Steve King

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Newport County will be keen on regaining their play-off spot when they entertain high-flying Eastbourne Borough in the pick of the Blue Square South fixtures while Lewes are on the verge of lifting the title.

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Bath City v Sutton Utd

Bath City will aim to consolidate their play-off spot as the season reaches fever pitch when relegated Sutton United make the trip to Twerton Park.

The hosts occupy the final play-off spot with three fixtures remaining, but the likes of Newport County and Havant and Waterlooville are perilously close to knocking City off their perch.

The visitors are on the back of eight straight defeats but Romans manager John Relish refuses to underestimate the U's.

He told This Is Bath: "We've put ourselves in a good position now.

"The only thing that slightly worries me about Saturday is that they're coming with no fear at all.

"They're down and sometimes you come up against teams who just want to play football and they just have a real crack at you.

"We've just got to make sure we make it a really difficult game for them.

"I think we've got the bit between our teeth again now and I don't think we've done much wrong in the last month."

City are hoping to welcome back Darren Edwards (hamstring) and Justyn McKay (ankle) into the squad while Lewis Hogg misses the clash as he serves the sixth game of his seven-match ban.

Meanwhile, Paul Honey returns from suspension for the visitors while Bashiru Alimi (knee) is still unlikely to feature.

Bishops Sford v Fisher

Bishops Stortford and Fisher Athletic will both be looking to mount a late push for a play-off place when the teams clash at Woodside Park.

The hosts have dropped down to ninth-place following a three-game winless streak and lie two points adrift of the play-off zone.

Wayne Burnett's charges are well poised in seventh-place and are level on points with Bath City who occupy the last play-off spot.

Home boss Martin Hayes understands Bishops cannot afford to drop any more points in the season run-in.

He told the Harlow Herald: "It's important we find our form and get back to doing what we have done all season."

"Fisher need to win as they have three tough games so I expect them to come and try and get at us, but I know if we get ourselves sorted we are good enough to get the result."

Jason Mason (suspension) will be out for the hosts while Sam Taylor (thigh) and Craig Edwards (foot) will be handed late fitness tests.

Newport County v Eastbourne Borough

Newport County will be keen on regaining their play-off spot when they entertain high-flying Eastbourne Borough at Newport Stadium.

The hosts have a game in hand over Bath City - who occupy the final play-off spot - and are level on points with the Romans.

And nothing less than three points in the last three games will do for boss Peter Beadle as the Exiles prepare for a tough run-in.

He told the South Wales Argus: "It's a simple equation - if we win all three we're there and nobody can catch us.

"We've performed superbly over the last few weeks and after the win at Cambridge on Tuesday we're starting to get a bit more confident.

"If we keep winning it keeps it in our own hands and that's what we want - we don't want to be in a situation where we're relying on other results to get into the play-offs."

The visiting Eastbourne side have all but confirmed their place in the play-offs, but after just one win in their last six games have conceded the Blue Square South title.

Beadle also feels the Exiles have a good chance of clinching the three points.

"They're a very good side but they've had a bit of a rough time with injuries and suspensions recently and that has taken its toll," he said.

"Lewes look as if they're going to win the league now so Eastbourne may already be focussing on the play-offs and might be tempted to rest a few players.

"But we can't worry about their situation. They are still very capable of getting a result here so we've got to be on top of our game."

Lee Fowler will be missing for the hosts, while striker Charlie Griffin (groin) is expected to be fit enough to start upfront.

Meanwhile, Sports boss Garry Wilson could hand striker Ross Treleavan his first start following his impressive substitute performance against Bath City at Priory Lane.

Wilson told Eastbourne Today: "He did very well last week and he is definitely in contention for a start.

"The lads we have brought in have shown tremendous attitude and we know we have good back-up in the squad."

The visiting boss expects a big display from his charges against a dangerous County side.

He added, "Newport are a big club and if any side in this division has the fanbase and infrastructure in place to be successful in the National, it is them.

"They will have a good crowd and I'm sure the atmosphere will be good. They are favourites because we have a few players missing. They will throw everything at us but I want us to go there and be strong. This is a team we could well meet in the play-offs so it's important we put in a good display."

Ben Austin and Andy Atkin will miss the clash through suspension while Robbie Kember (ankle) remains doubtful.

Allan Tait is still not match fit but Sam Crabb and Matt Crabb will be able to make the trip along with Neil Jenkins who returns from suspension.

Hampton & Richm v Bognor Regis

Bognor Regis Town will attempt to cause an upset and aid their battle against the dreaded drop when they travel to face an in-form Hampton & Richmond side at the Beveree Stadium.

Home boss Alan Devonshire has warned his charges that although their play-off spot is secured in theory, there is still a lot of work to do before the play-offs.

The mentor also advised the Beavers that they can not underestimate their battling opponents.

He told Your Local Guardian: "We have beaten most of the teams around us this season and we are not frightened of anyone in this league.

"There were a few surprises on Saturday, with a lot of the bottom teams winning.

"It just shows what the bottom teams can do when they are fighting for their lives.

"It will be difficult to get results, but we have to take this form into the play-offs.

