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Saturday's Blue Square North Preview

Saturday's Blue Square North leaders Southport host second-placed Fleetwood Town in the pick of the ties this Boxing Day.

The Sandgrounders lead the table by six points and boss Liam Watson is full of confidence ahead of the big showdown. He insists his side have what it takes to claim all three points.

Watson told the club's official website: "We have been the best team in the first half of the season. Fleetwood are where they are because they are a really good team and results have dictated so and the same with Stalybridge Celtic. But when the sides near the top have arrived at Haig Avenue so far this season we have won convincingly. If we are right on the day then there is nobody to fear in this league."

Eastwood Town, who currently occupy third place on the table welcome Ilkeston Town to Coronation Park this Saturday. The Badgers have not beaten The Robins in eight attempts and are hoping to put that statistic to bed this Boxing Day.

Manager Paul Cox told This Is Derbyshire: "It's strange that we have done so well in recent times yet not been able to beat Ilkeston. Even when they were battling relegation we went there and they thumped us 4-0.

"I'm not too bothered about the performance in a derby, it would just be nice to get that win, especially for the fans."

Ilkeston boss Kevin Wilson is looking forward to the match although he knows just how tough an encounter it will be: "We will expect another, tough game against them but it's a fixture that we're looking forward to."

Alfreton Town travel to Droylsden with manager Nicky Law admitting that injuries have taken their toll on the squad. He told This Is Derbyshire: "It is going to take a little bit of time to get two or three up to speed in terms of match fitness but we are already working towards that with extra individual sessions.

"We have had a very tough time of it through injuries over the past few weeks and it would be interesting to see how other clubs would cope with seven players out at this level."

The Reds are currently in sixth place and level on points with Stalybridge, who occupy the fourth play-off place with their opponents this weekend only two points better off in fourth spot on the league.

Stalybridge will be looking forward to a potentially easier tie than some of the other play-off hopefuls as they take on a Hyde side, who are just one place and point above the relegation zone. With just one win in sixteen games, Hyde have gone the longest of any side in the division without a win.

Elsewhere, Stafford Rangers top scorer Nick Wellecomme, who has failed to score in two matches since his return from a back injury, is looking to get amongst the goals on Saturday.

He told the Express and Star: "I am hoping to notch again over the Christmas period, no doubt about it. It's time to get back among the goals and I will be looking to do that starting with Telford. Telford are not having the best run of form at the moment, so hopefully we can capitalise on it. We love to win games anyway, but to beat our local rivals would make everyone's Christmas. You don't have to tell me what it would mean as I am a hometown lad."

In other matches, Gloucester travel to Redditch with City manager Dave Mehew outlining the importance of the next three games for his team. He told This is Gloucestershire: "I said to the lads we have already got three points when we played Solihull before and if we come out on top from the next few matches we will be in a great position for the rest of the season.

"I saw Redditch the other week and they look hard to break down. Although we haven't played for a few weeks there will be no excuses, we have to focus on the job in hand."

Farsley Celtic have the chance to give their fans something to cheer about as they take on bottom-side Harrogate Town. There is a chance a number of the games will be called off due to the weather with Neil Parsley fearing the worst.

Parsley told Calverley Today: "Looking at the car park and the stand the other night, it's looking doubtful. It's going to take a massive improvement, but we live in hope. All we can do is prepare for 3 o'clock on Boxing Day to do battle with Harrogate for the three points."

All the fixtures in full:

AFC Telford v Stafford Rangers

Corby v Gainsborough

Droylsden v Alfreton Town

Eastwood Town v Ilkeston Town

Farsley Celtic v Harrogate Town

Hyde v Stalybridge

Redditch v Gloucester

Solihull Moors v Hinckley Utd

Southport v Fleetwood Town

Vauxhall Motors v Northwich

Workington v Blyth Spartans