Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Blue Square South should see a near to full round of fixtures as the weather looks to be playing in our favour this weekend...

AFC Wimbledon v Bath City

AFC Wimbledon will view their clash with Bath City as a must-win fixture as they look to continue their charge towards the title.

The Dons will be without Kennedy Adjei, Luke Garrard, Lewis Taylor, Chris Sullivan, Belal Aiteouakrim, Dwane Lee and Andy Sambrook for the clash, while Chris Hussey is suspended.

That injury list could have a major say in the Dons' title ambitions, but manager Terry Brown is confident that the rest of his squad can step in and fill the void.

Brown told the South London Press: "We had a 10-day rest before the Hayes game and we've somehow managed to lose four players.

"If you take into account Luke Garrard, Lewis Taylor, Chris Sullivan and Belal Aiteouakrim, it's a horrendous list.

"It really is getting worrying.

"We've done hardly any training because of the weather, but they've just picked up little injuries in the games and haven't been able to shake them off."

City manager Adie Britton is hoping that the experience and motivation within his squad will help his side cause an upset at the Dons.

Britton told This Is Bath: "In lots of ways we have got players with good experience who rise to the challenge of these big games.

"The games at the likes of Thurrock or Bishop's Stortford are the ones I worry about, when you know there are only going to be 300 people there.

"There is no need to worry about motivation when you are playing in front of 3,000 people, we know we are going to get the focus and commitment required."

City goalkeeper Paul Evans will miss the clash due to a knee problem. Ali Gibb is also sidelined.

Gethin Jones is available for selection following a groin problem.

Bishop's Stortford v St Albans

St Albans travel to Woodside Park to face Bishop's Stortford without the services of star striker Lee Clarke.

Clarke has been the club's top scorer for the past five seasons and this injury comes as a major blow to the Saints' play-off hopes.

Saints manager Steve Castle told St Albans Review: "Lee Clarke is still waiting on a cartilage operation so that will be an ongoing thing, but I cannot see us getting much more football out of him between now and the end of the season."

Ryan Frater returns for the visitors after a hamstring problem, but Ben Martin and James Fisher are suspended.

Castle said of Saturday's opponents: "I think they will be a rejuvenated team. A good friend of mine, Martin Hayes, was sacked but they seem to have come out and got some good results of late, so it will be a tough game on a great surface.

"I live in Bishop's Stortford so I know a fair amount about what they are about and the players they have brought in. So it will be a stiff task for us. They are not lacking confidence so we will have to be at our best to get anything."

The Bishops are still not clear of the relegation zone and a victory on Saturday will go a long way in easing their fears of the drop.

Mark Simpson's men have struggled in defence this season and will need to improve in that area if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Chelmsford v Dorchester

Snow and sleet looks to have ruined manager Jeff King's chances of bringing in a new face ahead of the clash with Dorchester Town at Melbourne Stadium.

However, the management team are hopeful injury victims Jon Keeling and Spencer Knight are back in contention.

King had his eye on completing at least one new signing before Thursday night's training session, but the sudden downfall of snow rendered it difficult for many of City's existing or potential new players to travel

As a result, King and coach Glenn Pennyfather will now focus exclusively on the squad bouncing back from their first successive league defeats for over two years.

Chelmsford sit six points behind leaders AFC Wimbledon having played the same number of games and a victory over the Magpies is seen as vital to ensure the Clarets keep Terry Brown's Dons within their sights at the summit.

Mid-table Dorchester find themselves having to come through a tricky period in their season after much-publicised cuts in their available budget meant the departure of key players, including star striker Jamie Mudge.

Caretaker manager Brian O'Donnell, who is operating in this role for free after the cuts, secured a 3-0 win over struggling Fisher Athletic on Tuesday in his first match in charge.

However, that result was preceded by three straight defeats, including a 4-0 home thumping by Eastleigh.

Any trouble they are likely to cause Chelmsford's defence at the weekend is likely to involve Ryan Moss, who has 12 goals to his name.

Hampton & Richmond v Fisher Athletic

Keiran Knight looks set to make his debut for Hampton & Richmond when Fisher Athletic arrive at the Beveree Stadium.

The striker completed his move to the Beavers on Thursday evening and goes straight into the squad for Saturday.

Hampton & Richmond currently occupy a spot in the play-off places and a victory over Fisher will boost their chances of moving up a division.

Fisher are in a very different situation to that of their hosts, with relegation looking a distinct possibility.

The Fish are in desperate need of a victory as they are currently 13 points from safety.

The visitors have been poor in defence this season and an improvement at the back could see them climb up the table before the season comes to an end.

Hampton's official website has reported that the match looks set to go ahead without the need for a pitch inspection ahead of kick off.

Havant & Waterlooville v Hayes & Yeading

Havant & Waterlooville could do with a three-point haul against Hayes & Yeading on Saturday as they look to create a gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

The Hawks are just two points clear of the drop zone and are in danger of being sucked into the relegation mire.