"We want to stay unbeaten and see what happens from there."

Devonshire could be tempted to rotate his squad in an attempt to keep the players as fresh as possible.

"I think the win over Braintree took more out of the players mentally and physically than we expected," he said.

"We didn't play well against Eastleigh. We were a bit sluggish.

"We have got a couple of players to come back and hopefully we'll be sharper come the weekend, he added"

Meanwhile, the Rocks will be after the three points that will help them advance further away from the danger zone.

Teenage defender Joe Oastler is expected to be fit for Michael Birmingham's men while Phil Warner misses the clash through suspension.

Havant and Waterlooville v Maidenhead

Havant and Waterlooville will look to get their play-off bid back on track when they welcome relegation-threatened Maidenhead United to Westleigh Park.

Shaun Gale's charges have lost ground in the top half of the table following a two-game winless streak, but are still very much in the play-off hunt.

The Hawks will view the game against the lowly Magpies as the perfect chance to put some distance between themselves and rivals Bath City and Newport County.

Johnson Hippolyte's side will look to continue their two-match winning run as they attempt to slowly crawl their way to safety.

Lewes v Dorchester

Dorchester Town will have a tough task of halting Lewes' push for the title when the league leaders host the basement battlers at the Dripping Pan.

The Rooks will clinch the Blue Square South title in front of their home fans if they can achieve three points against the Magpies.

And Steve King's men will be confident of lifting the title on Saturday as apart from long-term absentee Tom Davis, the leaders have a fully-fit squad.

However, Shaun Brooks men are determined to walk away with the three points - even though it may not be enough to save them from relegation in the greater scheme of things.

Brooks told the Dorset Echo: "We've got to win, but even then we don't know if that will be enough because of other results.

"We need to have a real go at Lewes who need to win to secure the title. We're fighting for our lives so we will try and put a dent in their title hopes.

"It looks like it's too late to save our season though, we've got a good nucleus of players but still need a few additions.

"We will go to Lewes confident because there isn't a lot of pressure on us. It's up to us to try and spoil their party."

If Dorchester lose to Lewes and St Albans avoid defeat to Eastleigh , the visitors' relegation to the BGB Southern Premier Division could be confirmed tomorrow.

Brooks added: "I watched Lewes beat Fisher on Wednesday night and you could see why they are up there in the table.

"We have to match them physically because I doubt it will be a game for getting the ball down and passing it around."

Nick Eastham will be missing for Dorcheter as he returned to parent club Salisbury City while fellow striker Eric Manangu (knee) is rated as doubtful.

Patrece Liburd (groin) is facing a race against time to be fit for the visitors along with Tareq Khalil (knee).

Hayes & Yeading v Cambridge City

Hayes & Yeading will host Cambridge City at Church Road as both sides seek to end in the season in the top ten.

The hosts will be anxious to end their six-game losing rut against a team placed one position below themselves in 14th spot.

But the Lilywhites will not surrender the three-points willingly as they attempt to repeat the form that saw them stick five past Weston two fixtures ago.

Weston-S-Mare v Bromley

Drop-zone battling Weston-Super-Mare will be gunning for the vital three points against Bromley at the Woodspring Stadium.

The visitors are languishing in third-from-bottom and will hope they can secure a win while other results fall in their favour.

The visitors meanwhile have an outside shot at the play-offs but with only three games left - will hope to get as close as possible to the top five.

St Albans v Eastleigh

Eastleigh will hope to inadvertently put a nail in St Albans City's coffin when they travel to Clarence Park.

The hosts however, need to get back to winning ways after suffering defeat against fellow strugglers Bognor - a loss that ended a superb seven-game unbeaten streak.

The Spitfires will look to hold on to their coveted play-off spot, but City boss Steve Castle is targeting a major upset.

He told This Is Local London: "We just want everyone to get behind the club and the team.

"Supporters have been coming back in drips and drabs but we need as good a support as possible to get behind the players at this time of the season.

"We don't want any negative vibes as it's important we stay in this league and the St Albans public can play a big part in that.

"We've got some players that really rise to the occasion in the big games and a big, vocal crowd can lift us.

"Even the match officials can be affected by a big crowd.

"All the teams down the bottom are fighting tooth and nail and there is still going to be plenty of drama to come.

"Maximum points from our three remaining games will virtually assure us safety."

Ryan Frater returns from suspension for the Saints while defensive partner Ben Martin (hamstring) has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Ian Baird, on the other hand has a full-strength squad to choose from.

Thurrock v Braintree Town

Thurrock will aim too pull one over former manager Lee Patterson as he leads his Braintree Town charges to Ship Lane.

The hosts have no mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs while the visitors have to slim a chance to consider a top-five finish.

Meanwhile, Iron goalkeeper Nicky Morgan believes last season's stumble in the play-off final is spurring the players on.

He told Braintree and Witham Times: "We're desperate to do well after what happened last season.

"It was a painful defeat, especially when you see Salisbury City holding their own in the Conference.

"We were so close last year but we have the experience of last season under our belts and a bit of experience in the play-off atmosphere, which has made us even hungrier to do well."

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