Saturday Preview: National League North

Top of the table Salford City are also the in-form team in the league with the Ammies currently seven points clear with five wins in a row and only two loses from their opening nineteen games, they face a tough test in fourth placed Blyth Spartans who made it back to back wins in the league and three in a row in all competitions as they progressed to the first round of the FA Trophy, writes Tom Feaheny.

Alfreton Town ended their run of four losses in a row in their last league game but where then defeated in the FA Trophy by Evo-Stik Premier opposition they next take on Bradford Park Avenue who have had a better run in the league but their cup run ended as well to Stourbridge after a replay, the visitors for this one though find themselves currently in the play-off places.

A new manager, a number of new signings makes it a fresh start for North Ferriby United with Chris Bolder is charge for the first time, the Villagers have only one win this season, they take on Nuneaton Town who have seen Dino Maamria in charge now for a month, these two sides met just a week ago in the FA Trophy with Town gaining a comprehensive 5-1 win.

Boston United and York City could have faced in the FA Trophy in a few weeks time but the Pilgrims were defeated in a replay against Kidderminster Harriers away from home, they now turn their attentions to the league as they sit 2nd bottom in the table, while the Minstermen are four unbeaten in all competitions and in the play-off places in 6th.

Before their loss in their previous league game Brackley Town were the in-form side, they got back to winning ways in the FA Trophy and sit in third in the table, nine points off top spot, they take on Stockport County who are unbeaten in their last three league games and know a win could move them into the play-off places.

Jason Ainsley's Spennymoor Town tasted a rare defeat last time around in the league, as he rued their lack of finishing as playing a part in the loss, they still sit in the play-off places and in fifth, they take on AFC Telford United who have brought in Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who says he has been brought in to do a proper job and help Rob Edwards side climb into the play-off places, they are four points off that target at the moment.

Three draws in a row for Chorley have seen them move out of the top seven places although they are still just two points off, a home tie against Leamington who have built up a five point gap from the relegation places while also just being seven points off seventh, means a good run for Paul Holleran's team could see them move significantly up the table.

FC United of Manchester have their second manager in charge in their history for the first time in a league game as Tom Greaves is in the dugout or he will be on the pitch trying to score another goal for his side, it will be a tough game for them against Harrogate Town who could by mid-week be just a point off top if results go their way.

Kidderminster Harriers needed a replay but are through to the first round of the FA Trophy and that is also the case for Gainsborough Trinity, there is six points separating the two sides at present with both sides picking up victories in their previous league matches.

And Tamworth host Southport, both teams were defeated in their recent league matches with a six point gap between the two teams, Andy Morrell's side were knocked out of the FA Trophy via a replay at Warrington Town while Kevin Davies's Southport did lose their replay against Stockport County their boss believes they have something they can build upon.

Saturday 2nd December 3PM kick-offs
Alfreton Town V Bradford Park Avenue
Blyth Spartans V Salford City
Boston United V York City
Brackley Town V Stockport County
Chorley V Leamington
FC United of Manchester V Harrogate Town
Kidderminster Harriers V Gainsborough Trinity
North Ferriby United V Nuneaton Town
Spennymoor Town V AFC Telford United
Tamworth V Southport

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