Hayes & Yeading will hand a debut to new signing Dale Binns.

The midfielder is included in the travelling squad for the first time since his move this week.

United are in with a chance of reaching the play-offs and a victory at West Leigh Park will go a long way in boosting the confidence within the squad.

Both teams have struggled recently in the league so expect a tight encounter with both sides wary of making mistakes.

Newport County v Maidenhead United

Newport County and Maidenhead United meet in a clash of the play-off hopefuls at the Newport Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Exiles manager Dean Holdsworth can see the importance of this fixture and has called on the fans to act as the 12th man.

Holdsworth told the South Wales Argus: "We couldn't help but notice how flat the place was on Wednesday, it was a strange one because the fans have been right behind us recently.

"Obviously, there are financial implications of having such a low crowd, but my primary concern is that sometimes it is the fans who give the players a lift and we need that big time on Saturday.

"We have a few injury doubts and will have some new faces involved, so what we really need is the place to be buzzing and for our supporters to create some atmosphere as well."

Danny Rose, Craig Reid and Aaron Cook are all rated as doubts for the home side, while Ashley Vickers and Kevin Cooper are definitely out.

However, Kaid Mohamed and Nathan Davies both return to the squad after recovering from respective injuries.

Maidenhead are still very much in the play-off mix and a victory could lift them into the coveted promotion places.

Johnson Hippolyte's charges have won just two of their last six matches and will need to improve if they are to make a success of their season.

Richard Pacquette will once again be the danger man for the Magpies.

Team Bath v Basingstoke

Basingstoke travel to Team Bath knowing that a victory could lift them out of the relegation zone.

Dragons boss Frank Gray knows that his side have to start picking up more victories, but concedes that this clash is not going to be a walkover.

Gray told the Basingstoke Gazette: "It's a tough game because they are a big, strong, organised side.

"They are not in great form and we have got to approach the game looking to get something out of it.

"A win would be ideal but, if we come away from there not having lost, that would be good as well."

Sam Tucknott is in contention after returning from an injury, while Joe Dolan, Tom Williamson and Adam Aimable are all doubtful.

Team Bath are still in the hunt for a play-off position but will have to improve on two victories in their last six games if they hope to seal a spot.

The home side also have the advantage of having played less games than those around them, but it will come down to how they use those extra game, with winning the only option in the supporters' eyes.

Thurrock v Braintree Town

Thurrock and Braintree Town clash in a relegation battle at Ship Lane On Saturday afternoon.

Both sides have struggled this season and are in serious danger of dropping down a division.

The visitors are the form side going into the fixture having claimed 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six matches.

Thurrock have dropped down the table recently due to their poor form and a win at home this weekend is a must.

Both sets of supporters are in for a nervy afternoon, with both sides in desperate need of claiming the three points.

Weston-Super-Mare v Bognor Regis Town

Weston-Super-Mare will be looking to put their relegation fears behind them when they face bottom-of-the-table Bognor Regis Town.

In what is an extremely tight league this season, the Seagulls could still achieve a play-off place with a good run of form.

However, they will need to start winning both home and away, starting with Bognor on Saturday afternoon.

New signings Tomaso Parrinello and Jack Compton will both be available for selection following their transfers during the week.

The duo's arrival is seen as a massive boost for the Seagulls as they bring something different to the squad.

The Rocks are nearing relegation with each passing match.

Bognor have not won a match in their last six fixtures and are now 17 points adrift of safety.

A victory away at Weston will act as a massive boost for the squad's morale, but it is going to take a string of wins to get the Rocks away from danger.

Worcester City v Bromley

Worcester City tackle Bromley in a mid-table clash at St George's Lane on Saturday afternoon.

City manager Richard Dryden has called on his players to improve their mental state as they go in search of a home victory.

Dryden told Worcester News: "We are mentally weak at home, make mistakes and let things get to us.

"Now we have got to be strong and dictate games and dig in for 90 minutes to try and get a win.

"It's just a mental thing now, the atmosphere at home is different to away games where there is no pressure.

"But I want players at the club who can take pressure, it's not as if all of them are being slated by the crowd."

Shabir Khan should be fit enough to feature.

Jamie Price is currently serving a suspension and misses out, while Matt Dinsmore misses out through injury.

Graham Ward is rated as a doubt with a calf problem, while Gary Walker, Jon Richardson and Craig Wilding are also rated as doubts.

A victory for the home side would see them achieve a league double over the visitors, City's second of the season after inflicting that statistic on St Albans.

The Lillywhites are still in with a chance of claiming a place in the play-offs.

However, it is going to be a tough task given the number of teams around them with the same goal in mind.

Bromley's form of late has been inconsistent, with seven points picked up from their last six matches.

With both sides going into the clash with similar goals in mind it should be a fascinating clash with both teams keen on attacking the opposition goal.