Premier Preview: Big hitters meet in the north east

Resurgent Matlock Town have stormed up the league off the back of an 11 game unbeaten run and now find themselves within reach of the play-off places, while South Shields currently sit on the cusp of the top five.

The North East side have won all seven of their home league games so far, and Gladiators boss Dave Frecklington is under no illusions as to the size of their task.

He said: "We're under no illusions that we face a tough game on Saturday against a very good side with an excellent home record playing in front of a big crowd.

“But the performances and results we got at Warrington and Nantwich who were both second in the table and unbeaten at home at the time prove we're capable of beating anyone.

“We don't fear anyone in this league, we've got 24 points from the last 30 and are the form team.

“South Shields will probably be looking at that as well. We're a bit sceptical about the enforced break we had last weekend, when you're in a run like this you don't want a break but it did give time for some knocks and bruises to clear up for if the Basford game had been on we'd have probably still had a few players out .

“Time will obviously tell whether the break has had any effect on us but the lads all worked hard in training again on Tuesday and are desperate to carry on from where we left off."

Two other teams in the promotion chase go head to head at Greenwich Avenue as Basford United, another team with a fine home record, take on leaders Scarborough Athletic, no doubt smarting from their home reverse at the hands of Gainsborough Trinity last weekend.

The other three teams in the top echelons of the league face away trips - Warrington Town at lowly Marine, Farsley Celtic at Mickleover Sports and Nantwich Town at Whitby.

Having lost their management team to Halesowen Town during the week, Hednesford make the trip to Cumbria to face Workington, who sit second from bottom in the table after a poor start to the season.

North Ferriby United will be hoping to record only their third win of the season as they welcome Lancaster City, having finally snapped their winless streak by winning away at Grantham Town last week.

Buxton are seven without a win in the league and they travel to Stafford Rangers, who themselves have only won one of their last nine.

Stalybridge Celtic travel to Bamber Bridge as they try to cling on to the leading pack while Grantham travel to Hyde United to round-off the 12 games this weekend.

To view all the weekend's games, visit the EVO-STIK League fixtures page.