Something For The Weekend – National League North

However, the Vanarama National League North fixture list has some games worth enticing people away from their last-minute bargain hunting for.

Salford City v Chorley

If, like me, you have been glued to the box watching the fascinating 'Class of '92' series, then you`ll know how hard Salford have worked to get to where they are now.

They could sit down for Christmas dinner with a healthy 11-point lead at the top of the table if results go their way on Saturday and, of course, if they're able to beat Matt Jansen's Chorley side who are still reeling from being knocked out of the Buildbase FA Trophy by lower league Marine AFC.

The Ammies go into the match on the back of a run of seven successive wins, although they were inactive last weekend because of the weather.

York City v Blyth Spartans

Martin Gray's Minstermen lost their grip on the Trophy when losing to league rivals Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday and were also beaten last time out in the league when lowly Boston United won 2-1 at the Jakemans Stadium.

So they will be desperately keen to get their play-off challenge back on track going into the busy festive period.

But they are up against another top seven contender in Blyth Spartans, who head to Bootham Crescent in fourth spot, buoyed by their midweek Trophy triumph over league rivals AFC Telford United.

However, Alun Armstrong's side were also beaten in their last league outing when leaders Salford beat them 1-0 at Croft Park.

York go into the game two points adrift of the play-off places, while Spartans have a five-point advantage over eighth-placed Tamworth and would like to extend that before sitting down for their turkey and sprouts!

Curzon Ashton v Stockport County

There's local pride at stake at the Tameside Stadium as The Nash host The Hatters.

But more importantly for respective managers John Flanagan and Jim Gannon will be points towards a top seven challenge.

Curzon picked up another three points on Tuesday against almost doomed North Ferriby United to move to 12th place and within a point of County, who are tenth and two points adrift of the top seven.

The win for Curzon over Ferriby, courtesy of an early sixth minute Ryan Brooke effort, ended a run of three games without a win, although two of those matches were drawn.

Stockport, who will be backed by their army of away fans, have only a 3-2 away defeat to Brackley Town spoiling an otherwise decent recent run of form which has seen them win four and draw two of their last seven matches.