E-mail Article Print this story

Related Links

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

League leaders Chelmsford will be keen to hold onto their top spot this weekend while while second-placed AFC Wimbledon will want to stay hot on their heels and even pin their hopes on bridging the gap.

AFC Wimbledon v Braintree Town

The fierce rivalry between Braintree Town and AFC Wimbledon will be re-ignited on Saturday when the Irons travel to Kingsmeadow.

Chris Sullivan traded Cressing Road for Kingsmeadow during the summer and with the Dons currently in second place on the Blue Square South table there'll be no favours when the two Essex neighbours meet on the weekend.

Excitement is running high in both dressing rooms and Town's player/manager Bradley Quinton is raring to go.

"It's a game that everybody wants to be playing in," he told TheChronicle on Wednesday.

"We're pumped up for it and there should be a big crowd for the match. We're playing really well at the moment and we're not afraid to take on anyone.

"We'll be going there to get points for us and won't be worrying about Chelmsford City."

Braintree have only lost one of their last seven games and currently boast an unbeaten run of four games following their 1-1 draw at home to Eastleigh.

The Dons have found a deadly strike force in Jon Main and Danny Kedwell and the duo are now up to thirty two goals between them this season,

Braintree aren't short of goals, with three players in the league's top twenty scorers chart. Their top scorer Danny Hockton has got nine, Gareth Williams has eight and Sean Marks seven.

Bath City v St Albans

St Albans take the long trip to Bath City on the weekend hoping to end their run of poor form and prevent their play-off hopes from disappearing before their eyes.

The Saints have managed a mere three points from seven games since they last churned out a victory while City have collected a staggering sixteen points in six games and sit one spot above their visitors with two games in hand.

Dave Gilroy has been in good scoring form for City, finding the back of the net three times in his last three appearances and collecting the Blue Square South player of the Month gong in December.

Gary Cohen will sit out to complete his three-match suspension meaning a gap in the Saint's attack and youngster Danny Charge could be handed a chance after impressing during his debut by scoring against Bromley.

Lee Clarke will also miss out after aggravating a knee injury during training on Monday. The midfielder has been struggling with a cartilage problem for the last couple of months and is set to be on the casualty list for a lengthy time after the latest setback.

It's expected that Gethin Jones and Matt Coupe will overcome injury while veteran midfielder Ali Gibb will fancy his chances after coming from the bench to deliver a good performance at Hayes & Yeading.

Bishop's Stortford v Maidenhead United

Bishop's Stortford will be eyeing the three points which could lift them away from the relegation zone when they host 6th place Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Richard Pacquette has been in prolific form for the Magpies this season, scoring 13 goals thus far.

Bishops beat Welling United last weekend and will be keen to build on this form while the Magpies will be looking to bounce back from their 0-4 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Maidenhead recently lost defender Narada Bernard to Bishops and the player is likely to feature in the game against his former club on Saturday.

Neither side has reported any injuries and thus have full squads to choose from.

Bognor Regis Town v Hayes & Yeading

Bognor Regis Town will be hoping to have secured the services of yet another recruit before they host Hayes & Yeading United at Nyewood Lane on Saturday.

The Rocks have only won two games this season while United boast a nifty tally of even wins.

Bognor caretaker boss Darin Killpartrick will be eyeing a repeat of last season's theatrics when the Rocks comprehensively beat United at the Lane and the mentor has vowed that his side will produce an attractive game.

"We'll get the ball down, pass and move and try to play attractive football," Killpatrick told the BognorRegisObserver.

Midfielder Carl Pettefer was released this week in an attempt to reduce the wage bill with Jack Smith and James Crane joining the crew at Nyewood Lane.

"It's purely for financial reasons," the mentor added.

"Carl's been a pleasure to work with - professional all the way - and we wish him well in getting fixed up with another club. It's the way things are at the moment."

Killpartrick has a full, fit squad apart from midfielder James Fraser, who will be out for two to three weeks with a knee problem and there are no reported injuries from United boss Garry Haylock.

Chelmsford v Welling

Chelmsford City will host Welling United on the weekend and the Clarets will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Blue Square South table.

Chelmsford have suffered the wrath of a flu-type bug since December but reasonable levels of health seems to be returning in the dressing room which now includes a new face of former Football League calibre in the shape of ex-Leicester City and Southend United striker Lawrie Dudfield.

Welling are eyeing a play off spot and gave the Clarets a rough ride in the reverse fixture before Christmas, which City eventually won 3-1.

They drew 1-1 at home to fellow contenders Team Bath on Tuesday night after suffering a surprise 3-1 defeat to Bishop's Stortford at Park View Lane last Saturday.

With the prolific Charlie Sheringham up-front, and a defence that concedes less than a goal a game on the road, the Wings will provide King's men with a prominent test.

Eastleigh v Team Bath

Team Bath will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses and return to winning ways when they travel to the Silverlake Stadium to play Eastleigh on Saturday.

The Spitfires will be keen to close in on third spot with the full three points and striker Matt Groves will be looking to add to his six goals of the season.

The two teams met last year in November with Eastleigh claiming a comfortable victory over the students but Steve Abbott has been in firing form and the midfielder could cause some trouble for the Spitfires' defence.

The hosts recently recruited Ashley Carew from League Two side Barnet and the midfielder is expected to feature in Saturday's clash.

