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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

The Blue Square South has been hit by the harsh weather. Come this way to find out which games are going ahead...

Bognor Regis Town v Basingstoke

Bognor Regis Town are in desperate need of a victory when they entertain Basingstoke at Nyewood Lane.

The Rocks have struggled this season and remain rooted to the foot of the table with just 10 points.

Despite all the lows this season, manager Darin Killpartrick is in an upbeat mood and is looking forward to playing in front of the club's supporters.

He told the Bognor Regis Observer: "We're excited about Saturday and looking forward to another chance to play in front of our own fans, who have not seen us win often enough at Nyewood Lane this season.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on players by talking about how many points we need or looking too closely at the table, but it's fair to say we are going into every game with a winning mentality.

"This is a winnable game - any game in this league is.

"We have to get the players fully focused on what we want them to do. If they make mistakes, we will stand by them and help them put them right.

"I will probably look at the league table in the middle of March but not before then. But obviously this is a game we want to win."

Louie Castles, Scott Chamberlain and Tom Clarke have all moved on and will not be available for selection.

However, the Rocks are hoping that Brighton winger Steven Brinkhurst will bring a winning mentality to the squad.

Basingstoke Town manager Frank Gray is confident that his side can avoid the drop. However, he does not see Saturday's clash as a must-win fixture.

Gray told the Basingstoke Gazette: "Other teams are getting dragged into it, which is good.

"Bishop's Stortford and Newport have picked up but Dorchester are on a bad run and could be sucked into trouble, while Weston-super-Mare and Havant will be looking over their shoulders.

"We are looking to close the gap as soon as we can but Saturday is not necessarily a must-win game.

"There will be a lot of opportunities as there is a long way to go but we want to keep our run going and, if we keep playing as we have been, the gap will close."

Dragons defender Joe Dolan and midfielder Tom Williamson are both rated as doubts for the fixture due to respective injuries.

Sam Tucknott and Jason Bristow will not feature as they are ruled out by injury.

Braintree Town v Worcester City

Braintree Town entertain Worcester City in a mid-table battle at Cressing Road on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors have a whole host of problems to contend with.

Graham Ward looks set to lose his ever-present record this season due to a hamstring problem.

Shabir Khan, Gary Walker and Jon Richardson are all doubtful ahead of kick-off, while Dave Bampton looks set to miss out.

Despite all of the injury problems, City boss Richard Dryden is hoping for the best after a disappointing result last weekend.

Dryden told the Worcester News: "We will go to Braintree disappointed after last Saturday but hopefully use it as a bit of reverse psychology and get another away win.

"We want the game on whether we have got a fully-fit squad or not."

Braintree have had an inconsistent season so far and will look to their home matches if they are to realise their play-off dreams.

The Irons are on of the form sides in the Blue Square South at the moment and manager Bradley Quinton will be hoping for that to continue.

Bromley v Bishop's Stortford

Bromley will be looking for the three points when they play host to Bishop's Stortford at Hayes Lane.

The Lillywhites are still in with a chance of reaching the play-offs and a victory on Saturday will go a long way in boosting the squad ahead of the run-in.

Warren McBean has been the star performer for Bromley this season and his goals will be vital if the Lillywhites are to realise their Blue Square Premier ambitions.

Bishop's Stortford are still lingering above the relegation zone, although they do hold a six-point lead over Basingstoke in 20th spot.

The Bishops are currently on an inconsistent run of form having won three and lost three of their last six.

That sort of form should see them avoid the drop, but a victory on Saturday would be seen as a massive boost considering their opponent's league position.

Dorchester v Havant and Waterlooville

Dorchester have added Brian O'Donnell to their coaching staff ahead of the clash with Havant and Waterlooville.

O'Donnell arrives to assist the caretaker-bosses already at the club.

Roy O'Brien and Danny Clay have also arrived ahead of the match in a bid to boost the Magpies' squad.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell told the Dorset Echo: "They're both coming back which is excellent news.

