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Saturday's Blue Square North Preview

Blue Square North league leaders Southport take on second-placed Eastwood Town in the pick of the ties this weekend.

Only goal difference separates the two sides although the Sandgrounders have a game in hand over Town.

Liam Watson's side come into the match on the back of a 3-1 win over Vauxhall Motors, that propelled them to the top of the table, while Paul Cox's side beat Hyde 2-0 in their last outing.

Watson told the Southport Visiter: "Eastwood will be a really good test, but then every side in this league is and once you get to the top of the league everyone wants to knock you off there.

"I was not happy with the forwards (in the first half on Tuesday) but I think we had some good performances. I felt Matty McGinn could have given us more in the first half and up top, the forwards didn't hold the ball up. They were moaning about the service but Vauxhall's players had no service but were getting something out of it.

"I thought our lads were thinking all they had to do was just turn up to win but we have learnt in the last 18 months it is not that simple playing against Vauxhall."

Third-placed Stalybridge Celtic will be gunning for three points against lowly Hinckley, that could see them move back to the top of the league - if other results go their way. Subsequently, a loss for Celtic, could see them drop as low as fifth, it is that tight at the top.

The Knitters have endured an inconsistent season so far although they recently notched up a six game unbeaten streak and have only lost once at home this season. The hosts will be without James Mace, who is serving a suspension while Celtic may have to do without Dave Hankin, who missed the last game through injury.

Corby will be looking to continue their fine form when they travel to Farsley Celtic this weekend. The Steelmen have not lost in five outings and are just one point off the pace.

Boss Graham Drury looks set to include Sam Smith and Jack Defty into the starting line-up. Rushden & Diamonds youngster Smith has joined on a one-month deal while Defty returns from a spell with Southern League side AFC Sudbury.

He told NorthantsET: "Sam trained with us on Wednesday and he looked sharp and is eager to get out there and play some games. We also have Jack back with us and he has been in devastating form with 13 goals in 11 appearances for Sudbury."

Corby must make due without Brett Solkhon, however after he picked up a knee injury.

Bottom-club Redditch United have the chance to move off the foot of the table if they beat second-from-bottom Harrogate Town. Just six points separates the Reds from 12-placed AFC Telford, so there is still plenty to play for at this stage of the season.

Redditch lost 3-2 when the two sides met in September but Town have been on a rapid downward spiral since then and face a difficult task getting out of the relegation zone.

Other interesting match-ups include AFC Telford v Workington with just one place and one point separating the two sides who are in 12th and 11th place respectively while just three points separate Blyth Spartans and Ilkeston Town, who come face to face this weekend.

It is a similar theme throughout the league as sixth-placed Alfreton Town take on seventh-placed Fleetwood Town, 18th-placed Gloucester visit 19th-placed Gainsborough and 14th-placed Stafford Rangers host 16th-placed Northwich Victoria.

All the fixtures in full:AFC Telford v Workington

Blyth Spartans v Ilkeston Town

Droylsden v Solihull Moors

Farsley Celtic v Corby

Fleetwood Town v Alfreton Town

Gainsborough v Gloucester

Hinckley Utd v Stalybridge

Hyde v Vauxhall Motors

Redditch v Harrogate Town

Southport v Eastwood Town

Stafford Rangers v Northwich