Something For The Weekend: National League North

There are a plethora of matches involving either end of the table on both days.

And while the scrap for the title, for play-off places and avoiding relegation is extremely tight, it will all become a lot clearer once the Easter eggs have all been devoured.

These are among the key games to watch out for.

Brackley Town v Harrogate Town

Friday sees second-placed Harrogate Town make the trip south to Northamptonshire to take on the side immediately below them in the table, Brackley Town.

A win for Kevin Wilkin's in-form and buoyant Saints will put them right bang in the title race, two points behind Harrogate with two games in hand and then all eyes will be on leaders Salford City's result at the Peninsula Stadium against Curzon Ashton. A defeat for the Ammies would leave either Brackley or Harrogate in a great position.

Brackley, of course, are still celebrating reaching their first ever Wembley final, but they didn't take their eye off the ball in midweek, inflicting a 4-1 defeat on relegation-threatened Boston United. Simon Weaver's side, in contrast, were beaten at home by play-off chasing Spennymoor Town, who are involved in our second selection.

Gainsborough Trinity v Spennymoor Town

The Moors travel down the A1 to take on a Gainsborough Trinity side whose Easter period is crucial in terms of their place in the division.

The change of manager with Lee Sinnott taking charge hasn't had the immediate effect the club were no doubt hoping for and they go into this game at The Northolme having lost four in a row.

As for Spennymoor, Jason Ainsley's side are currently sixth with a two-point advantage over north-east rivals Blyth Spartans, but with three games in hand. Moors have won their previous two matches but face a mammoth April when they have to cram in ten games in 26 days!

Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford United

Blyth will be looking to ensure they are still in contention should that horrendously busy spell prove too much for Spennymoor.

They don't play until Saturday when they take on third-bottom AFC Telford United at Croft Park. This is another 'six-pointer' for both teams.

Alun Armstrong's side are currently level on points with Stockport County, who hold the final play-off spot but, as mentioned above, and they both have played more games than Moors. In the Bucks' favour as they go searching for points to move out of the drop zone, is that Spartans go into the game having lost three on the trot, including Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at leaders Salford when Armstrong was sent to the stand.

Rob Edwards' visitors go into the crucial encounter just a point adrift of fourth-bottom Tamworth and possess two games in hand on the Lambs. They lost last Monday night at Bradford Park Avenue, having been held to a 0-0 draw last weekend by Darlington, so will be desperate to get something from their trip north.

National League North Friday fixtures

Alfreton Town v Nuneaton Town
Boston United v Kidderminster Harriers
Brackley Town v Harrogate Town
Bradford Park Avenue v Stockport County
Gainsborough Trinity v Spennymoor Town
Salford City v Curzon Ashton
Tamworth v North Ferriby United

National League North Saturday fixtures

Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford United
Darlington v Southport
Leamington v FC United of Manchester
York City v Chorley