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Blue Square South New Years Day Preview

New Years Day provides a full round of Blue Square South fixtures as all the teams look to kick off 2009 on a winning and celebratory note...

AFC Wimbledon v Fisher Athletic

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to close the gap on league leaders Chelmsford when they entertain Fisher Athletic on New Years Day.

The hosts will be the more confident of the sides after routing Dave Mehmet's charges 3-0 on Boxing Day.

Jon Main was the hero after his hat-trick and manager Terry Brown will expect him to continue finding the back of the net.

Reflecting on the previous encounter against the Fish and pondering the next game, the mentor told the club's official website: "Boxing Day's victory against Fisher Athletic has continued our great start to the Christmas period.

"Coupled with the game against Newport County, we have won two games, scored six goals and conceded none, and we couldn't have hoped to do better than that.

"Fisher put up a spirited performance with a very young side, and worked their socks off for manager, Dave Mehmet. Unless they can overturn the FA ban on registering new players they will have a struggle to survive. Hopefully they will not have too many new faces against us on New Years Day, and we look forward to an entertaining and open encounter.

"The two games over the New Year period come within two days of each other and therefore it will not only be a strain on our squad, but also the squads of all the other teams in Blue Square South. I shall be ensuring that everyone in my senior first team squad gets a run out in the next two games. It is vitally important that all the senior squad members are match-fit as we come into the New Year."

Defender Luke Garrard will definitely not feature as he recovers from his knee operation, with midfielder Sam Hatton expected to continue deputising for him.

Meanwhile, Brown is planning to sign midfielder Dwane Lee, but it is unlikely the deal will be completed in time for him to play a part in Thursday's encounter.

The visitors will need to pick themselves up after the defeat and get the New Year off to a good start if they are to avoid the dreaded drop zone.

There have been no reported injury concerns for the Fish and Mehmet is expected to field a strong squad.

Bishop's Stortford v Braintree Town

Bishop's Stortford will hope to scupper any chance Braintree Town have of recording a festive double at Cressing Road Stadium.

Midfielder Louis Riddle scored both the goals as the Iron cruised to a 2-0 Boxing Day win and the hosts will have a hard time keeping him at bay.

But Bishops caretaker manager Mark Simpson knows that three points will ease their relegation fears and he is expected to play loanee Grant Cooper at the heart of his defence again.

Town's caretaker manager Bradley Quinton is a confident mood ahead of the encounter and told This Is Total Essex: "I felt we deserved the win because we were in charge and controlled most of the game.

"We should have scored more goals because we had the chances but the lads did well and there's real confidence in the side.

"Another three points this Saturday will push us into the top half of the table."

Chelmsford City v Thurrock

League leaders Chelmsford City will be eager to kick 2009 off in fine style when Thurrock make the reverse trip to Melbourne Stadium.

The Clarets managed to claim a slender 1-0 victory over their visitors at Ship Lane on Boxing Day, much to the delight of head coach Glenn Pennyfather.

He told the club's official website: "This was a tough place to come as Thurrock are an uncompromising side who are on good form.

"It wasn't the best pitch but we dug-in as a team, competing for every ball and earning the right to play.

"You have to win at these places if you want to be the champions and now we're going to focus on another battle on New Years Day."

The hosts are expected to continue with Justin Miller at right-back and Jeff Minton in midfield as they have both shaken of their flu.

The Fleet have an outside chance of making the play-offs if they can string together a run of wins, but they will be without captain Lee Flynn, who got a straight card in the Boxing Day clash.

Dorchester Town v Bath City

Defender Roy O'Brien is hoping Dorchester Town can put their Boxing Day defeat to Bath City behind them.

The Romans make the trip to the Avenue Stadium after ending the Magpies' five-match unbeaten run.

O'Brien is keen to extract revenge and is confident his team-mates can get back to winning ways.

He told the Dorset Echo: "To put together a run of five games like we did was fantastic and now we have to get back on the training ground, work hard and try and do the same again.

"We know we are capable of producing that and the last thing we should be doing is dwelling on this result too much.

