E-mail Article Print this story

Related Links

Saturday's Blue Square North Preview

Fleetwood Town will be taking nothing for granted when they host Northwich Victoria in the Blue Square North this weekend.

Micky Mellon's side's nine-match unbeaten run came to an end at Gainsborough Trinity last weekend while Northwich picked up a good win over AFC Telford.

Fleetwood are six points clear of closest rivals Southport at the top of the table although the Sandgrounders have three games in hand.

Mellon told the club's official site: "We won't be taking anything for granted and we're expecting a very difficult game as they all are at this stage of the season because everybody has something to fight for. We'll go into the game giving Northwich the respect they deserve."

Victoria boss Andy Preece says his side is full of confidence after losing only one of their past nine league encounters. He told the Northwich Guardian: "It will have to be an immense performance to beat them at their place but after winning the past two games at home we can go there with the pressure off."

Second-placed Southport travel to Corby Town this weekend, knowing they need to make use of their games in hand to catch the Fleet.

Southport's last encounter was a 2-0 win over Farsley Celtic but it came after an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Hinckley Utd that gave both the management and players a wake up call after some less than impressive performances. They will be hoping their recent improvement continues as they face a Corby side playing for a play-off place but on the back of a poor 3-0 loss to Solihull Moors.

The highest placed finish that Alfreton Town can seemingly hope for is their current position in third with Southport ten points clear of them. But it won't stop them from aiming higher, especially after a 6-2 win over Farsley Celtic.

Town manager Nicky Law been hard at work strengthening his side in recent weeks and will looking forward to taking on Stafford Rangers, who have struggled for much of the season. Rangers must feel their play-off hopes are quickly diminishing - although they have attempted to address their form with the signing of striker Saul Otobo.

On the upcoming game, boss Chris Brindley told the Express and Star: "Alfreton started the season badly and had a few injuries, but they are the side in form at the minute and are a good side in this league. But we have two home games and we have to win one of them at least."

Fourth-placed Hinckley Utd travel to Ilkeston Town with United manager Dean Thomas confident his side will remain in the play-off places.

Town manager Dean Thomas has a tough job of trying to end a mid-season slump and is looking for his side to find their form on Saturday - this after surrendering a 2-0 lead over Hyde to lose 3-2.

He told the Hinckley Times: "I cannot fault my players for their effort though and we will get back to the training ground and work hard ahead of the weekend."

Droylsden occupy the final play-off spot as they welcome Farsley Celtic to the Butchers Arms this weekend. They have had a number of mixed results, most recently drawing 1-1 with bottom-club Vauxhall Motors and will need a significant improvement if they are to avoid slipping down the table.

At the other end of the standing, Motors take on Hyde at home. It is a key match for the relegation threatened side, who will need a result if they are to make use of their improved form in recent matches. They were disappointed to only take a point from Droylsden but will be weary of a Hyde side that has not lost in four weeks.

Second-from-bottom Harrogate Town travel to 17th-placed Gloucester, who are having a few troubles of their own. They need to formalise a groundshare to avoid relegation that could directly influence Town's standings at the end of the season. But the Harrogate boss will take little comfort from that fact and ensure his team responds from their 3-0 loss to AFC Telford by picking up a much needed three points.

Gainsborough Trinity occupy 20th spot but if recent results are anything to go by, they could find themselves out of danger if they continue their recent improved form. The Blues have won their last two home games and now have Stalybridge Celtic in their sights.

Trinity boss Brian Little is making sure he remains grounded though as he told Sports Echo: "We've had a good week and it has made a big difference, but it will be even better if we can get a result on Saturday as well.

"We've had a couple of good results but we have to keep building on it. We now need to go on a run of four, five or six games unbeaten.

"Look at Stafford, who beat us a few weeks ago in a game that I still can't work out how we lost. They then won a few games in a row and suddenly things changed a lot for them and they were well out of trouble."

All the fixtures in full:

Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford

Corby v Southport

Droylsden v Farsley Celtic

Fleetwood Town v Northwich

Gloucester v Harrogate Town

Ilkeston Town v Hinckley Utd

Solihull Moors v Eastwood Town

Stafford Rangers v Alfreton Town

Stalybridge v Gainsborough

Vauxhall Motors v Hyde

Workington v Redditch