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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

League leaders Newport County travel to St Albans City on Saturday afternoon, while high-flying Dover Athletic take on rock-bottom Weymouth at the Wessex Stadium.

Fifth-placed Bishop's Stortford prepare for the visit of seventh-placed Havant and Waterlooville to Woodside Park, with both sides looking to close the gap on the league leaders.

The Bishops are without skipper Paul Goodacre after agreeing to his request to quit the club this week.

Also departing Woodside Park is striker Danny Harris, who has joined Ryman League premier division leaders Dartford on dual registration forms.

Left-back Mark Wright has also left the club, meaning manager Mark Simpson will have to make a number of changes to his defensive line-up.

Havant and Waterlooville boss Shaun Gale is boosted by the return of top scorer Manny Williams for Saturday's showdown.

Fellow striker Steve Hutchings is also expected to return after recovering from illness, but striker Ivan Forbes is expected to miss out as he is short on match fitness.

Full-back Jake Newton is expected to recover from a back injury in time for the clash.

Robbie Garvey's Braintree Town play host to mid-table Staines Town at Cressing Road Stadium with a number of new signings poised to make their respective debuts.

Garvey has signed West Ham United midfielder Daniel Emmanuel and 24-year-old defender Paul Goodacre from league rivals Bishop's Stortford.

The Iron boss is also hoping to have a third unnamed player registered in time for the encounter.

Staines Town will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after playing to a 1-1 draw at strugglers Lewes recently.

Chelmsford City hope to get back on track in the Blue Square South after successive defeats diluted by a mini-FA Cup run.

Central defender Ben Martin is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury, while striker Danny Hockton is also unlikely to feature as he begins his recovery from a groin strain.

Midfielder Ollie Berquez's long-term foot troubles will also continue to keep him out while a couple face late fitness tests.

Head coach Glenn Pennyfather is unsure of what to expect from managerless Welling United at Melbourne Stadium this weekend.

He told the club's official website: "It all depends how their players react to the news. Obviously they've been doing something wrong up until now but if they stay positive, which they should do, then we will see what happens.

"If they have a new manager in place before we play them then it really will be game on! However, we've got our own agenda to concern ourselves with as that's their business.

"We want to take the positivity from last Saturday's result and go on a run of winning games. Wins breed more confidence so we have to produce and move in the right direction."

Welling United assistant manager Lee Protheroe will take charge of first-team affairs following the departure of manager Andy Ford at the start of the week.

The Wings currently find themselves hovering dangerously close to the dreaded relegation zone with 11 points from 12 fixtures.

Thurrock head into Saturday's clash against Dorchester Town on the back of five straight wins in all competitions.

And the Fleet will be targeting more of the same as they look to close the gap on league leaders Newport County, who they currently trail by just three points.

The Magpies, meanwhile, have suffered six defeats from six on their travels this season and will be looking to turn around their alarming string of results on Saturday.

Assistant-boss Ashley Vickers will serve the final game of a three-match ban, while Ryan Moss returns to contention after a three-game ban of his own.

Ian Selley faces a late fitness check as he looks to shrug off an ankle injury in time for Saturday's encounter.

Vickers told the Dorset Echo: "Mossy is back from suspension, which is good, but we'll have to see what the gaffer decides as Matt Groves and Phil Walsh have been doing well lately.

"Selley's still struggling a bit while Kevin Hill is still easing himself back in."

Woking caretaker manager Ian Hutchinson takes charge for his first game since the resignation of manager Matty Hale last Saturday evening.

New signing Josh Llewellyn is poised to make his debut, while defender David Obaze could make a welcome return to the starting line-up.

However, Andy Harris remains sidelined with a knee injury, while skipper Kyle Critchell (ankle) and Martin Slocombe (knee) are also expected to miss out.

Matt Bound is only expected to make a return in mid-November.

Hale is still at the club and will be available to feature as a player.

Hutchinson told the Dorset Echo: "Josh Llewellyn could feature as could David Obaze who is a real presence and can be useful from set-pieces.

"He's been struggling to get to games but I think there's a supporter who lives not too far away that's offered to drive him, and that just shows how much everyone is helping the cause.

"Andy is out and Martin Slocombe has a knee problem. Kyle's ankle is a bit sore so we'll have to see how he is but Matt Bound won't be available until after November 6 due to work commitments.

"I'm hoping to have another chat with Matty today to see how he feels about playing but I know I desperately want him involved."

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler is targeting a return to the top of Blue Square South when his side take on Weymouth at Wessex Stadium.

He told Kent Online: "There's loads going on at Weymouth. But we know what can happen in these situations.

"We were disappointing in the first half against Welling and I made it clear to the players at half-time that it wasn't good enough.

"But I got a response from them in the second half, we played at a much higher tempo and finished good winners."

Saturday's Blue Square South Fixtures:

Bath City v Basingstoke

Bishop's Stortford v Havant and Waterlooville

Braintree Town v Staines Town

Bromley v Woking

Chelmsford v Welling

Eastleigh v Maidenhead Utd

Hampton & Richmond v Worcester

St Albans v Newport County

Thurrock v Dorchester

Weston-Super-Mare v Lewes

Weymouth v Dover