Rocky Baptiste

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Bromley tackle Hampton & Richmond while Eastleigh square off against play-off rivals Bishops Stortford in the pick of the Blue Square South fixtures.

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Braintree Town v Bath City

Play-off chasing Braintree Town will aim to leapfrog Bath City in the Blue Square South standings when they make the trip to Cressing Road Stadium.

Lee Patterson's charges are undefeated in their last five games and lie a point behind City, while posessing a vital game in hand.

The Iron will need to secure the three points if they are to stake a claim for a coveted play-off place.

Patterson told Braintree Times: "We need to win our final seven games and, if we do, I'm sure the lads will make the promotion play-offs for the second season running.

"But we can't afford to get too carried away.

"One look at the league table will show you that any of the top 11 clubs can still be in the promotion frame by the time the play-offs come around.

"Our next two games, at home to sixth-placed Bath City on Saturday and away to fourth-placed Hampton and Richmond next Tuesday, are very crucial to our chances.

"Even if we win those two we'll still be chasing the pack.

"There's still a long way to go. Lots of clubs are playing for play-off positions, but I want to give Bratintree Town the best chance I can.

"Every point from now until the end of the season is crucial and anyone in this league is capable of beating anyone else.

"So forget about how we play from now on - it's results that matter and I'll be majorly disappointed if we don't make the play-offs."

Meanwhile, the Romans' confidence will be boosted after Easter Monday's 4-0 victory at Basingstoke Town.

The teams met for the first time last month, when the sides battled out a goalless draw at Twerton Park.

Bognor Regis Town v Newport County

Newport County will travel to Bognor Regis Town hoping to put a disappointing week behind them and secure three points at Nyewood Lane.

The hosts will need to bounce back from Monday's defeat against Eastleigh if they are to stop an Exiles side determined to earn a play-off place.

The Rocks occupy 16th spot in the league, but only have a three-point gap over third-from-bottom St Albans.

David Birmingahm returns from suspension for Michael Birmingham's men while Andy Pearson (mumps) and David Ray (leg) remain sidelined.

Meanwhile, Peter Beadle has no new concerns and will hope his charges can recover from three straight defeats.

Bromley v Hampton & Richmond

Play-off rivals Bromley and Hampton & Richmond will face off at Hayes Lane with both teams looking to advance their promotion aims.

The Lilywhites are on a two-game winning streak and will be bubbling with confidence following the 3-1 home win over Cambridge City.

Alan Devonshire's charges will be feeling just as motivated, following their 3-0 win over in-form Fisher.

Cambridge City v Lewes

Lewes will make the trip to the City Ground hoping to restore their quest for the automatic Blue Square South promotion place against Cambridge City.

The hosts will be boosted by new signings Charlie Sheringham and Scott Neilson who will go straight into the starting line-up.

Lee Roache and Neil Midgley will be missing for City.

Steve King's men will be looking to record another emphatic away win after their 3-0 rout of Thurrock.

Dorchester v Thurrock

Struggling Dorchester will welcome an inconsistent Thurrock side to the Avenue Stadium with the hopes of securing the much-needed three-points.

Magpies' defender Roy O'Brien believes the Magpies are "more than capable" of winning their next two games.

He told the club's official website: "We have been going into every game wanting to win it and we know we need six points from the next two.

"We know all about Thurrock and Maidenhead and we will be going into both encounters with a positive attitude because we are more than capable of winning both of them.

"A lot of people will look at our results and just think they are rubbish' but our performances have been improving and we need to continue that."

Goalkeeper Simon Evans will be missing for the hosts, but the rest of Shaun Brooks' squad are expected to be fit and available.

The Fleet will be aiming to secure a steady run off wins following their topsy-turvey run of form.

Eastbourne Borough v Weston-S-Mare

Eastbourne Borough will hope to secure their place at the Blue Square South summit when they welcome relegation battlers Weston Super Mare to Priory Lane.

Blue Square South leaders Eastbourne suffered only their sixth loss of the season by a slender 1-0 margin at Welling.

Boro are still one point ahead of Lewes at the top but have now played a game more.

Manager Garry Wilson is still disappointed by the Easter defeats.

He told Eastbourne Today: "There is no point in us feeling sorry for ourselves.

"It was a blow but we have to move on. If we were offered this situation at the start of the season, we would have taken it.

"We have six games to go and we will continue to fight and take Lewes as far we can.

Nathan Crabb (back) and Marc Pullan (thigh) are major doubts for the hosts and will be handed late fitness tests.

Top scorer Andy Atkin will brave his persistent calf strain to feature in the clash.

Meanwhile, Weston will be boosted by the return of Curtis Ujah, while Charlie Comyn-Platt could also return to contention.

Visiting manager Tony Ricketts will be disappointed that Mark McKeever will not be lining up against the leaders leaders after Bath City rejected the club's offer.

Sutton Utd v Fisher

Relegation-threathened Sutton Utd will host a Fisher side eager to make the play-offs at the Borough Sports Ground.

Ernie Howe's men have to lift themselves up after a demoralising 3-1 loss at Bishops.

The U's will be eager to stop their winless rot and with no fresh injury concerns, three-points could be on the cards for the hosts.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Simon Overland (broken arm) will be missing for the visitors, but Wayne Burnett has snapped up Knowles who will feature between the sticks.

Influential frontman Jeff Goulding has been loaned to Grays and will be unavailable for the clash.

St Albans v Havant and Waterlooville

Basement battlers St Albans will entertain FA Cup heroes Havant and Waterlooville at Clarence Park hoping to add to their five match unbeaten run.

The Saints will be chasing a third successive league home victory against a Hawks side aiming to snatch a play-off place.

The last time Havant visited Clarence Park was on 31st December 2005 when goals in each half from Lee Clarke and Simon Martin helped the Saints to a 2-0 win.

Neither side have any fresh concerns and with both teams enjoying a good run of form, Rocky Baptiste could prove to be the difference for the Hawks.

Maidenhead Utd v Welling United

Maidenhead Utd will play host to Welling United at York Road with both teams eager to extend their safety in the Blue Square South.

Both teams need to bounce back from recent losses with the Magpies going down 2-1 at home to Thurrock and the Wings losing by the same margin to Braintree Town.

On-loan midfielder Sonny Cobbs is Welling's only notable absentee through suspension while his Brighton colleague, Sam Gargan, is available to manager boss Andy Ford.

Johnson Hippolyte has no injury worries and is expected to boast a fully-fit squad.

Eastleigh v Bishops Sford

Eastleigh will aim to extend their lead over their play-off rivals when Bishops Stortford make the trip to Silverlake Stadium.

The Spitfires are enjoying a two-game winning run, while Bishops are unbeaten in their last four.

Ian Baird has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the encounter.

Steffan Gaisie and Danny Harris are still not fit and remain sidelined for the visitors.

Loui Fazakerley (hernia) will also be missing, while Ahmed Deen and Roy Essandoh are back in contention.

Basingstoke v Hayes & Yeading

Basingstoke Town will be looking to bounce back from defeat when Hayes & Yeading make the trip to the Camrose Ground.

The15th-placed hosts did themselves no favours by losing 4-0 to Bath City on Easter Monday and will be aiming to end their recent losing streak.

The visitors also suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of St Albans and have not recorded a win in three outings.

Both teams will be vying for the much-needed three points as they look to increase their safety in the Blue Square South.

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