Something For The Weekend: National League North

With just ten points separating eighth-placed Southport and 19th-placed FC United of Manchester, a couple of results either way will have sides looking nervously up or down the table.

Saturday sees a full fixture list in the National league North – weather permitting of course – with the following three matches standing out as vital for either end of the table.

Salford City v Spennymoor Town

With due respect to title-chasing Salford, Spennmoor would much rather have been hosting north-east neighbours Gateshead on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Buildbase FA Trophy than travelingl to the Peninsula Stadium.

But Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Darlington's Blackwell Meadows against National League outfit Bromley saw the end of the Moors' Trophy run. However, Jason Ainsley now has to get his team back focused on the battle for a play-off place and they head across to second-placed Salford holding a one-point advantage on in-form Southport in the final top seven spot.

The Ammies are involved in a battle royal for top spot with Harrogate Town, whose superior goal difference is key at present. Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's side haven't played since beating Tamworth on March 6, so will need to get the rustiness out of their system quickly.

Tamworth v Harrogate Town

Harrogate will be at least hoping to match Salford's result on Saturday as they head south to take on struggling Tamworth at The Lamb.

Town enjoyed an emphatic 6-0 hammering of FC United last weekend, making it ten goals in their last two league outings, which is bad news for the Lambs.

Because in contrast, Mike Fowler's side have failed to score in their last two matches, including Tuesday night's 0-0 draw at home to Darlington. But the Lambs are only currently four points above the drop zone and have played more games than most around them.

Bradford Park Avenue v AFC Telford United

That includes AFC Telford United, who travel north to take on top seven-chasing Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium.

The Bucks are three points behind FC United in 20th spot but have played two games fewer than the latter and three less than Tamworth. Rob Edwards' side have suffered back-to-back defeats at home to Nuneaton Town and away at Southport, so will desperately need to get something from their trip to Yorkshire.

Mark Bower's Avenue are currently ninth, three points behind Spennymoor, who have loads of games in hand due to their Trophy run. This will be Avenue's third successive home game but they have only taken one point from last weekend's 3-3 draw against Alfreton Town, having previously suffered a hugely disappointing defeat to rock-bottom North Ferriby United. So, if Avenue are to maintain a play-off challenge, they need to get back to winning ways quickly.

Saturday's fixtures:-

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