It's High Stakes As The Penultimate Weekend Nears

By Sam Elliott

And just like that, it’s the penultimate week of the Vanarama National League season - and history tells us we’ll need to strap in for the ride.

There’s been intense drama in the second to last matchday for the past few years and more is sure to be served up on Saturday with so much still to be decided.

The seven day siren is about to be sounded and any mistake tomorrow could prove to be a fatal blow to amitions.

Two sides all too aware of that fact meet for the live TNT Sports game. Having played more than most of their play-off rivals, Aldershot Town know only a win at home to Boreham Wood will really do.

But Luke Garrard’s team have their own fires to fight down the bottom - nothing beats a meeting of two sides desperate for the points at the stage of the season, and Matt Smith and the team will be at the EBB Stadium to bring this vital game to life from 5pm.

FC Halifax Town hope the loss of home advantage won’t throw a spanner in the works. They face Barnet this weekend at Accrington Stanley after problems with the Shay pitch hoping to keep their promotion place.

Champions Chesterfield still have 100 points in their sights. They need five more and want to get three of them at Wealdstone, who have new life in their fight against the drop. But have they got the legs after playing on Tuesday and Thursday?

Meanwhile Dorking Wanderers will be officially relegated if they don’t win at Rochdale after they crumbled at Wealdstone.

After being in the top three all season, Bromley will be shunted out if Solihull Moors win at Hayes Lane for the second time in a week following their FA Trophy semi-final triumph last weekend.

Southend United fans are wondering what if - two more wins and some luck elsewhere may see them break into the play-off places. Their unlikely mission heads to AFC Fylde while Oldham Athletic - who must win all their last three to surely have a chance - go to Oxford City with the Latics winless in eight matches.

Kidderminster Harriers have only won once in the same period and Phil Brown knows they simply must win at home to Eastleigh to stand a survival chance.

Ebbsfleet United need more points to be absolutely certain, they’re at home to play-off hunters Altrincham, while the winner of York City vs Woking should be able to start planning for another National League season.

Maidenhead United are now safe - will that play into Gateshead’s hands when they go looking for important promotion points with the Heed having a few tough days of travelling?

Hartlepool and Dagenham meet with the best either club can hope for being a top half finish.

Where next?

Many Matters Now Settled With Just One Week Left To Go Important matters were settled as lifelines were thrown on a high energy penultimate weekend of the season.
National League Statement | Torquay United An Independent Panel, commissioned by the National League, has met to hear the case of a Member Club who were charged with and alleged breach of League rules.

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