Something For The Weekend: National League South

Feathers could well go flying this weekend after two sets of results which have certainly changed the landscape. We’re back to the National League South nobody is willing to call.

A week ago it seemed like leaders Havant just had to hold their nerve but back have bitten Dartford and Hampton as the Hawks find themselves into a mini flap.

It’s very interesting again and this weekend’s set of fixtures are eye-opening - could we have more drama ahead?

We have picked out the three key games to keep an eye on on Saturday as the race for the title, play-offs and survival reaches a vital point.

Where will the headlines be made this weekend?

Bath City v Havant & W

We’re about to find out a lot more about both of these clubs, and this 90 minutes could have a big impact.

Leaders Havant aren’t playing well. Just one goal in their last three matches, Tuesday’s defeat to Truro City saw the gap closed. It’s now only two points when, this time last week, they had hoped it be a lot more.

Although unpredictable, Bath’s Twerton Park isn’t the place they would want to be going to. Jerry Gill will want the same side who beat Poole 4-0 last week to turn up, not the Romans who dropped precious play-off points at home to Eastbourne and Whitehawk recently.

Hemel Hempstead v Gloucester City

There was a tweet put out by the Tigers on Monday which illustrated the turn around in fortunes at Gloucester City.

The club say they are looking at what needs to be done to get Evesham United ready for the play-offs, should it be required. Rewind a month and you would have been convinced the club’s social media account had been hacked by pranksters with a sense of humour.

One of the spots they were eyeing up is Hemel Hempstead’s. Dean Brennan told us last week it’s a “lucky dip” but they slipped out of the top seven on Tuesday and now have to get back on the horse.

Oxford City v Dartford

After squeezing past Hemel Hempstead last weekend, Tony Burman probably didn’t want to see the name of Oxford City next on the title chasers’ fixture list.

Simply put, Oxford specialise in putting away promotion hopefuls lately. In their last five, all of Chelmsford City, Welling United, Hemel and Truro City have been well beaten by Mark Jones’ men. Only Havant escaped their clutches with a narrow win.

Dartford can’t really afford to go the same way as most have lately. They have seen leaders Havant drop points in the last few games and must take advantage.

National League South fixtures:
Bath City v Havant & W
East Thurrock v Chippenham
Eastbourne Borough v Truro City
Hampton & RB v Braintree Town
Hemel Hempstead v Gloucester City
Hungerford v Welling
Oxford City v Dartford
St Albans City v Poole Town
Weston S-M v Bognor Regis
Whitehawk v Concord Rangers