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Saturday's Blue Square South preview

Fisher Athletic prepare to take on Jeff King's Chelmsford City this weekend while Maidenhead United play host to Worcester City.

Fisher Athletic v Chelmsford

Fisher Athletic can expect a stern test of their Blue Square South credentials this weekend when high-flying Chelmsford City make the trip to Champion Hill.

It has been all change at Fisher Athletic in the past two weeks with Dave Mehmet installed as the side's new first-team manager.

Mehmet steered the Fish to a 4-3 victory over Hayes & Yeading in his first game in charge and will be hoping for a repeat performance this weekend.

Full-back Robbie Ryan signed for the club this week on a free transfer from Ashford Town and he is expected to make his debut on Saturday.

Jeff King's title-chasing side will be targeting a second consecutive victory this weekend in a bid to reclaim pole position in the Blue Square South.

City will be looking to steal a march on leaders AFC Wimbledon and two other rivals, Team Bath and Hayes & Yeading United, who find themselves embroiled in FA Cup action elsewhere, and victory would put the Clarets back on top of the table going into Monday night's visit of Bishop's Stortford to Melbourne Park.

Maidenhead Utd v Worcester City

Maidenhead United play host to Worcester City at York Road on Saturday as they look to close the gap on the league leaders.

The Magpies find themselves in a play-off berth after an impressive start to the campaign and trail joint leaders AFC Wimbledon and Team Bath by just three points with a game in hand.

Manager Johnson Hippolyte is expecting a tricky tie but says that his side are full of confidence ahead of Saturday's clash.

He told the Maidenhead Advertiser: "I went down to watch Worcester play Team Bath on Monday and you can see why both sides are where they are in the league.

"We've had a lot players back from injury and our confidence is pretty high.

"We know how we want to play and if we do that then who knows?"

Worcester boss Richard Dryden has a bit of a selection headache with a number of his first-team players currently ill.

Marco Adaggio, Matt Dins-more, Craig Wilding and Sam Tyack have all been suffering from a mystery stomach bug.

However, right-back Graham Ward is expected to have shaken off a virus in time for Saturday's encounter.

"The bug has struck again," Dryden told Worcester News.

"I got a phone call from Graham Ward to say he had it but he seems to think he will be OK.

"I think he will be fine to play."

Newport County v Welling

Strugglers Newport County will be looking to give their supporters something to cheer about when Welling United visit Spytty Park.

The Exiles currently find themselves hovering just above the relegation places after picking up 10 points from 12 matches and fans favourite Nathan Davies believes that Newport have finally turned the corner.

He told the South Wales Argus: "The last three games have been more positive.

"There is more shape to the team and we're not conceding as many. We're still capable of scoring more but we've tightened up a bit at the back and we've definitely improved.

"Team spirit is very good and if we can string a few results together now we will fly up the league."

The 26-year-old County youth product is doubtful for Saturday's encounter as he has been struggling to shake off a bad case of the flu.

Welling added two new faces to their squad in midweek and the pair made their debuts in Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to St Albans City.

22-year-old striker James Baker has joined from Eastleigh while young defender Sanchez Ming arrives from Fisher Athletic.

The Wings currently find themselves in eighth place with 21 points from 13 games.

St Albans v Bath City

St Albans City will be looking to extend their winning run to five games when Bath City visit Clarence Park on Saturday.

City edged past Welling United on Tuesday night thanks to Jonathan Hunt's successfully converted first-half penalty and a sturdy defence at the other end of the pitch.

The Saints have revealed that defender Lee Protheroe and midfielder Ben Bowditch were both released on Thursday.

Steve Castle's side currently occupy 10th place in the Blue Square South with 20 points from 13 games.

Bath City trail their opponents by three points, with a game in hand and will be focused on hauling them in with a winning result on Saturday afternoon.

Lewis Hogg (knee), Sekani Simpson and Stuart Douglas (both hamstring) return to contention after being rested in midweek.

Left winger Richard Evans joined the Stripes this week after being released by Newport County but he has not received international clearance for the Weekend's clash.

Thurrock v Bognor Regis Town

Thurrock will be targeting a second consecutive victory when rock-bottom Bognor Regis Town make the trip to Ship Lane.

The Fleet secured the services of Barnet winger Danny Hart on a month's loan on Tuesday and he went straight into the squad for the 2-1 win against Braintree Town.

The hosts will be keen to pick up another victory this weekend as it could potentially lift them out of the drop zone.

Bognor Regis Town boss Mick Jenkins has a virtually full squad to choose from but the match will come too soon for midfielder James Harper.

Meanwhile, Jenkins has confirmed that he is looking to strengthen his attacking options with his goal-shy strikers failing to impress.

"Another striker is our number-one priority," Jenkins told the Bognor Regis Observer.

"We've made inquiries about a number of them.

"But it's very difficult when you're strapped for cash and bottom of the league. It's not an attractive proposition.

"I can assure fans we'll carry on searching for the right striker until we sign him.

"The frustrating thing is we are defending well and playing well, but when you do not score goals, it doesn't matter how you play. You're only going to find yourselves at the wrong end of the table."