Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

League leaders AFC Wimbledon and second-placed Chelmsford City square off at Kingsmeadow on Saturday while Welling United play host to Maidenhead United.

AFC Wimbledon v Chelmsford

Terry Brown's AFC Wimbledon prepare for the visit of Chelmsford City on Saturday and this encounter promises to be a closely contested affair with both sides intent on collecting all three points.

Brown told his club's official website: "Saturday's game against Chelmsford has all the ingredients for one of the most exciting games of the season.

"The fact that we have had to win eight of our last nine games to catch up with Chelmsford is testimony to how good a side they are.

"I think there will be very little to choose between the sides and I hope that our fantastic recent form going into the game will give us the impetus to exact a little bit of revenge for last year's encounters.

"Whatever happens on the day there will still be 45 points to play for after the game. The title certainly won't be decided at Kingsmeadow on Saturday but whichever side is victorious on the day, they will feel they have gained some psychological advantage.

"As far as the team is concerned we have a very strong side available to us and I am in the pleasant position of having to make some very difficult decisions as regards the starting eleven.

"I am pleased to say that the current run has seen nearly everybody in the squad come in to perform very well, whatever side I've picked over the last six weeks. There has been very little to choose between anyone in our squad."

Clarets coach Glenn Pennyfather has intimated his team have no plans to play for a point when they visit the Dons, claiming: "We won't be going there and sitting back."

Both teams have fifty-six points at the top of the table, nine clear of nearest rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough, and goal difference is all that separates Jeff King's City from Terry Brown's Wombles.

Despite the lack of room for manoeuvre, however, Pennyfather states the visitors will treat this like any other game: "We've told our players to just go out and play as we can by imposing ourselves on the game and passing the ball.

"The squad is fit and raring to go and everyone is capable of playing. This is an important game, but by no means the 'be all and end all' as every game in this division is tough."

Chelmsford have a brilliant record against the Don's in all competitions, losing just twice and recording several notable victories including successive 1-0 away wins and 3-2 home victories in the league. Wimbledon, however, have been prolific up front this season as their dual strike force of Jon Main and Danny Kedwell surge through the Blue Square South top scorers' list, with Glenn explaining: "Kedwell and Main will be a threat up front as they compliment each other with differing qualities.

"It's our job to make sure we reduce the service to them. We also know the Claret Army will be out in force and both teams have noisy supporters so it will be a great atmosphere."

Ricky Holmes will be missing for the Clarets through suspension after recently picking-up his fifth caution, but otherwise the management team will have a nearly full squad to select from.

Basingstoke v Hayes & Yeading

Basingstoke Town will be targeting a rare back-to-back league victory when Hayes & Yeading United visit the Camrose on Saturday.

The Dragons last won two consecutive Blue Square South games in the middle of last January but will be looking to repeat the trick after recording a 2-0 victory over Bromley on Tuesday.

Manager Frank Gray told the Basingstoke Gazette: "It would be nice if this is the start of another unbeaten run but we have only lost once in nine home games, and that was against Wrexham, so it's not too bad.

"Results breed confidence. There is still a long way to go in the league but Tuesday was our first win of 2009, which was good, and it would be nice to get another win on Saturday."

Gray will have to make do without the services of knee injury victim Jason Bristow, while winger Sam Tucknott is not expected to feature after recently recovering from an ankle injury.

Midfielder Tom Hateley is unlikely to play any part in the fixture after spending the past week on trial at League Two outfit Barnet, with a view to joining them on loan.

Hayes & Yeading currently find themselves on the edge of the play-off places and a victory on Saturday could see them break into the promotion zone.

United have 41 points from 25 games, while Basingstoke sit in 20th place with 21 points from 24 games.

Bath City v Newport County

Bath City will be looking to re-ignite their push for a play-off berth when Newport County make the trip to Twerton Park on Saturday.

Manager Adie Britton has set his side a target of a minimum of 10 wins from their remaining 18 games and believes they can produce the goods if they fit.

Adam Connolly is a major doubt after picking up an injury in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Eastleigh, while Chris Holland is also doubtful after failing to last the 90 minutes on Tuesday night.

Britton told The Bath Chronicle: "We have 18 games left and I think we have got to win 10 or 11 of them to get in the play-offs.

"We are very much in the mix. We decided some time ago that we are not going to play games out for draws.

"We are going to go for it and so we're going to lose a few along the way.

"I don't see any reason why we cannot do it, as long as we have a full squad of players.

"That's the only thing that scares me and Lee Howells.

"In retrospect, Chris Holland shouldn't have played (against Eastleigh), he should probably have been rested."

Newport County have experienced a recent upturn in form which has seen them record five wins in their last six fixtures.

Manager Dean Holdsworth has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from, although Nathan Davies is not expected to start despite returning to contention this week.

Loanee Scott Rogers will not feature at all, as he is ineligible for the Blue Square South encounter.

Braintree Town v Bognor Regis Town

Braintree Town will be looking to close the gap on the play-off zone this weekend when Bognor Regis Town make the trip to Cressing Road Stadium.

Iron caretaker boss Brad Quinton will hand late fitness tests to Louis Riddle and Lee Burns after the duo picked up injuries at Fisher Athletic on Monday night.

