Something For The Weekend: Vanarama National League

Whether it be a relegation six-pointer or a must-win fixture in the promotion hunt, every club will be desperate for three points.

Things can change very quickly in football so Saturday’s results will tell us a lot. With the FA Trophy also back on the agenda, it’ll be difficult to keep your eye on everything so we’ve highlight three games that could have huge consequences.

Boreham Wood v Tranmere Rovers

We kick off with an interesting game at Meadow Park as two promotion hopefuls go toe-to-toe.

Boreham Wood’s promotion push has slowed down in recent weeks with draws at Woking and Maidenhead and a home stalemate with Maidenhead on Tuesday night. They’ve only conceded two goals in their previous seven games but goals at the other end have dried up. They’ll need to find their shooting boots if they are to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Micky Mellon’s Tranmere are on the road again for the third match in a row, looking to make it nine points from nine. Rovers know they will have to win most of their remaining games to be in with a chance of winning the title but they have the quality to do it. Saturday could well end up being a dress rehearsal for the play-offs - it could go either way.

Dover Athletic v Macclesfield Town

Both teams are firmly back on track after slight hiccups and both will be coming into this one with plenty of confidence.

Dover are now back in the play-off positions following victories over Leyton Orient and Chester but they know they need to keep up their good form to make sure they finish up in the top seven. They’ve struggled against the top teams at home in recent times so Saturday will be a big test for Chris Kinnear’s side.

The questions keep getting fired at Macclesfield and so far, they’ve had all the answers. They’ve won five games in a row, including away victories at Aldershot and Tranmere, to put themselves in the driving seat. They keep finding ways to win games and if they could do that again this weekend, it would be massive.

Solihull Moors v Torquay United

The top of the table is extremely interesting but the teams battling at the bottom are also serving up plenty of drama.

Mark Yates was left “fuming” after his side conceded late on against Gateshead on Tuesday night. Despite taking the lead twice against ten men, Solihull couldn’t hold on. A positive result on Saturday could take them out of the bottom four and they are unbeaten in seven National League matches on their own turf.

Torquay just keep on fighting. Just when you thought they were out of it again, they pick up a huge victory at Leyton Orient on Tuesday. Gary Owers knows people have written his side off but they have a chance. A win on Saturday could take them to within three points of safety. Then they face Guiseley. It could be a huge week for the Gulls.

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National League Fixtures - Saturday, March 17th

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

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