"However, nobody likes conceding goals and we have been doing that a bit more of late and it is important we work on getting the balance right between defence and attack.

"Bath are our visitors on New Years Day and I am sure the lads will be wanting to put the record straight when that comes around."

Manager Shaun Brooks will welcome back Patrece Liburd and Mitchell Nicholson from suspension, while visiting boss Adie Britton could give Ali Gibb a run out as he is nearing full fitness following an ankle injury.

"Ali's training better all the time - every week he gets fitter and takes more whacks," he told This Is Bath.

"All the lads love him. He's a sensible pro who brings a lot to the dressing room and he will bring a lot to us on the pitch as well when the time is right."

Meanwhile, Sekani Simpson (knee) is set to remain on the sidelines.

Eastleigh v Basingstoke Town

Eastleigh will want to set the record straight when struggling Basingstoke Town make the New Years Day trip to the Silverlake Stadium.

The Dragons caused a massive upset against the high-flying Spitfires in a 1-0 Boxing Day win to add to an unbeaten run extending back to 15 November.

The result ended the Spitfires' five-game winning streak and saw them fall to third spot in the standings.

Ian Baird will be desperate to see his side bounce back and he has no new injury concerns.

Town on the other hand, are set to still be without centre-back Jason Bristow, who continues his rehabilitation from a knee operation.

The Dragons are still in the relegation zone and will be gunning for the much-needed three points.

Hampton & Richmond Boro v St Albans City

Promotion-chasing Hampton & Richmond Borough are keen to show off their promotion credentials when they welcome St Albans City to the Beveree Stadium.

Skipper Dean Wells knows January is a crucial month for the club and wants to get off to a winning start.

"January is a massive month for us," he told Your Local Guardian.

"People always get excited about the Christmas period, saying how important it is for clubs, but to be fair I think January is far bigger.

"We have some massive games, and by the end of January we should know if we can go for automatic promotion, make the play-offs or just be a mid-table side."

The Beavers and City shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day, a match which Wells believes they deserved to win.

"I think it was a case of two points dropped," he added.

"They were the better side in the first half but we came back strongly and created a lot more chances than them.

"I thought we certainly had the better of the game, and probably should have gone on to win."

Graham Harper will return for the hosts after serving a one-match suspension.

Meanwhile, the Saints will be without Gary Cohen, who got sent off in the fixture last Thursday.

Steve Castle will be hoping James Quilter will have shaken off his bout of flu, while Lee Clarke and Paul Hakim are expected to lead the line.

Havant & Waterlooville v Bognor Regis Town

Havant & Waterlooville have the chance to record a three-match unbeaten streak when rock-bottom Bognor Regis Town visit West Leigh Park on Thursday.

The Hawks will be in a confident mood after routing the Rocks 5-1 on Boxing Day, in what was their biggest win of the season thus far.

Manager Shaun Gale will be hoping for a repeat performance from his charges, while Mick Jenkins is disappointed he does not have the manpower to make any changes to his squad.

Speaking on the massive defeat, Jenkins told Portsmouth Today: "Too many (of the players) were found wanting.

"But I can't change the team when we go to their place. I've got no-one else to bring in.

"I looked at four of five injured Havant players sitting in the stand and thought all of them would walk into any squad in this league.

"That's what we're up against and we want our players to realise they, as well as us, the management, have to take responsibility for their decisions and their performances."

Maidenhead Utd v Hayes & Yeading

Maidenhead United have a host of injuries to contend with as they prepare to overcome play-off hopefuls Hayes & Yeading on New Years Day.

The Magpies lost the reverse encounter at Church Road on Boxing Day and subsequently lost Dominic Sterling and Ashley Smith through injury in the encounter.

Johnson Hippolyte will be sweating on the fitness of both players along with Lee Newman and Pat Sappleton, who are also on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Grant Cooper (shoulder) will begin his recuperation with a loan spell at former club Bishops Stortford and Woking's Manny Wiliams has left York Road following the end of his loan spell.

The visitors are expected to keep new boys Omari Coleman and Calum Botham in the squad for the clash, while boss Garry Haylock will be counting on leading goalscorer Josh Scott to capitalise on their chances.

