Something For The Weekend: National League North

By Steve Whitney

With the festive season over, it's now all systems go towards the run-in for promotion and relegation in the Vanarama National League North. Here's three of Saturday's games featuring the battle at either end of the table.....

Stockport County v Salford City

This eagerly-awaited derby should attract the biggest attendance of the day in the North and probably one of the best in all three divisions.

The Hatters enjoyed back-to-back holiday wins over Alfreton Town and are currently just a couple of points off a top seven spot.

The Ammies will be very keen to recover from the disappointment of dropping five points to neighbours FC United of Manchester over the festive period and increase their lead at the top of the table, which currently stands at four points.

Darlington v York City

This game sees Martin Gray return to Blackwell Meadows for the first time since quitting for the York managerial job in October.

It's fair to say he has had mixed fortunes since moving to Bootham Crescent but they head up the A1 on the back of successive festive holiday wins over bottom-markers North Ferriby United.

Gray's replacement at Quakers, Tommy Wright, has seen his side slip down the table and just one league win in eight sees them just a couple of points above the drop zone.

Chorley v Harrogate Town

Second-placed Harrogate head to Victory Park looking to put more pressure on leaders Salford.

Should Simon Weaver's side manage to overcome Matt Jansen's Magpies, the gap at the top of the table will be just one point.

Chorley endured a disappointing festive period, picking up just a point from their two games against struggling Southport, so will be desperate to return to winning ways and pull back the current four-point gap between them and the play-off places.

(Photo: Andy Mitten)

Where next?

FC United Lose Walker To Full-Time Neighbours FC United of Manchester`s wing-back Tom Walker has signed professional terms with league leaders and neighbours Salford City.
BT Sport Confirm Extra Live National League Game Another big Vanarama National League match has been added to the BT Sport bill as the promotion race gathers momentum.

Match centre

Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South
National League Cup Group A

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