National League North: Complete Weekend Preview
There’s five matches to go and we’re entering crunch time where any point could be precious - and any mistake could be so costly.
April arrives, and we all know what that means. Strap yourself in, the bumpy run-in ride has already started!
Scunthorpe United know that if they’re flawless from now on in, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop them taking the National League North title.
Those chasing will be comforted by the fact Saturday’s opponents Radcliffe have something to play for, sitting just one place above the relegation-zone. Aways games could settle it, with the Iron also on the road at Hereford and King’s Lynn Town in the final month.
The problem for second-place Kidderminster Harriers is that the side they visit on Saturday won’t be on the beach, either. Just two points off the play-offs, Buxton won’t want to let Kiddy close their own two-point gap.
The title hunters are all on the road and Brackley Town fans may feel anything other than victory at South Shields could do significant damage to their championship hopes.
A number of the sides desperate for success in the play-offs come together.
Hereford host Chester, who are all-but out of the race for automatic promotion. King's Lynn Town are level on points with the Bulls but are just outside the top seven. They host Chorley, who are by no means certain of their place.
With Farsley Celtic relegated in midweek, defeat at Curzon Ashton on Saturday will end Warrington Town's one-year stay in the National League North.
It’s almost win or bust for the other two in the bottom four. Alfreton Town stand in struggling Rushall Olympic’s way, while Needham Market must wait with opponents Spennymoor Town in FA Trophy action.
The winner of Southport vs Oxford City will have their place confirmed for next season.
Elsewhere, Darlington face already down Farsley, Peterborough Sports play Leamington as Scarborough Athletic host now-safe Marine.
National League North fixtures:
Alfreton Town v Rushall Olympic
Buxton v Kidderminster Harriers
Curzon Ashton v Warrington Town
Darlington v Farsley Celtic
Hereford v Chester
King's Lynn Town v Chorley
Peterborough Sports v Leamington
Radcliffe v Scunthorpe United
Scarborough Athletic v Marine
South Shields v Brackley Town
Southport v Oxford City
Where next?
