Chris Piper

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Play off rivals Eastleigh and Hampton & Richmond will battle to hold on to their coveted places when the teams clash at the Silverlake Stadium in the pick of the Blue Square South fixtures.

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Basingstoke v Lewes

League leaders Lewes will attempt to solidify their place at the summit when they travel to the Camrose Ground to square off against troubled Basingstoke Town.

The hosts claimed a vital point against high-flying Bishops on Saturday and are certain to continue their gutsy performance against the top side.

But the visitors - who are well on their way to securing the South title as the season draws to a close feel that the pressure going into the clash is very much on them.

Manager Steve King told the Sussex Express: "I get stopped every day by people talking about it (winning the title). But it's not won yet.

"People are getting a bit carried away. But I'm not getting carried away. We've got to take one game at a time. We have done nothing yet and that will be rammed into the players ahead of Saturday's game.

"It's all game on now. We've have got to approach Saturday's game against Basingstoke as if it's Eastleigh again. Mind you, I can't see us not approaching it in that way. It's too near to the finishing line now to not give it 150 per cent in every game."

In reference to Basingstoke's recent run of poor form, King added: "In that time they have drawn against Hampton, Bromley, Braintree and Bishop's Stortford. They are going to be relaxed - they can't go up and they can't go down."

Tom Davis is the only certain absentee for the Rooks, while defensive duo Steve Robinson and Ian Simpemba are expected to start following their mammoth display against Eastleigh.

Bognor Regis Town v St Albans

Relegation-threatened Bognor Regis Town will entertain fellow drop zone candidates St Albans at Nyewood Lane wary of the visitors recent surge in form.

The hosts will aim to break a three-match losing streak that has thrown them in the midst of the basement battle.

And the resulting five points from their last six games have pitted them only two points separate the Rocks and third-from-bottom Maidenhead United.

The visitors, in stark comparison are looking to make it eight games unbeaten.

Saints boss Steve Castle told Bognor Today: "We're a point ahead of Bognor with the same number of games played, and while a win still won't kill them off the game is the proverbial six pointer."

Hassan Sulaiman is a definite doubt for the visitors while Ryan Frater sits out his final game of suspension.

Braintree Town v Newport County

Braintree Town will hope to oust fellow play-off hopefuls Newport County when the teams lock horns at Cressing Road Stadium.

The Iron have undergone a two-match winless streak that has hampered their chances of gaining a place in the play-offs.

Both sides are level on 61 points, however the visitors have a vital game in hand.

Home boss Lee Patterson is urging Town's fans to help boost them into the top five. He told the club's official website: "The crowd have always been excellent for us since I've been here.

"They've always got behind the team and I hope that will continue tomorrow.

"We still have everything to play for and we need all of our fans to rally around us and get behind us as much as possible.

"Our fans can act as an extra man for us, especially at home."

Meanwhile, Exiles boss Peter Beadle told the South Wales Argus: "This is another one of those weekends where all the top sides play each other," Beadle said.

"We have every confidence we can go to Braintree and win and remain confident that we will get into that top five by the end of the season.

"There are plenty of twists and turns yet, but, as a squad, we still believe."

The hosts have a fully-fit side, but the visitors are without midfielder Lee Fowler (hamstring) while Richard Evans remains doubtful.

Andy Gurney is back in contention and is the most likely replacement for Fowler while Ian Hillier could replace the out-of-sorts Paul Cochlin.

Bromley v Havant and Waterlooville

Fairytale club Havant and Waterlooville will travel to Hayes Lane with the aim of extending their unbeaten streak and earning a play-off place against Bromley.

The hosts are almost out of the play-off picture, but manager Simon Osborn refuses to believe ending in the top five will be a mission impossible.

He told Bromley Times: "It will be very difficult. "We have to win the last three games and hope results elsewhere go our way. All I'm worried about is winning the last three games for the fans and to get as many points as possible."

