 8-1 at Bromley over Christmas and then beat Bromley 2-1 at home the following week.

"They've got decent, young players who, on their day, are as good as anyone in this league - especially in wide areas - and I can honestly say that going to Thurrock on Saturday will be as hard a game as we've had all season.

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