S/East Preview: Top five battle as margins get tighter

By James Gordon

A full round of fixtures return to the S/East Division, including a battle of third versus fifth.

It’s a top five battle when Cleethorpes Town host Stocksbridge Park Steels, with just two points separating the sides in third versus fourth respectively.

The hosts head into the fixture unbeaten in their last five league fixtures, but most recently suffered a 6-1 defeat to NPL Premier Division side Morpeth Town in the FA Trophy first qualifying round, whilst the Steels also recently fell short 3-0 to Brighouse Town in the League Cup in a rare Monday night fixture.

Table toppers Carlton Town will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 FA Trophy defeat to Matlock Town, with Tyler Blake scoring his side’s only goal of the fixture, as they travel to 16th-placed Glossop North End. The visitors have a record of eight wins, 2 draws and just one loss and are three-points above next best Leek Town in second.

The Blues themselves host 11th-placed Lincoln United on the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over Chasetown, with goals from Timothy Grice and Robert Stephenson. Their opponents in the Whites most recently suffered a 5-0 defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic.

Sheffield FC lately celebrated their 162nd birthday and received birthday wishes from some of the world’s biggest footballing names, including Italy captain Giorgio Chellini and former Premier League and Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. They travel to Sutton Coldfield Town, who sit 19th in the table with two wins in seven.

With two wins in their last three in all competitions, Kidsgrove will also be boosted by the re-siging of goalkeeper Dominic Kurasik, as well as the loan extension of Ben Hart from Burton Albion, and they are set to host Freckly Athletic with just one-point separating the sides in the league table.

Fourth-placed Ilkeston, recently adding Jamie Walker on a three-moan loan from Basford United, host Loughborough Dynamo whilst Spalding United face Stamford.

At the foot of the table, Market Drayton Town face Wisbech Town just three places above them.

Harvey Howell recently made a permanent move to Newcastle Town, and they face Belper Town who sit eighth in the division.

Elsewhere, Worksop Town face Chasetown in a battle of 9th vs 13th respectively.

Where next?

City of Liverpool sign Hynes City of Liverpool have announced the signing of Liam Hynes.
N/West Preview: Top of the table clash in weekend's action A full round of action returns to the N/West Division following the FA Trophy, with ten fixtures across the league.

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