Something For The Weekend: National League North

Almost all of the games scheduled for Saturday have significance at either end of the table, although the biggest crowd of the day could well turn out to be at Broadhurst Park where neighbours FC United of Manchester and Stockport County meet in a clash that is an all-ticket sell-out.

Stockport have fallen down the table in the race for the play-offs but there are still nine or ten clubs still in with a chance of making the extra games at the end of the season.

And with only six points separating 12th-placed FC United from third-bottom Gainsborough Trinity, no-one in that pack can relax.

With so many games having an impact on the top and bottom of the table on Saturday, it was difficult choosing just three.

It should be a terrific day's football all round, but we think the following are the ones to watch.

Blyth Spartans v Bradford Park Avenue

Last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Darlington was a massive blow to Bradford Park Avenue's play-off hopes.

Mark Bower's side looked to have turned the corner after back-to-back defeats to Spennymoor Town and York City when they trashed struggling Gainsborough Trinity 5-0 on Monday, 5th February.

But then came the disappointing reverse against the Quakers. Avenue are now five points adrift of seventh-placed Spennymoor, so need to pick up something from their trip to Croft Park on Saturday if they are to stay in the race.

In contrast, Blyth go into the match after successive impressive 3-0 wins, including one against third-placed Brackley Town.

Currently fifth, Alun Armstrong's side hold a six-point advantage over the chasing pack, led by Avenue, so will be equally as keen to extend that lead.

Chorley v Gainsborough Trinity

Chorley go into their game at Victory Park against relegation-threatened Gainsborough Trinity on the back of just one win in nine league games – a run which has seen them fall seven points adrift of the play-off places.

So, if Matt Jansen's men are to mount a top seven challenge again, they need to pick up points – and quickly.

On paper at least, the Magpies couldn't have wished for much better opponents in which to re-kindle their play-off challenge than a third-bottom Trinity outfit who have lost their last two games without scoring a goal whilst conceding eight.

However, one now has to factor in the new manager syndrome as Trinity this week appointed the experienced Lee Sinnott to attempt to guide them out of the drop zone.

Trinity's chairman Richard Kane is hoping the former Altrincham and Port Vale boss can have the same effect on the team that the likes of Chris Moyses at Alfreton Town, Kevin Davies at Southport and Craig Elliott at Boston United have had.

Kidderminster Harriers v Harrogate Town

If Harrogate Town are to maintain a serious challenge for the title, then they need to pick something up from their trip to fourth-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

The gap between Town and leaders Salford City is currently a manageable two points ahead of kick-off and with the Ammies travelling to take on an Alfreton Town side who have lost just once in their last six matches, the Yorkshire side could be top of the table come 4.50pm on Saturday.

However, Harriers go into the game unbeaten in 17 games and have won their last three, so John Eustace's side will be a very tough nut to crack – especially at Aggborough.

National League North fixtures in full:

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