Quinton is quietly confident his charges can mount a play-off charge and told the Braintree & Witham Times: "We're strong in all areas and it's a case of us getting there again.

"The squad is strong and the boys are playing with confidence."

Bognor Regis Town caretaker boss Darin Killpartrick will be hoping he can extend his side's unbeaten run to five games on Saturday.

Striker Steffan Gaisie has left the club this week, while Killpartrick has brought in midfield duo Patrick Cox and Scott Chamberlain.

Teenage wideman Stephen Brinkhurst has also been drafted in on a work experience deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Killpartrick told the Bognor Regis Observer: "We'd like to bring in another striker and probably one more player after that. Then I think we'll have enough.

"I've been delighted with how the lads have responded to Kevin Braybrook and I and we want them to continue in the same vein.

"We're going into every game with the aim of winning and keeping smiles on people's faces.

"I'm not looking at the table - I might look at it in a week or two."

Bromley v Hampton & Richmond

Mark Goldberg's Bromley prepare for the visit of Hampton & Richmond Borough to the Courage Stadium on Saturday as they look to cut the gap on the play-off zone.

However, they'll have to improve on Tuesday evening's showing which saw them suffer a 2-0 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Basingstoke.

Third-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough had a break from Blue Square South football in midweek but cruised to a 3-1 victory over Thurrock last Saturday.

The Beavers currently find themselves sitting in third place with 47 points from 25 fixtures.

Dorchester v Eastleigh

Managerless Dorchester Town prepare for the visit of high-flying Eastleigh to the Jewson Stadium after a week of upheaval.

Shaun Brooks made the decision to quit the club earlier in the week following the club's decision to axe defender Roy O'Brien.

And a further five players have been released on Friday in a bid to balance the books.

Jamie Mudge has returned to Tiverton Town, while Nathan Peprah-Annan, Danny Clay, Patrece Liburd and Helder Rodrigues have all been released.

Eastleigh boss Ian Baird will be looking for more of the same after steering his side to a 2-0 victory over in-form Bath City in midweek.

Centre-backs Tom Jordan and Aaron Martin netted both goals for the Wings.

Thurrock v Fisher Athletic

Thurrock will be looking to open a bigger gap on the dreaded drop zone when fellow strugglers Fisher Athletic visit Ship Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The Fleet recorded a 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Bognor Regis Town in midweek but have yet to record a victory since the turn of the New Year.

Manager Hakan Hayrettin is expected to hand a debut to striker Oliver Allen, who joined the club on Monday afternoon.

Fisher Athletic suffered their eighth straight league defeat at the hands of Braintree Town on Monday night and will be intent on making amends on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Dave Mehmet will have to make do without the services of Nicky Greene after the midfielder received a straight red card for a challenge during Monday night's game.

The Fish currently find themselves second-from-bottom with a total of 14 points from 25 fixtures.

Welling v Maidenhead Utd

Welling United can expect a stern test of the promotion credentials on Saturday afternoon when fellow play-off hopefuls Maidenhead United visit Park View Road.

The Wings are currently one position above their opponents, in fifth place, with 43 points from 26 games and a victory on the weekend would guarantee that they hold onto their play-off berth.

Welling picked up three points at St Albans City on Tuesday evening, with a Charlie Sheringham brace helping the Wings to victory in a five-goal thriller.

Maidenhead, meanwhile, will also be keen to extend their winning run after edging out Havant & Waterlooville in midweek.

Turkish striker Mustafa Tyriaki scored the solitary goal and is expected to keep his first-team berth at the expense of fellow forward Lee Newman, who was dropped to the bench on Tuesday.

The Magpies currently find themselves in sixth place with 42 points from 25 games.

Weston-S-Mare v St Albans

Weston-super-Mare will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend when St Albans City visit Woodspring Stadium.

The Seagulls saw their recent Blue Square South winning streak halted by Newport County in a closely contested affair in midweek.

In a further blow, 21-year-old Ashan Holgate suffered a suspected broken ankle in the same game and could well miss the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, St Albans City suffered their sixth defeat in nine league games on Tuesday night and will be keen to make amends on the weekend.

The Saints came close to snatching a draw with Welling but a brace by forward Charlie Sheringham ensured the Wings picked up all three points.

Worcester v Bishop's Stortford

Worcester City will be targeting more of the same when Bishop's Stortford make the trip to St George's Lane on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues will be in good spirits after their excellent 2-0 victory over promotion-chasing Team Bath in midweek lifted them to a mid-table berth.

Manager Richard Dryden will have to reshuffle his pack with Matt Dinsmore, Jon Richardson and Gary Walker joining Shabir Khan on the injury list.

John Curtis and Dave Bampton will face late fitness tests.

Stortford caretaker boss Mark Simpson has turned things around since taking over the reins at Woodside Park.

The Bishops have recorded a victory and a draw from their last two league encounters and they will be focused on further distancing themselves from an impending relegation scrap.

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that utility player Precious Koko and winger Dee Okojie have been released.

Winger Richard Howell has joined AFC Sudbury on loan for a month in a bid to gain full fitness.