Saturday Preview: Vanarama National League North

Five sides are looking to maintain their 100% record going into their third match of the campaign, writes Tom Feaheny.

Top of the table Harrogate Town have won their opening two games, scored six goals and conceded zero but they face their toughest test so far in Jim Gannon's Stockport County with the hosts for this match looking to make Edgley Park a fortress once again this campaign, they picked up a 3-0 win on Tuesday.

Blyth Spartans are looking for their first points of the season after they lost to York City on Tuesday, they next face a Tamworth side who will be buoyed by the first victory they picked up during mid-week.

Both AFC Telford United and Salford City have a win and a loss each, with three points on the board, joint manager Anthony Johnson called for The Ammies to maintain the standards they set from their victory.

Darlington are looking to keep their 100% record but they know it will be tough as they face an Alfreton Town team who are getting used to the changes they made squad wise with 17 new additions in the group.

A Yorkshire derby is in store for Bradford Park Avenue and York City with both sides on three points, Avenue lost late on Monday night while City gained their first win thanks to two first-half goals on Tuesday, this will be an all-ticket clash.

Spennymoor Town are so far unbeaten in their new league winning both their first ever home and away National League North matches, they will look to extend that form as they travel to a Boston United side who bounced back from an opening day defeat to gain an impressive win against Alfreton.

North Ferriby United have had a tricky start back to the division and it doesn't get any easier for Steve Housham's side as they host in-form Brackley Town, Kevin Wilkin's team are 4th in the table with back to back wins and a host of experienced players who know how important a good start can be.

Nuneaton Town find themselves 17th in the table so far and only a place above opponents Gainsborough Trinity but Tommy Wright's side have crucially gained three points so far, Trinity on the other hand have lost both their games in tight matches, being defeated by the odd goal in each game.

Two sides who both lost during mid-week after impressing on the previous Saturday face each other as Matt Jansen's Chorley host John Flannagan's Curzon Ashton, last season it was Curzon who won this fixture 3-0.

Southport were top of the table for 24 hours after their late Monday night win saw, they were knocked off top spot due to goal difference but it has certainly been an encouraging start for the Sandgrounders, they travel to Leamington are aiming for their first home win since returning to the league.

And both FC United of Manchester and Kidderminster Harriers enter this game on zero points, that will obviously change for either one or both these sides as they look to get their season underway with this match.

Photo by: Mike Petch Photography

Saturday 12th August
AFC Telford United V Salford City
Stockport County V Harrogate Town
Nuneaton Town V Gainsborough Trinity
Chorley V Curzon Ashton
Blyth Spartans V Tamworth
Leamington V Southport
FC United Of Manchester V Kidderminster Harriers
North Ferriby United V Brackley Town
Bradford Park Avenue V York City
Boston United V Spennymoor Town
Darlington V Alfreton Town