Saturday Preview: National League North

Two sides aiming for promotion face each other as Spennymoor and Harrogate meet at The Brewery Field, the two town's have so far impressed with Simon Weaver's Harrogate top of the league for most of the season so far, while they are now second they have only lost once this campaign, Spennymoor's Jason Ainsley has led his side to fourth in the table with back to back wins, writes Tom Feaheny.

The top side Salford City are looking to make it five wins in a row in the National League North as they travel to Tamworth, last season it was Andy Morrell's team who did the double over them, the hosts are just outside the top seven places so far but do have a game in hand on teams around them.

York City moved into the play-off places with victory last weekend, their manager Martin Gray knows how important making it two in a row is, they are away to an Alfreton Town side who have lost their last two games, while nine places separate the two sides ahead of kick-off, it is only a five point gap with Town having a game in hand.

Blyth Spartans were handed a heavy loss last weekend away in Yorkshire now they will be hoping home comforts can get them back to winning ways, that loss didn't affect the good start they have made to the season as they sit 5th in the table, their opponents Leamington loss last weekend for the first time in over a month, they have in recent away matches taken points from Salford and Harrogate.

Karl Hawley the caretaker boss of Boston United praised the attitude of the side as they got their first win in the league since early September, this result has moved them to a result from getting out the relegation zone, Jim Gannon's Stockport County are just outside the play-off places after gaining the win and bragging rights against FC United of Manchester last weekend.

A point last weekend was seen as the potential start for North Ferriby United as they gained a draw on the road, now they look to get their home form going as well and a Yorkshire derby would be the ideal way for them to get their second win of the season, they face Bradford Park Avenue who have impressed against the teams at the top of the table in recent weeks.

Brackley Town made it three wins in a row in their last match and in doing so moved up to third in the table, Kevin Wilkin has said they need to get a run of results if they are to have any chance of catching up on top spot, Gainsborough Trinity are back to league action after their cup exit, they come in this game four unbeaten in the National League North.

Chorley were so near in drawing against League One opponents in the FA Cup before their late heartbreak and they will be hoping to use that as motivation as they look to get back into the top seven places, Nuneaton Town find themselves just above the drop zone on goal difference only now as a run of three loses has taken them to 19th.

Curzon Ashton followed two wins with two losses as they look to get back to winning ways, knowing it could propel them to the play-offs by Saturday evening, they take on Southport who under Kevin Davies have drawn their opening three games with him in charge, while that ended a run of loses the aim will now be to get the three points.

FC United of Manchester announced this week they are looking at their options in terms of their new manager, so Tom Greaves the current caretaker would do his chances of getting the role permanently no harm with a win, they face AFC Telford United who were disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup, they drew their last league match.

Kidderminster Harriers were another side who exited the cup last weekend, they now can turn their attention to the league knowing they have games in hand on every other team in the league, they take on Tommy Wright's Darlington who have so far lost the two games he has been in charge of, while they make changes to the squad.

Saturday 11th November 3pm kick-off
Alfreton Town V York City
Blyth Spartans V Leamington
Boston United V Stockport County
Brackley Town V Gainsborough Trinity
Chorley V Nuneaton Town
Curzon Ashton V Southport
FC United of Manchester V AFC Telford United
Kidderminster Harriers V Darlington
North Ferriby United V Bradford Park Avenue
Spennymoor Town V Harrogate Town
Tamworth V Salford City