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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon will be looking to increase their advantage at the top of the Blue Square South table when they travel to Hayes & Yeading on Saturday afternoon.

Basingstoke v Team Bath

Team Bath travel to Basingstoke on Saturday to face Basingstoke hoping for three points to move to second place on the Blue Square South table.

The Scholars will be looking to increase their unbeaten run of the season while the Dragons would be looking to break their duck.

Frank Gray's side is currently sitting in 21st spot on the log while Team Bath are at a lofty third spot.

It's a crucial win for Basingstoke if they wish to avoid relegation and whilst it's likely that The Dragons will have a full strength squad they might just be no match for The Scholars.

Wycombe Wanderers duo Calum Botham and Scott Shulton joined Stoke on one-month loan deals earlier this week and they could be the reinforcement keys Stoke need.

Bath City v Eastleigh

Bath City will host Eastleigh at Twerton Park on Saturday in a Blue Square South clash.

This last time these two sides locked horns the game ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw but City will be eager to gain a victory in order to prevent a rather average opening to their season turning into a poor one.

Eastleigh have made an excellent start to their season and currently sit in fourth spot on the Blue Square South table but they have only won one game away from home.

Eastleigh have triumphant in six of their opening nine games and boss Ian Baird will most likely rely on the same squad that has proved to be so effective.

Bognor Regis Town v Fisher Athletic

Bognor Regis Town will host Fisher Athletic at Nyewood Lane on Saturday and both sides will be looking for a win in their Blue Square South campaign.

The Rocks will have to make due without defending-duo Gary McDonald and Paul Watson while Joe Hatting has returned to Brighton.

Watson has work commitments and Mcdonald is serving a two-week ban for a red card.

There are no reported injuries for Fisher and Sami Muduroglu will be hoping that Ivorian midfielder Sosthene Yao can produce the goods as he did against Basingstoke.

Braintree Town v Bromley

Braintree Town host Bromley at Cressing Road in a Blue Square South match on Saturday.

Braintree Town manger Lee Patterson was however hit with an injury crisis earlier this week and only has 12 fit firs team players at his disposal.

A win is crucial for The Iron in order to push themselves out of the near-relegation zone.

Full-back Mark Jokes sustained an ankle injury during the midweek game and could be out for three to four weeks while Stevland Angus pulled a hamstring and Ryan Moran is out with an unknown injury.

Braintree will also be without Billy Burgess who is suspended.

There are no reported injuries for Bromley and Mark Goldberg claimed earlier this week that he believes his charges can build on their success.

"I felt that the game at Bishop's Stortford - before we hosted Weston - was very encouraging, even though we lost," Goldberg told the Bromley Times.

Havant and W v Hampton & Richmond

Havant & Waterlooville host Hampton & Richmond at West Leigh Park on Saturday in a Blue Square South clash.

Hampton & Richmond will be without defender Graham Harper who is still in hospital after being involved in a freak clash during their victory over Bath City.

Craig Tanner netted his first goal of the season against City and he will be hoping to build on this momentum.

Striker Nana Badu also returned from a 12-month injury last week and said that he just needs a couple of games to rediscover his touch.

"I think I need a few more games and I've already been back with the physios to work on my strengthening and fitness," Badu told YourLocalGuardian.

"The sharpness will come once I get used to the system of play here and the players around me. I've played at this level before, but it takes a bit of re-adjusting after being away from it."

There are no reported changes or injuries for The Hawks,

Hayes & Yeading v AFC Wimbledon

Hayes & Yeading will host AFC Wimbledon at Church Road on Saturday in a Blue Square South game.

The Dons' boss Terry Brown was surprised by the positive start his team had to the season and confessed that the upcoming trip to will give him a better idea of just how good his team is.

"Drax (Johnson Hippolyte) has done a wonderful job at Maidenhead but it would be a big ask for them to be challenging," he told SouthLondonPress.

"I went and watched Hayes last week and I thought they were a very, very good side. It will be a very tough game on Saturday and a real challenge."

It is not known whether new signing, striker Danny Kedwell will make his full bow yet and there are no reported injuries for either team so this clash looks set to be thriller.