Meanwhile visiting boss Shaun Gale expects his side to repeat their midweek heroics that saw them record a gritty 1-0 win against Newport County.

He told Portsmouth Today: "This is another massive game for us.

"If we can repeat the account we gave of ourselves at Newport, I don't see why we can't get something from the game.

"But Bromley have shown in their first year in this league they are a decent side and it won't be easy.

"It was a great result for us in Wales but it is important we keep our feet on the ground.

"We are still outside the play-off zone and there is a lot of hard work still to be done.

"The players showed, however, they are prepared to put their bodies on the line and work hard.

"That needs to be the norm because if they do that, with the ability we have in our squad, we can achieve our ambitions.

"We had to withstand a lot of pressure but we expected that because Newport had a player who can throw the ball a long way and two big powerful strikers.

"Our players stood up to it and were prepared to be counted."

Luke Nightingale (groin), Paul Watson (hamstring) and Jamie Day (groin) are all doubtful for the visitors and will handed late fitness tests.

Eastleigh v Hampton & Richm

Play off rivals Eastleigh and Hampton & Richmond will battle to hold on to their coveted places when the teams clash at the Silverlake Stadium.

The fourth-placed hosts suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of league leaders Lewes on Saturday and will be determined to end a three-match winless streak.

The Beavers, currently in third spot have been in fine fettle of late and have gone unbeaten in their last six encounters.

Peter Adeniyi is facing a three-match ban for the Spitfires while Adam Everitt will be suspended for five fixtures.

Meanwhile, Alan Devonshire is hoping to welcome back Glenn Harris and Elliott Frost to the starting line-up.

The Beavers boss is up for the challenge and insists his charges fear no one. He told This Is Local London: "We have beaten most of the teams around us this season and we are not frightened of anyone in this league.

"I don't know how far this team can go, but we didn't know what the players were capable of at the start of this season.

"I could have brought in a load of players with experience at Conference South level after last season, but I didn't.

"We have kept faith with these boys and they have shown what can be achieved by keeping your squad together."

Cambridge City v Weston-S-Mare

Relegation strugglers Weston-super-Mare will be hoping to walk away with all the spoils when they make the trip to the City Ground to face Cambridge City.

The hosts have suffered a terrible slump in form and have endured a three-game losing streak while the visitors have been just as poor.

The Lilywhites are well into safety and Seagulls boss Tony Ricketts will be eyeing an upset against the home team.

Scott Neilson and Joe Bruce are likely to start for the visitors following their impressive performance in the 2-0 defeat to Bath.

Matty Haniver will be unavailable for the 'Gulls as his loan spell has expired.

Dorchester v Hayes & Yeading

Basement battlers Dorchester will be looking to move away from the dreaded drop zone when they host Hayes & Yeading at the Jewson Stadium.

If the struggling hosts are able to defeat Garry Haylock's men and defeat consumes Maidenhead United and Weston-super-Mare - the Magpies will be four-points adrift of safety.

It would be the perfect opportunity for Shaun Brook's side to record a win as the visitors have been unable to secure three points in their last five fixtures.

Brooks told the club's official website: "Hayes have got goals in their team so we will have to be on our guard.

"We've been doing better at home lately which is good because traditionally, not just this season, the club has struggled at home, so we have started to turn that around.

"There's no reason why we can't go into the game full of confidence."

Mark Jermyn (calf) could be back in contention for the Magpies, while Jamie Gleeson and Tom Mitchell will be handed late fitness tests.

Haylock on the other hand, has no fresh concerns.

Eastbourne Borough v Bath City

Eastbourne Borough will be out to regain the Blue Square South top spot when play-off chasing Bath City visit Priory Lane.

The hosts have a number of injury concerns on their hands with Robbie Kember, Scott Ramsay, Marc Pullan, Matt Smart, Allan Tait and Nathan Crabb all sidelined.

