Weekend Preview: The Vanarama National League North

Top of the table Harrogate Town are involved in a big Yorkshire derby against York City, with over 2000 people expected to be at the CNG Stadium, these two sides would meet in pre-season friendlies but this season it is league action for the pair, with Harrogate ahead of the Minstermen by eight points and six places. York have been boosted with Jon Parkin scoring his 200th career goal, while Town saw Liam Agnew come back from injury and play a part in their FA Cup win last weekend, writes Tom Feaheny.

Boston United gained progression in the FA Cup after winning in a replay during mid-week, in the league they have lost their previous two matches with manager Adam Murray saying their will be more transfer business soon as they look to improve the squad, they take on Darlington who won their previous league match but were defeated by South Shields in the FA Cup.

Third in the table Brackley Town have faced the top teams teams and Alfreton Town in recent league games and in the process now have 22 points from the opening 11 games, they take on a Curzon Ashton side who were knocked out of the FA Cup but in the league are unbeaten in their previous four matches, they are five points off the relegation zone but also the play-off places as well.

Chorley's Matt Jansen believes his side have found the formula to pick up results and three wins in a row proved that to be the case they will now be hoping their last league loss away at Blyth was a blip as they look to move closer to the play-off places, they take on AFC Telford United a side who are level on points with them and have a record of winning one then losing one so far this season.

The Gainsborough Trinity boss Dave Frecklington has called on his side not to get carried after after an impressive draw at York in the league and win in the FA Cup against Spennymoor Town, before that two poor loses had happened, he knows that the test of Salford City will not be an easy one, they lost for the second time in all competitions last Saturday losing to York in the FA Cup, before that in the league they have gained eight wins and two draws from their last ten games.

Fourth placed Blyth Spartans have had a fine run of form in recent weeks in the league picking up some impressive wins along the way and are currently on a four game winning run in the division, though they did suffer a disappointing loss in the FA Cup, they take on Kidderminster Harriers who avoided a giant killing in the cup last weekend, in the league Harriers saw their three game run without a loss end in their last league game after Tamworth defeated them, they now sit 15th in the league.

Leamington are in the last remaining relegation place but know a win at the weekend would see them potentially move up to as high as 17th, they are now three games unbeaten in all competitions though face a tough test in Bradford Park Avenue Mark Bower's side are eight unbeaten in all competitions and have jumped up the table to eighth joint level on points with the play-offs.

Two wins and three draws from their opening 11 games sees Nuneaton Town just a point off the relegation places, last weekend they gained victory in the FA Cup with Ashley Chambers getting his first senior hat-trick, another side who want results to improve are Southport who have lost their previous four games and have had injuries to contend with as well.

Just a single point separates Spennymoor Town and Alfreton Town, with both sides impressing so far, Spennymoor boss Jason Ainsley says his side need to react from their FA Cup defeat last weekend while John McDermott's Alfreton side progressed to the next round of the FA Cup after beating AFC Rushden and Diamonds and have not lost in their last league games.

It has been a poor start to the season for North Ferriby United who have lost eight of their opening eleven league games and were knocked out of the FA Cup to 1874 Northwich last weekend, they have put in good performances against Darlington and Blyth Spartans and will be hoping for another one against Stockport County who have lost their last two league games but did progress in the FA Cup to the third qualifying round.

On Sunday FC United of Manchester who have lost their previous four league games and sit 21st in the league take on Tamworth who have in recent weeks impressed in the league and sit fifth in the division, with Andy Morrell's side picking up result that sees them just six points off top of the table.

Saturday 23rd September
Boston United V Darlington
Brackley Town V Curzon Ashton
Chorley V AFC Telford United
Gainsborough Trinity V Salford City
Harrogate Town V York City
Kidderminster Harriers V Blyth Spartans
Leamington V Bradford Park Avenue
Nuneaton Town V Southport
Spennymoor Town V Alfreton Town
Stockport County V North Ferriby United

Sunday 24th September
FC United of Manchester V Tamworth