Something For The Weekend: What's In Store On Saturday?

With the National League North and South clubs putting their feet up, the full focus falls on the National League.

At the time of year when we all struggle to remember what day of the week it is, how about a first vs second match to keep your focus?

There’s also a live BT Sport game between Aldershot and Maidstone United to chuck into the mix - as well as some crunch play-offs and relegation matches.

As we do every week, we pick out the three games you’ve got to keep an eye on this weekend.

Macclesfield Town v Sutton United

There’s simply nowhere else to start. Macclesfield, the league leaders, take on second place Sutton United who know no fear when it comes to going away from home and snatching a result.

Macc boss John Askey will know the power of three points. They’ve held the leadership longer than anyone and a victory against the Londoners will allow them to stretch their legs. With just one home defeat since September, the table topping Silkmen want to end a great 2017 in style.

But they take on a side who didn’t just end Boreham Wood’s great unbeaten run, but they totally destroyed it. A 4-0 away win proved to everyone they’re very much in the title race.

Chester v Hartlepool United

Two clubs who desperately need a result come together at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.

Chester know how important the next two games are to their chances of staying in the National League. The gap is now eight points, but with out-of-form Hartlepool United visiting and a trip to fourth-bottom Guiseley on New Year’s Day they know it’s time to perform.

Hartlepool have won once since October and they need a positive end to a terrible 2017 which saw the club relegated from the Football League.

Barrow v Solihull Moors

Reborn Barrow and their manager Ady Pennock knows how big this match is. Win, and the gap between the bottom four and the Bluebirds could well extend to 11 points. Lose? And they let a rival back in.

What a job the former Forest Green manager has done since taking over at Holker Street, but one sore point is possibly the home results, which so far hasn’t seen as many wins as they have managed on the road.

Solihull know it’s time for the talking to stop. Mark Yates’ arrival has seen improvement but if they are to stay up, they have to start winning. Moors have won once since October and a run is required now with the side 12 points from safety.

The manager says it’s not over yet but knows results must come if his team are to stay in the race for survival.

Vanarama National League fixture list in full:
Aldershot v Maidstone (12.30pm live on BT Sport)
Barrow v Solihull Moors
Boreham Wood v Torquay
Chester v Hartlepool
Dover v FC Halifax
Eastleigh v Woking
Ebbsfleet United v Dagenham
Gateshead v Wrexham
Leyton Orient v Bromley
Macclesfield v Sutton United
Maidenhead v AFC Fylde
Tranmere v Guiseley