Maidenhead Utd v Bishop's Stortford

Maidenhead United host Bishop's Stortford at York Road on Saturday in a Blue Square South match.

Both teams will be keen on a victory but Maidenhead will have the upper hand as they trashed Bishops in a 5-0 romping at York Road in March this year.

It was Maidenhead's biggest ever victory and Bishops' biggest ever defeat.

Richard Howell has returned from injury for Bishops after making a full 90-minute return on Wednesday night. Sam Taylor however picked up a knock in the same game and is doubtful for the clash.

Maidenhead look to have a full strength squad as there have been no reported injuries.

Newport County v St Albans

Newport County will host St Albans City at the Newport Stadium on Saturday in a Blue Square South match.

After manager Dean Holdsworth claimed that his job is no good for his health the Exiles will be looking to come a way with a win from the match.

The Saints have had a poor start to their season so far but received a boost when Luke Thurlbourne signed a one-month loan deal from Southend United.

Thurlbourne will go straight into the squad while Ryan Frater continues to recover from injury.

Nicky Church has parted ways with the Exiles which will hand stopper Scott James a second chance.

Holdsworth was adamant that James needs to grab this opportunity by the horns and that County have turned a corner.

"Scott knows this is his last chance," the boss told SouthWalesArgus.

"If he doesn't take it he will be out and I won't hesitate to tell people why.

"In the past four or five games we've improved a lot, I think we're ready to finally put a run together."

Thurrock v Dorchester

Dorchester Town travel to Thurrock on Saturday looking for their first win in their Blue Square South campaign since the opening day of the season.

The Magpies are undefeated in their last four fixtures and coach John Donoghue will focus on the positive of his squad only losing one of their four away fixtures so far.

Neither of the teams have won a league clash on their home turf yet but the Magpies have managed to keep two clean sheets at home.

Town boss Shaun Brooks has new injury worries and Donoghue confirmed that the usual suspect will most likely be in action.

"We're expecting everyone who was available last week to be available again at Thurrock," the coach told DorsetEcho.

Thurrock will be keen to build on their success of running out victors in their last couple of games.

Welling v Worcester

Welling United host Worcester City at Park View Road on Saturday in a Blue Square South match.

The Wings are so far unbeaten at home and frontman Rob Quinn confessed that their target would be to score first, especially after going three games without a win.

"We need to get the first goal and start off brilliantly like we did against Dorchester," Quinn told KentOnline.

"We need to make sure we start well and kick on from there. We need to get back to winning ways, even if it is a scrappy 1-0.

"Everyone enjoys playing at home, we've got no fear with the youngsters so we'll try to be positive and get the win."

Boss Andy Ford will hope to see Charlie Sheringham make a comeback while Orlando Smith is still recovering from long term injury.

Chris Nurse has recently been added to the squad but it is not clear whether the midfielder will make his bow on Saturday.

Michael McGrath has joined Worcester City on Thursday on a month-long deal from Kidderminster Harriers and it would be expected that the player will make his bow on Saturday.

Weston-S-Mare v Chelmsford

Victory is paramount for Jeff King's promotion-chasing Clarets on Saturday as they host Chelmsford at the Woodspring Stadium.

City tasted a loss for the first time last Saturday when rivals Havant & Waterlooville edged a tight match, 2-1.

Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather is convinced the squad will get straight back on track

"It's no more essential that we win this game than any other as we always go out onto the pitch with confidence. We have fantastic away form so far and we're itching to bounce back and return to winning ways after last weekend," Pennyfather said.

Only right-back Justin Miller a doubt as he continues to assess the leg injury he picked-up a fortnight ago.

The squad will however be without young midfielder Stuart Ainsley, who has been released.

"Stuart wasn't getting any games with us and at this early stage in his career he really needs to be playing," the boss added.

Weston have enjoyed a mixed start to their season winning drawing and losing their games in almost equal measure.

Their last match also ended in defeat, 3-0, and they will be equally keen to claim the three points which would elevate them up towards the play-off places.