Mid-Week Preview: Vanarama National League North

Seventh take on first on Tuesday evening as well with Southport who have lost their previous two matches and looking to get back to winning ways going up against Harrogate Town who impressed after tasting defeat for the first time two games ago, writes Tom Feaheny.

Salford City have had a fine week beating the two sides who are above them that has seen them close the gap on top spot to just goal difference, with the joint managers being pleased with the performances along with the results, they go up against Tommy Wright's Nuneaton Town who are now 18th in the table but did gain a point with ten men at the weekend.

AFC Telford United have continued with a win loss routine, this form has seen them currently in mid-table, they take on Stockport County with Jim Gannon hoping his side can bounce back from a loss against York City that also sees them in that position.

John McDermott's Alfreton Town gained an emphatic 4-1 win that moved them to just a place behind the play-off places, they next take on the final team to lose their unbeaten run in the division in Brackley Town who have taken on teams in and around them at the top of the table for the past few weeks.

It has been an impressive start back to the Vanarama National League North for Blyth Spartans who sit fourth in the table after picking up three wins in a row with Dan Maguire now on eight goals for the season, they are up against another inform side in Chorley who are five games unbeaten after manager Matt Jansen changed his tactics, which now really seem to work.

The team who currently sit bottom of the table are North Ferriby United who have been involved in a number of close games that have been settled by the odd goal but normally in the other sides favour, Spennymoor Town are their opponents who for the first time since joining the league have now lost twice in a row so a reaction is what they will want.

There may be seven places between Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers but points wise the gap is just three, both gained victories at the weekend and have the ambition to be going for promotion so that will be a good test for the test teams.

York City boss Gary Mills called for his side to react during their last two games and back to back wins is exactly what he was after they have moved back up the table and take on Gainsborough Trinity who have shown in performances against the likes of Harrogate Town they can be a real test for the side, despite recent losses.

The Wednesday game sees two teams who know how important a win is Darlington are now six without victory while FC United Of Manchester are outside the relegation zone on goal difference after three straight losses.

Last night Bradford Park Avenue made it seven unbeaten after beating Boston United 2-1 and Curzon Ashton and Leamington drew 1-1.

Picture by John Rudkin

Tuesday 12th September
AFC Telford United V Stockport County
Alfreton Town V Brackley Town
Blyth Spartans V Chorley
North Ferriby United V Spennymoor Town
Salford City V Nuneaton Town
Southport V Harrogate Town
Tamworth V Kidderminster Harriers
York City V Gainsborough Trinity

Wednesday 13th September
Darlington V FC United Of Manchester