Something For The Weekend: National League South

According to Hampton manager Alan Dowson its now a two-horse race between Havant and Dartford. While the leaders will be tested at Welling, the Darts will be favourites to beat Weston at home.

As well as the race for the play-offs, getting into the top three has its advantages with the new format.

St Albans are closing in on Hampton, with Truro City still watching closely. It’s all to play for - a lot like the battle to get into the top seven.

Here, we pick the three stand-out games and explain why they are so pivotal on Saturday.

Strap yourself in for another bumpy ride - let’s just hope the rain stays away!

Welling United v Havant & W

We’re about to discover what the National League South leaders are made of.

After surprisingly dropping points at doomed Whitehawk on Monday, Lee Bradbury’s team now need to stand up and be counted again. They must do that at a demanding venue against a side still ticked off about events over Easter themselves.

Jamie Coyle’s Welling United, who have won four of their last seven, are aiming to put a spanner in the works for the Hawks and please their Kent rivals Dartford. It’s our feature game too.

Chelmsford City v Poole Town

Both are one place below where they need to be but for Poole Town they must feel lower than a snake’s belly.

Monday’s capitulation at Hungerford - the team occupying the spot directly above them - painted the worst possible picture for Tom Killick. An instant recovery is required or a Southern League return beckons.

Rod Stringer’s Clarets grabbed their first win in four last time out as they narrowly eased past Concord Rangers. They need to beat another struggler at home and build some momentum.

St Albans City v Whitehawk

Steve King wouldn’t mind counterpart Ian Allinson’s issues - winning while not being at their best.

The Saints manager let his players know they can’t carry on being sloppy after beating promotion rivals Braintree 2-1 on Monday. He wasn’t happy, but King certainly was - the bottom side drawing 0-0 with leaders Havant and impressing.

St Albans are going for five wins in a row and are attempting to knock Hampton off their third place perch. If they do that of course and take a top three place then it’s just two play-off games to get through instead of three.

Saturday's National League South fixtures:
Chelmsford City v Poole Town
Concord Rangers v Hampton
Dartford v Weston
Gloucester City v Bognor Regis
Hemel H v Chippenham
Hungerford v Braintree T
Oxford City v Eastbourne
St Albans City v Whitehawk
Truro City v East Thurrock
Wealdstone v Bath City
Welling United v Havant & W