What Is Happening Across The National League On Saturday

The clock is ticking and time is running out and while some clubs want the hands to keep turning, others know there’s not a moment to lose.

So let’s break things down for you ahead of another absorbing weekend as we take a deep dive in what it all means at both ends of the table.

The title race

Is it now just a two team chase? This could be the weekend that tells us if there’s still legs in the race or if it’s a only one-horse gallop to the finishing line.

Barnet’s 11-point lead looks secure. After all, they’ve won their last seven and haven’t conceded in getting on for five hours of football.

But this is a tricky one for the would-be champions, and Altrincham traditionally love a home game against a big hitter. Have things fallen in the leaders’ favour at just the right time? Alty have lost three on the spin in front of their fans - and Phil Parkinson wants them to come out fighting.

York City can only win… and hope. But Braintree Town lick their lips at a title chaser coming to Cressing Road. The Iron have won three of their five matches and know a few more wins keep them up.

Forest Green Rovers will surely be out of the running if they leave AFC Fylde without all three points.

The play-off chase

A shocking midweek for a number of challengers confirmed what we already knew - a good run will get you in.

Gateshead, Rochdale, Altrincham and FC Halifax Town all lost when few thought they would and now they need to repair that damage.

Two of the teams sitting just below the pack meet and the winner of the huge clash between Eastleigh and Southend United will really fancy their chances after watching a very productive Tuesday unfold.

Another two sitting inside the top seven will trade blows. Oldham Athletic host FC Halifax Town and they’re separated by just a point.

After losing at home to Braintree, Gateshead will feel things have to be better against Tamworth as Rochdale, after losing badly to Boston United, won’t want to let another struggler better them. It’s a trip to Maidenhead United.

The relegation battle

After their stay of execution last weekend, defeat at in-form Aldershot Town will officially bring Ebbsfleet United’s National League stay to an end.

Boston United had sat second from bottom for all-but a few weeks - but they’ve won five of their last eight and now smell salvation. Can their incredible recovery continue at Hartlepool United?

AFC Fylde can’t afford many more off days, especially at home. Forest Green Rovers visit and they don’t have a great record at the grounds of teams in the bottom four.

Maidenhead United need to do better in front of their fans and Rochdale’s arrival on the back of defeat to Boston gives them that opportunity.

Dagenham & Redbridge and Wealdstone climbed out of the bottom four in midweek but know that the landscape changes at break-neck speed.

The Stones host Woking, while the Daggers travel across London to meet Sutton United looking to follow up their shock win at Halifax.

National League fixtures:
AFC Fylde v Forest Green Rovers
Aldershot Town v Ebbsfleet United
Altrincham v Barnet
Braintree Town v York City
Eastleigh v Southend United
Gateshead v Tamworth
Hartlepool United v Boston United
Maidenhead United v Rochdale
Oldham Athletic v FC Halifax Town
Solihull Moors v Yeovil Town
Sutton United v Dagenham & Red
Wealdstone v Woking