Hampton & Richmond v Thurrock

Thurrock will make the trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday in search of three points to help them climb up the Blue Square South table.

The Beavers have been flying high this season and have kept their fingers in the playoffs following their third place finish last season.

Hampton & Richmond currently sit third in the table on vastly superior goal difference over Eastleigh and would be keen to extend their run of nine games unbeaten following their 2-0 victory over Team Bath on Saturday.

Back in September, the Ship Lane match produced a 3-3 result as well as Thurrock's first point of the season.

The Fleet will be keen to recover from their defeat to Weston-Super-Mare and would be looking to build on flashes of brilliance such as Kenny Beaney's free kick, Mark Wright's cross onto David Bryant's head and Fola Orilonishe's box-to-box run coupled with a sturdy defence and team work.

Newport County v Basingstoke

Basingstoke Town boss Frank Gray has hinted that he might make some tactical changes to his goal-shy side.

The Dragons played to a 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Bognor last weekend and have managed to find the back of the net only twice in their last five Blue Square South outings.

On the positive side though, Basingstoke have had a solid defence, conceding only two goals in their last six games but Gray will be keen to end the goal draught when his team travel to the Newport stadium on Saturday.

"We are difficult to break down but we need to create a bit more in the final third," the Town manager told TheHampshireChronicle.

"If we can do that, we should start scoring more goals.

"I have got a few players champing at the bit so I will have a look at changing one or two things but I need to see what the best options are."

"Scoring is the main thing though, and as long as we are scoring and winning games, I don't really mind where the goals come from."

Sam Tucknott will miss out due to an ankle injury while Gray is hoping midfielder Tom Hateley and striker Allan Tait will have their loan deals extended in time for Saturday's trip.

The Exiles recently added Kaid Mohamed to their strike force and Gray is aware that Saturday's game will be a tough one as Newport are in positive form and mood after going four games unbeaten.

"We will go into the match trying to win the game and get all three points," Gray added

"If we get a draw, that's a reasonable result, but we will not go into the game with that intention. Newport are in good form and while we are expecting another tough game, we are looking forward to the challenge."

Weston-Super-Mare v Fisher Athletic

Weston-super-Mare will be eyeing their second consecutive win when they host Fisher Athletic at the Woodspring Stadium on Saturday.

A win could propel the Seagulls safely away from the relegation zone and club boss Andy Gurney has already revealed that the next two games will be vital for his team.

The mentor is confident that his side can salvage their season

"With the three recent signings we've made our squad is much stronger and I'm sure we can cause Fisher lots of problems," Gurney told The Weston & Somerset Mercury.

"They will come here and fight, but if we apply ourselves and are mentally tough we should pick up points.

The Martyrs could field two former Seagulls - Ludovic Quistin and Cedric Abraham - who were both released in December as part of Andy Gurney's revamp campaign.

Fisher have lost five out of five matches while conceding 15 goals while the Seagulls have lost three out of five and conceded only six.

Worcester v Havant and Waterlooville

Worcester City will host Havant and Waterlooville at St George's Lane on Saturday and Dragons boss Richard Dryden is keeping a cool head about his side's goal drought.

City will be keen to do the double over the Hawks despite only having collected one point in their last three league outings.

Dryden took positives from his side's 0-0 at home against Newport County on Monday and the mentor reckons it's just a matter of time before the team's firepower is ignited.

"I think attacking wise the last two performances have been pretty good and to cap it all off on Monday we kept a clean sheet," the boss told TheWorcesterStandard.

"We looked quite solid and really good going forward, all we need to do is to start putting the ball in the net.

"The important thing is we are creating chances. The way we started against Newport I thought we would score some goals but again it's either the final ball which needs a little bit more quality or the finish.

"But the lads are bubbly. I think the clean sheet was a bit of a boost for them and even just getting a point so hopefully we can progress on that."

Dryden has hailed City's 2-0 victory at Havant back in October as one of their best performances this season and he'd be delighted should the Dragons be able to re-produce this performance.

"They are a very physical side and we have to stand up to that but if we can play with the same pace we have shown and find our shooting boots we can pull something off," said Dryden.

Gary Walker, Graham Ward, Marco Adaggio, Shabir Khan and Craig Wilding all suffered a few niggles during Monday's game but Dryden is confident most of them will be able to return for Saturday's clash.

Bromley v Dorchester

Dorchester Town will take the trip to Bromley on Saturday and both teams will be pining for the three points.

The Magpies will be feeling confident following two impressive displays against AFC Wimbledon and Worcester City respectively - taking four points in the process.

Dorchester are 11 points adrift of the play-offs and manager Shaun Brooks is determined to see his side climb up the Blue Square South table but insists he'll but his charges' safety first.

"We're getting closer to what's needed to stay in this division," Brooks told the DorsetEcho.

"There are uncertainties regarding finances at some clubs but if you get between 40 and 45 points that should be enough.

"Surviving is the first aim and we need to build on what we've got. We've still got all the players which is fantastic. I'm a little surprised there's been no more interest as we've got some good players at the club. We've had a few enquiries but nothing concrete and I suppose that no news is good news as far as I'm concerned.

"We've got competition for places so it's all guns blazing in a bid to pick up as many points as we can, retain our place in the division and then try to climb the table as high as we can."

Ali Chaaban has returned for Bromley after spending the last few months recovering from a summer knee operation and the Lilywhites will be raring to go after their thrilling nine-goal game at St Albans last weekend.