Something For The Weekend: National League North

The title race is still up for grabs, there are still plenty of teams hoping to make the play-offs, while at least six sides are scrapping to avoid joining Ferriby in the feeder leagues next season.

So Saturday`s games include several crucial encounters, and here`s just three to keep a special eye on.

Chorley v Blyth Spartans

This is a must-win game for both sides if they are to mount a challenge to get into the top seven.

The Magpies are just a couple of points behind current seventh-placed side York City and possess two games in hand on the Minstermen and go into the match buoyed by wins over Bradford Park Avenue and relegation-threatened AFC Telford United in their last two outings. Matt Jansen`s side lost 2-0 at Croft Park in September, so will be keen to make amends for that.

As for Spartans, a terrible run at just the wrong time has seen Alun Armstrong`s men drop to ninth in the table, three points behind Chorley but, like their hosts, with two games in hand on York. Since beating Bradford Park Avenue on February 17th, Spartans have lost all five of their games, although the last three have been against promotion-chasing Salford City, Harrogate Town and Kidderminster Harriers.

But this encounter at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium is a real `six-pointer` for them.

Harrogate Town v Southport

Although Brackley Town have games in hand, the title race does look as though it will be between Salford and Harrogate – March`s manager of the month Kevin Wilkin will not agree though!

But the Saints` backlog of games, added to the fact they are looking forward to their first-ever visit to Wembley for the Buildbase FA Trophy Final, leaves me to believe that the top two will battle it out for the automatic promotion spot.

Harrogate entertain a Southport side who, after a marvellous run which saw Kevin Davies` side win five games on the trot - scoring three on each occasion – lifted them to within a shout of making a late top seven bid.

However, they Port have gone in reverse since then, losing at home to strugging Alfreton Town and Nuneaton Town and away at York.

Simon Weaver`s side begin the day three points behind leaders Salford and, on paper, both have reasonably similar run-ins. Harrogate have won their last two matches after sharing a 0-0 draw at Brackley but will need a win to keep their title hopes alive and avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

Gainsborough Trinity v York City

Gainsborough`s defeat at fellow strugglers Curzon Ashton on Wednesday night has left them in dire straits, five points adrift of the safety-mark with only four games remaining. After this game against play-off chasing York, Lee Sinnott`s side face already-relegated North Ferriby and then two massive `six-pointers` against AFC Telford United and Tamworth.

Of course, the final couple of games may be irrelevant unless Trinity pick up points from the Northolme visit of the Minstermen and against Ferriby.

As for Martin Gray`s side, they will also be desperate for three points after losing their last two matches at home to Harrogate and away to Nuneaton. They finish with a tough trio of games away to FC United of Manchester and Brackley and at home to Leamington.

Saturday`s fixtures:-

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