Team Bath v Weston-Super-Mare

Team Bath head coach Andy Tillson is looking to condemn his former team-mate and Weston-Super-Mare boss Andy Gurney to another festive defeat.

The duo played together at Bristol Rovers and while the Scholars mentor wishes his old friend well, he is eager to do the double over the Seagulls.

"It was great to see Gurns get the job and hopefully he'll get it on a permanent basis," Tillson told This Is Bath.

"He could still play, of course, but he's concentrating on the management side and I'm sure he'll do well at it.

"You get wrapped up in the game when it's going on, but I'm sure we'll have a drink together after the New Years Day game and catch up. He's someone I've got an awful lot of time for.

"It's not ideal playing these matches back-to-back, but we've got off to a good start and would like to do equally as well in the 'second half' and take the three points in the home game."

The only concern for Team Bath is Dean Smith, who has been suffering with the flu, but he is expected to be fit.

Meanwhile, visiting boss Gurney is confident positive results lie just around the corner for the Seagulls.

"I think that anybody who has been here today and in the two games previously can see that the lads are playing with a lot of commitment a lot of desire and a lot of effort but just not getting the rub of the Green a little bit at the moment," he told the Weston Mercury.

"We keep playing like that, we play like that again at their place on New Years Day, then I am sure that we will get the three points that we are after.

"We have just got to keep going the way that we are and if we do that then I am sure that it will turn for us."

Mike Green (flu) is a doubt and Ben Willshire is on standby to deputise.

Welling United v Bromley

Welling United will be keen to usher in the New Year in the top five of the Blue Square South standings when they entertain Bromley.

The Wings possess the momentum going into the encounter as they netted late on to secure a 3-1 win over the Ravens on Boxing Day.

Manager Andy Ford believes a killer instinct in front of goal will help guarantee his side a win and an eventual play-off place.

"We need to try and get that kind of quality earlier in games, although our second-half performance at Bromley was a vast improvement of late," he told Kent Online.

"I asked for a touch of quality at half-time - that was the only thing that was going to win the game for us.

"It was a great goal from Charlie (Sheringham) and a great header by Tony (Sinclair), that's what I'm looking for more of now."

The mentor, who has no fresh injury or suspension worries, is wary of the treat posed by Bromley.

"It won't be easy as they will be coming out with something to prove," he added.

"It will be a completely different game and we've got to be on the ball from the first whistle."

Visiting boss Mark Goldberg will be hoping for an improved performance from his team, who were missing key duo Mark Corneille through suspension.

"The suspensions affected the strength of the team and we haven't been able to replace them to the extent we wanted to with the youngsters,"the manager told Braintree Times.

"Although we started well, they were able to wear us down and we have to make sure that when certain players aren't available we have to change things to become more solid."

Worcester City v Newport County

Worcester City right-back Graham Ward wants his side to start the New Year off on a winning note when they play host to Newport County.

The Loyals were pace setters during the early parts of the season, but have since dropped to a mid-table seating.

"We were flying at the start of the season and then the last 10 games we have been a bit up and down. If you had said we would be 12th at Christmas time I would have taken that with the resources we have got, especially with the budget having been cut," he told Worchester News.

"We have a game on New Years Day and one on Saturday and we need to pick up at least four points. I thought Newport were a poor team and in the second-half we could have scored a couple of goals and won the game so that was a couple of points dropped.

"If we are looking to do anything, this is the most important time of the year."

Ward will be watching from the sidelines on Thursday after picking up a hamstring injury.

Manager Richard Dryden is not too concerned though and added: "We've got a few young lads who can come in and fill the bench if we need to and Dave Bampton should hopefully be fit too."

County manager Dean Holdsworth, meanwhile, will without loan signings Paul Bignot and Josh Klein-Davies.

"It's a big blow to lose Paul and Josh," Holdsworth admitted to the South Wales Argus.

"I think we've looked a decent outfit in the last 12 games and we obviously need to keep quality players."

The mentor will still have Salisbury City pair Wayne Turk and Aaron Cook at his service after extending their spells until the end of January.