Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Top-of-the-table Chelmsford will look to increase their lead when they face off against fifth placed Hayes & Yeading in the Blue Square South this weekend.

AFC Wimbledon v Newport County

Fourth placed AFC Wimbledon play host to 18th placed Newport County this weekend.

The Wombles will be looking to consolidate their position in the play-off zone whilst the Exiles will be desperate to stay out of the relegation spots at the other end of the table.

Newport have won only one league game since beating Bromley on 4 October. Their form has improved somewhat since the arrival of Aaron Cooke and Wayne Turk on loan from cash-strapped Salisbury City.

Their improving form has not been lost on Wimbledon coach Terry Brown, who told the club's official site: "Saturday's game signals almost the halfway stage for the season as we entertain Newport County for the second meeting of the clubs this season. Dean's side appears to be on the up, and if their FA Trophy tie against Rushden and Diamonds is anything to go by, we shall be in for a very difficult afternoon."

Bishop's Stortford v Weston-S-Mare

Bishop's Stortford seek to avoid slipping into the relegation zone as they play host to 15th placed Weston-S-Mare at Woodside Park on Saturday.

The Bishops are sitting at 19th on the table and will be desperate for a victory.

The Seagulls said goodbye to Guadeloupe born centre-back Cedric Abraham in the week and new Manager Andrew Gurney is expected to play Charlie Comyn-Platt and the fit again Craig Rand at the back.

The Bishops have recently signed Fulham striker Lewis Smith and he may well feature for them up front.

The youngster has been a regular fixture in Fulham's Premier Reserve League side and should act as the spearhead of the attack.

Chelmsford v Hayes & Yeading

Chelmsford look to increase their lead over the rest of the pack as they take on Hayes & Yeading in their first home game since Saturday 14th November.

Chelmsford will be looking to put the memory of that last home game, a freakish 3-2 reverse against Bath City, behind them and they have a good opportunity against an injury ravaged United side.

Hayes dropped two at home in an important meeting with Eastleigh a fortnight ago and will be keen to give their push for the summit a boost against the Clarets.

Dorchester v Braintree Town

13th placed Dorchester take on 14th placed Braintree Town at Avenue Stadium on Saturday.

Dorchester are on a three game winning streak after beating Thurrock 4-3 at the Jewson Stadium in their last game. Striker Jamie Mudge hammered home a superb hat-trick, and it would seem he is the man to watch for the Magpies at the moment.

Braintree were thrashed by Bath in their last game. The Iron conceded four goals and had their misery compounded when Micky Shinn was dismissed for serious foul play

Eastleigh v Thurrock

Eastleaigh continue their bid for the summit when they take on 16th placed Thurrock on Saturday.

They travelled to third placed Hayes & Yeading for the Blue Square fixture last Saturday and emerged victorious, Tom Jordan scoring the winner in the 86th minute.

It was Eastleigh's fifth successive Blue Square South victory, which in a period of three weeks has seen them beat Maidenhead United, Team Bath, A F C Wimbledon and Hayes & Yeading.

Thurrock fans hoping to see the return of Matt Bodkin will be disappointed as it appears he has finished his loan early and left Eastleigh.

Hampton & Richmond v Basingstoke

Hampton and Richmond play host to Basingstoke at Beveree Stadium on Saturday.

The Dragons recorded a 1-1 draw with Bishop's Stortford in their last league game while the Beavers continued their run of good form by going down to the South Coast and bringing back all three points from a sunny, if cold Bognor Regis.

Basingstoke desperately need points if they are to ascend up the table from 21st position.

Havant and Waterloo v St Albans

Havant and Waterloo face off against St Albans at West Leigh Park on Saturday.

City's FA Trophy hopes came to a rain soaked conclusion at a soggy Broadhall Way last Saturday as they were beaten 4-1 by Blue Square Premier side Stevenage. But the Friars played well against tough opponents and will take heart from the game.

Havant are sitting at 17th on the table, but will be fired up after progressing to the last 32 of the FA Trophy thanks largely to a brilliant Craig Watkins' hat-trick.

Maidenhead Utd v Bromley

Maidenhead United come up against Bromley at York Road on Saturday.

Magpies manager Johnson 'Drax' Hippolyte was pleased to report that his squad has been training well and that they are expecting to have several players back from injury for Saturday's game.

Speaking to the Maidenhead advertiser, he said: "We're getting players back from injury now, like Dominic Sterling, and I need to get them back in the squad.

"Richard Pacquette has also been back in training, so I need to move some players about."

Bromley have found some form of late, beating both Dartford and Fisher Athletic in recent games.

Team Bath v Fisher Athletic

Team Bath play host to Fisher Athletic at Twerton Park on Saturday.

The Scholars are currently sitting 7th on the table with Fisher three places behind them. They will be looking to rediscover their form after going down to AFC Wimbledon last week. The Crescents rallied in the final period of the game and will be encouraged by the fact that they pulled back a goal.

The Fish may be in low spirits after the FA sanctioned a transfer embargo on the club in the week.

Welling v Bath City

Welling will hope to see off the visiting Bath City at Park View on Saturday.

Currently at 8th on the table Welling will be keen to continue their push for a place in the playoff zone with a win against the Romans, who sit two places below them on the table, albeit with a game in hand.

Bath will be seeking revenge for the 4-0 thrashing they received at the hands of Welling at Twerton Park back on August 9

Adie Britton has admitted the loss had a massive impact on his team's fortunes this season.

Worcester v Bognor Regis Town

12th placed Worcester play host to bottom of the log Bognor Regis Town at St. George's Lane.

The two teams met in the first game of the season with Worcester running out 2-1 winners after Simon Jackson had equalised for the Rocks.

They played again in the Setanta Shield and this time the Rocks ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Steffan Gaisie on 13 minutes and Joe Gatting on 20 minutes.

Worcester will be expected to win this one, with danger man Marco Adaggio, who has scored seven goals thus far in the season, representing their most obvious threat.