"They were advised to look for other clubs, which we were going to help them with, but circumstances have changed and we've made a saving on other wages so I asked them back and they've agreed to come back."

Ryan Moss may return for the clash, while Jon Docker may make an appearance for the first time since April last year.

Wes Fogden will return to his old employers with his new club Havant and Waterlooville.

However, Charlie Henry, Craig Watkins and Jack Compton are all ruled out of the match for the Hawks.

Goalkeeper Kevin Scriven will require a late fitness test.

Eastleigh v Chelmsford

"A strong, uncompromising side" is what the Chelmsford City management team are expecting of this weekend's opponents, fourth-placed Eastleigh, as they look to return to form and close the three-point gap behind leaders A.F.C. Wimbledon at the Silverlake Stadium.

The Clarets hope to bounce back immediately after last Saturday's defeat in the battle of the top two in Surrey, and head coach Glenn Pennyfather thinks he knows what sort of challenge this week's Hampshire opposition will provide, saying: "We know all about Eastleigh and we're aware that Ian Baird has put together a strong, uncompromising side.

"They're on a strong run at the moment and have been very consistent which reflects in their league position."

Injury doubts linger over midfielders Spencer Knight (hamstring) and Jon Keeling (calf) but Ricky Holmes returns to action for this game after sitting out the Dons fixture on a one-game suspension.

"It's great to have Ricky back as you obviously want all your players to be fit and available," highlighted Glenn.

"The majority of the squad is ready for selection and Greg Oates is getting nearer to full fitness all the time."

The Spitfires are still in with a chance of winning the title as they sit just nine points off top.

Eastleigh have picked up 10 points from their last six matches, a statistic which they are going to need to improve on if they are to stay in the play-off positions.

Fisher P-P Bath City

Postponed due to waterlogged pitch.

Hampton & Richmond v Newport County

Hampton & Richmond have the chance to close in on the leaders when Newport County arrive at the Beveree Stadium.

The Beavers have had a great season so far and will be looking to push on to make sure they are in with a shout of promotion - be it automatic or via the play-offs.

Ben Wright, who has been the Beavers main man in attack this season, has left the club, leaving a major hole in attack.

The Exiles currently sit eleven points off the play-off places, knowing that a string of victories could lift them to within reach of the coveted places.

Craig Reid will be looking to push on in the race for the golden boot, although it is going to be a massive task to reel in AFC Wimbledon's Jon Main.

Hayes & Yeading P-P Weston-Super-Mare

Postponed due to unplayable pitch.

Maidenhead United v Thurrock

Maidenhead United will be hoping to sneak their way into the play-off places when they entertain Thurrock on Saturday.

Both sides have struggled on the form table of late, with the teams dropping valuable points along the way.

United have also struggled to draw the crowds this season despite their play-off charge, with an average of just 462 fans per match.

Thurrock are languishing above the relegation zone at the moment and a victory on Saturday will come as a major relief to all involved at the club.

Both teams have struggled in defence this campaign, so expect a few goals in this encounter.

St Albans v AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of the table when they travel to mid-table St Albans on Saturday afternoon.

The match looks set to be called off after a spokesman told the Dons' website: "We've still got six inches of snow on the pitch.

"It did melt a bit over the last couple of days but the terraces are still covered.

"We haven't been able to prepare the pitch as we normally would, so it's in the lap of the gods.

"It's going to be difficult but we're all desperate for the game to go ahead if possible."

The Saints currently occupy 13th place with 33 points, while the Dons are in first place with 59 points.

Team Bath v Welling United

Welling United will hope to keep their place in the play-off positions when they travel to Team Bath on Saturday.

Both sides have been impressive this season and a spot in the play-offs should be their minimum goal going into the final matches of the season.

Four points separate the two teams going into this clash, so expect a tight encounter.

Charlie Sheringham has been a revelation this season for Welling and he will be hoping that his goalscoring run continues.

Steve Abbott has been Team Bath's main hitman, netting on eight occasions.