Saturday's Blue Square North preview

League leaders Harrogate Town will be keen to consolodate their position while Hyde and Southport lead the chasing pack.

Barrow v Kettering

Kettering travel Barrow on the back of a six match unbeaten run that sees them nestling comfortably in fourth spot on the Blue Square North table, a mere three points behind league leaders Harrogate Town. The Poppies have been scoring freely of late and Barrow will have their work cut out if they're to avoid a heavy defeat. History also favours the visitors, who haven't lost to Barrow home or away since December 2005.

Blyth Spartans v Nuneaton

The Spartans are in the midst of a mini-crisis, having suffered four defeats on the trot. They face a Nuneaton side who have hit some fantastic form after stuttering in the early parts of the season.

Borough have claimed an extraordinary 20 points from their last eight matches, a statistic that has seen them rocket up the Blue Square North table. Manager Kevin Wilkin has secured the services of Nigerian goalkeeper Ademola Bankole who has played for Crewe, MK Dons and Brentford. He will make his debut against Blyth Spartans as regular goalkeeper Darren Acton is suspended.

Gainsborough v Workington

Gainsborough boss Geoff Girdlestone has an almost fully fit squad to choose from.

Danny Wood suffered a hamstring injury during the Blyth FA Trophy replay but is likely to be fit in time for the game against Workington.

Hinckley Utd v Alfreton Town

Alfreton Town will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games when they visit Hinckley United on Saturday.

Kris Bowler sits the game out with a one match suspension after accruing five bookings. Hinckley are struggling and find themselves second from bottom on the Blue Square North table but two wins from their last three matches will have buoyed the side.

Hucknall v Tamworth

Only three points seperate Hucknall and Tamworth on the Blue Square North table so this game could become a real six-pointer for Tamworth. For the trip to Watnall Road, Hucknall boss Gary Mills will be without the services of David Oldfield who made his one and only appearance in midfield for The Lambs against Leigh having joined Bracknell Town as manager earlier this week.

Chris Nurse starts his second suspension of the month - this time for two games - while late fitness tests will decide whether Dave Bampton and Craig McAughtrie are available. Luke Edwards, after signing forms with TFC on Thursday, is expected to take a place in the squad for the game.

Leigh RMI v AFC Telford

AFC Telford have never visited Hilton Park but have been very impressive in their first ever season in the Blue Square North, finding themselves in fifth position after defeating Blyth Spartans 3-1 last weekend. Leigh RMI have had a disastrous start to the season and currently lie rock-bottom on the league table.

Redditch v Hyde

High flying Hyde make the trip to Redditch knowing that three points could push them to the top of the Blue square North table, provided league leaders Harrogate Town slip up against Southport.

Solihull Moors v Worcester

Moors'first choice keeper Matt Ghent was injured in the first half against Stalybridge so his replacement Adam Rachel stands by.

After keeper Danny McDonnel City's main injury worry is Mark Danks, who hobbled off against Barrow. Pressing to get back in the team will be Adam Webster, who has had the stitches out of his heel, Graham Ward and Adam Burley who missed last weekends game through injury and illness respectively.

City youth keeper Mike Wright returns from his training sessions with the England College squad to challenge Cameron Belford for the No1 shirt. Another loan signing, Kevin Spencer, will be hoping to keep his place in the back four.

Southport v Harrogate Town

This is a real top-of-the-table clash. The Sandgrounders sit just two points behind Town in the league table, having played one more game. Town will be aiming to make it a double against Southport, having taken 3 points from the meeting at Wetherby Road on Tuesday 23 October

Peter Davenport took a light training session on Friday morning while Port physio Steve Whitehall will will strive to ensure the availability of key Port players for the crucial six pointer versus Harrogate Town.

Stalybridge Celtic v Burscough

Buoyed from their mid week extra time victory over Bamber Bridge, Liam Watson takes his Linnets side to Tameside were they face Stalybridge Celtic at their Bower Fold home in a Blue Square North fixture.

Earlier in the season the sides met in what was Burscough's first ever home game in the Blue Square North and an impressive looking Celtic side took the points with a 2-0 victory.

Burscough have found their feet in the league since that encounter and currently lie 7th in the league table, three points ahead of Celtic.

Vauxhall Motors v Boston United

Striker Jon Froggatt is back in contention as Boston United prepare to face Vauxhall Motors at Rivacre Park on Saturday. On-loan goalkeeper Curtis Aspden will be handed his Pilgrims' debut in the absence of Lee Crockett (thigh), while a host of other players will also be missing, with Stewart Talbot (calf), David Galbraith (hamstring), Adam Smith (ankle) and Jon Rowan (suspension) all sidelined.

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