Starlets Evan Archibald and Sam Crabb are in line to gain starting berths in Garry Wilson's under-strength squad.

Wilson told Eastbourne Today: "Any non league side in country would be up against it if you take away nine players. We will have a number of experienced players but we have no choice but to put the youngsters in at this stage.

"Sam and Evan did fantastically well at Weston. They both played with energy and without fear and it helped us to victory. The team did not play particularly well but we got the win and we desperately needed that."

The visitors have also been rocked by injuries with Chris Holland (knee), Justyn McKay (ankle) and strike pair Darren Edwards and Jason Wood all sidelined.

Lewis Hogg is also out for the clash through suspension.

John Relish told This Is Bath: "We need three points at the very least out of these next two games.

"If we do that and then beat Sutton at home and Bishop's Stortford away on the last day, then I really do think we'll sneak in there with 70 points.

"There are so many equations with teams having to play each other and it's impossible to know who needs what.

"But any side that strings three or four wins together now will be in there and we're one of those who have a chance.

"I think people have to acknowledge that going into April in our first season in this league with a chance of making the play-offs is a great achievement in itself."

Sutton Utd v Welling United

Rock-bottom Sutton United will entertain a wary an in-form Welling United side at the Borough Sports Ground.

The hosts have already been mathematically relegated from the Blue Square South and have endured a painful six-match losing streak.

On the other hand, the visitors have enjoyed a late boost in form and have gone unbeaten in their last five-fixtures.

Hitman Warren McBean is back in contention for the U's after returning from his loan spell at Eastleigh.

Bashiru Alimi (knee), Uzo Opara (knock) and Paul Honey (suspension) all miss the clash for the home team.

Meanwhile visiting boss Andy Ford refuses to underestimate the relegated side. He told Kent Online: "I see danger.

"If we put in a performance like we did against St Albans then there's a chance we could lose the game.

"Jimmy Dack would have been in there for a week or so and worked on a few things. He will get things changed over there so it will be tough for us.

"If we go there and think that because we're playing a team that is relegated it will be easy then we're not going to get anything from the game.

"We'll say all the right things to the players before the game and they need to reach the standard of performance that we expect."

Daniel Nwazne (suspension) and Ellis Green (wisdom tooth) will be unavailable for the Wings.

Fisher v Thurrock

Fisher Athletic welcome Thurrock to Champion Hill hoping to gain three points in their last home game of the season.

Both sides will be in a buoyant mood after securing victories last time out. The Fish steam rolled past Bognor Regis Town 3-1 while Fleet recorded a shock 3-2 victory over Eastbourne Borough.

Home boss Wayne Burnett told the club's official website: "It will be a tough game, no doubt, and it will be an intriguing match for the fans as their will be two contrasting styles on show.

"They like to play it long whereas we prefer to play more to feet so it's an interesting prospect.

"I know it's a footballing cliche but we are only taking it one game at a time. Our thoughts are only on the Thurrock match and how we will go about gaining the right result.

"Only then, after the game, will we sit down again and work out what needs to be done for the remainder of the season."

Both sides have no fresh concerns going into the encounter as Fish push for a play-off place and the visitors look to extend their safety.

Maidenhead Utd v Bishops Sford

High-flying Bishops Stortford will attempt to ease past relegation battlers Maidenhead United at York Road.

The hosts have been perilous at home in the current campaign - with only their emphatic away form keeping them out the bottom three for most of the campaign.

A win is imperative if they are to starve off the drop, but they have failed to gain three points in their last six outings.

The visitors meanwhile are wary of prolific Magpies scorer Manny Williams.

Martin Hayes told the club's official website: "Manny is a player we have come against before and I knew of him when he played for Leyton. He can play out wide or down the middle and is a quick and tricky player.

"I suppose he could be compared to Loui in his style of play and stature."

Hayes will be hoping Danny Harris and Loui Fazakerley are fit to start the game.

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