Something For The Weekend: Vanarama National League

Clubs who had a good festive season will be hoping to carry that forward whilst sides who struggled know they need to get back in the wins quickly.

We’ve picked out five games from this Saturday’s fixture list that look like they will create some more fireworks.

Barrow v Tranmere Rovers

It was a miserable start to 2018 for Tranmere Rovers. In such good form, they went to AFC Fylde confident of securing some more points. They were well beaten on the day, however, and eventually went down 5-2. Micky Mellon’s men are in the play-off places but know they’ll ned a result at Barrow to stay there. The Bluebirds scored very late on to grab a point at Wrexham so they’ll be in high spirits.

Bromley v AFC Fylde

Bromley put on a show for the BT Sport cameras on New Year’s Day, beating rivals Ebbsfleet United 4-2. The Ravens and Fylde netted a combined nine times on the first day of 2018 so we could well see a few more goals at Hayes Lane this weekend. Bromley are up to sixth now and looking good whilst Fylde still have the top seven in their sights. A win for the Coasters would be a big signal of intent.

Dover Athletic v Aldershot Town

Dover were denied all three points at Kent rivals Maidstone thanks to Joe Anderson’s last-minute strike but the Whites are still sitting pretty in fourth. They could potentially leapfrog Aldershot into second with a victory at Crabble on Saturday but the Shots will be buoyed by the late win at local rivals Woking on New Year’s Day. Dover have drawn their last four games and would love to get back to winning ways.

Gateshead v Sutton United

The Heed just can’t seem to find any consistency in the National League and are still languishing towards the wrong end of the table. They showed glimpses of big improvement in the two draws with Hartlepool United on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day but victories are needed to climb the table. Sutton were a minute away from claiming all three points against Sutton on New Year’s Day before Angelo Balanta’s equaliser. They’re now eight points behind leaders Macclesfield so a win would be welcomed on the long trip up to the north-east.

Leyton Orient v Boreham Wood

The New Year’s Day draw with Dagenham & Redbridge moved Orient eight points clear of the bottom four and they will surely have designs on getting back into the play-off conversation. They will need a run of wins for that to happen, however, and the loan signing of Dan Holman could prove to be crucial. Boreham Wood will want to get back into the play-off places themselves and this will be a great test of their promotion credentials.

Full National League Fixtures

Barrow v Tranmere Rovers
Bromley v AFC Fylde
Dagenham & Redbridge v Hartlepool United
Dover Athletic v Aldershot Town
Eastleigh v Guiseley
Ebbsfleet United v Chester
Gateshead v Sutton United
Leyton Orient v Boreham Wood
Macclesfield Town v Solihull Moors
Maidenhead United v FC Halifax Town
Woking v Maidstone United
Wrexham v Torquay United

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