Premier Preview: Another big game at the top

Farsley suffered injury time heartbreak in their top of the table clash with South Shields last weekend, which meant the Mariners went three points clear at the summit, leaving Farsley level on points with Warrington and Nantwich.

Just three points behind that trio are Scarborough, who seem to be putting their indifferent form either side of Christmas behind them, having beaten Warrington and got a draw away at Matlock in the last fortnight.

Last week was Farsley’s first league defeat for three months and they have already beaten the Seadogs twice this season - 3-1 in the league and 2-1 in the Integro League Cup.

Farsley boss Adam Lakeland said: “It’ll be a tough game, they’ve got a lot of good players.

“There’s a little bit of spice there following the first two games when we played each other, but we came out on top in both of those games.

“We go up there expecting another difficult game but it’s up to us now to react positively from our defeat last week.”

Matlock’s hopes of a play-off place have taken a bit of a battering in recent weeks following their fine autumn surge up the table.

They sit 11 points off Scarborough in fifth, but they will once again have a major say in the make-up of the top places as they welcome previous leaders Nantwich Town to Causeway Lane.

The Dabbers have had two weekends off and will be desperate to make up for lost time, especially now they have former Premier League and Jamaica international striker Ricardo Fuller in their ranks until the end of the season.

The latest team to try and upset South Shields’ incredible home record will be Whitby Town.

The leaders have won 12 out of 12 at home this season to put them top of the pile, and they are on a six-game winning streak home and away right now.

Warrington will be looking to get back to winning ways after three games without one, as they welcome Grantham Town to Cantilever Park.

The Gingerbreads won 3-0 on their last visit to Warrington in last season’s play-off semi-finals, though the Yellows did win 2-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Grantham boss Richard Thomas said: "Warrington are a good side and are always near the top of the table so this won't be an easy game for us.

"I know this ground brings back good memories for the fans from the play-off experience last year and I know the lads want a repeat of that this season by getting the victory.

"We will be up against it but by being more disciplined and by working hard for each other we can get a result."

There’s a relegation six-pointer at Borough Park as Mickleover Sports host Workington.

The Reds picked up a much needed win over Bamber Bridge last weekend and currently sit nine points behind Sports - albeit with four games in hand.

Mickleover are boosted by the return of Nathan Jarman following suspension.

Two teams at the bottom of the form table meet at the Chadwick Stadium as basement dwellers North Ferriby United welcome Basford United for their first ever visit.

Basford have lost seven of their last eight which has left their play-off hopes in tatters, while North Ferriby have lost seven in a row since their win over Grantham.

Ferriby are 18 points from safety and will probably need at least 10 wins from their last 15 games to have a chance of staying up.

Skipper James Piercy said: “Basford will be a tough test for us but what we’ve got to do is remain 100% concentrated throughout the game and ensure that we can take the chances we get to get a foothold in the game and get a positive result.
 
“They are having a run of poor results and we have to try to make sure they don’t kick-start their season on Saturday.”

Lancaster will be hoping the arrival of Paul Dawson from Bamber Bridge inspires them to a home win over Witton Albion to help with their relegation worries, while Stafford Rangers will be looking to repeat their exploits of last week’s 5-0 win at Grantham Town with a trip to Gainsborough Trinity.

Hednesford Town moved away from the bottom three with a win last time out, but with only five points separating Bamber Bridge in 13th and Lancaster in 20th, no one can rest on their laurels.

The Pitmen travel to Bamber Bridge on Saturday, and whoever wins that one will be looking at breathing a bit easier in mid-table rather than looking over their shoulder.

Hyde United have quietly moved up to 7th in the table as they look to put pressure on the play-off places, and they welcome Marine to Ewen Fields.

Marine are unbeaten in four, while the Tigers will be wanting to bridge the 10 point gap between them and fifth place.

Just a point behind Hyde are Buxton, who have won just one of their last five, and welcome Stalybridge Celtic.