Something For The Weekend: Vanarama National League

We’ve got games that will have big consequences for clubs at both ends of the League table.

But which four games should you really be keeping your eye on? That’s where we come in…

Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot Town

The Daggers need to get back on the winning trail if they have legitimate promotion aspirations whilst Aldershot could go top with a victory.

Dagenham have lost striker Morgan Ferrier, defender Sam Ling and skipper Scott Doe this week so it will be interesting to see how they react at the weekend. John Still’s men have lost three in a row and have slipped down to tenth. Can they turn things around?

The Shots have been fantastic on the road recently, picking up big wins at Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient. They’re just a point off leaders Wrexham and will fancy their chances at an out of sorts Dagenham team.

Dover Athletic v Sutton United

Arguably the game of the weekend, fifth and sixth do battle on Saturday at Crabble.

The Whites were knocked out of the FA Trophy at the death by Leyton Orient last weekend but they did fight back from a 3-0 deficit to level before the late blow. Chris Kinnear’s side will need to tighten up at the back - they’ve picked up just one clean sheet in eight games.

Sutton have one of the best away records in the National League this season and will need to bounce back from their FA Trophy exit at Brackley last Saturday. They still have a game in hand over their rivals and a win at Dover would be huge.

Leyton Orient v Tranmere Rovers

A game that holds importance for both teams - Brisbane Road could be treated to a cracker this weekend.

Orient are coming off that 4-3 victory at Dover in the FA Trophy. Justin Edinburgh wasn’t best pleased that his side threw away a three-goal advantage but they still made it through. Now they need to pick up some points in the League to climb to safety but Saturday will be a tough task for the O's.

Tranmere will know they could go top with victory - what better incentive for Micky Mellon’s side? Rovers have won three of their last four and now look like the real deal. Orient are better than their League position suggests so a win would be a very good result.

Wrexham v FC Halifax Town

The new National League leaders welcome a struggling side with no manager - surely it’s a clear home win?

Well, you never quite know this season! The Dragons are now there to be shot at but they’ll be full of confidence after climbing back to the summit last Saturday. They’ve added Jonathan Franks from Hartlepool this week and Dean Keates looks to have all the right pieces now to go on a run.

Neil Young is in caretaker charge of the Shaymen following Billy Heath’s exit last week. They’ve lost four of their last six League fixtures and are now just four points above the relegation zone. Nobody will expect them to get anything this weekend so any result would be a huge bonus.

Honourable mention: Bromley v Maidstone United - Big Kent derby between high-scoring Bromley and the out of sort Stones.

Full National League Fixture List (February 10):

Barrow P-P Hartlepool United
Bromley v Maidstone United
Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot Town (Live on BT Sport, 5.30pm)
Dover Athletic v Sutton United
Eastleigh v Boreham Wood
Ebbsfleet United v Solihull Moors
Gateshead v AFC Fylde
Leyton Orient v Tranmere Rovers
Macclesfield Town v Guiseley
Maidenhead United v Torquay United
Woking v Chester
Wrexham v FC Halifax Town

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