Premier Preview: Nantwich test for Warrington

The Yellows have won four on the row, inflicting a first home defeat of the season on South Shields last week with a 2-1 victory.

Eight points separating the top four at present, and ahead of the game, Warrington manager Paul Carden admitted that they must focus on themselves and not the teams around them.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, he said: “We’ve just got to keep going. That’s all we can do.

“I could hear some of the South Shields fans on Saturday saying Farsley had scored late on. We can only control what’s in our hands and that is Nantwich on Saturday.”

Third-placed Shields will look to get back to winning ways as they take on Bamber Bridge for the second time in three weeks. Mick Taylor’s side recovered from two goals down to rescue a point from their previous meeting, sparking a three-game winless run for the Mariners.

Elsewhere, current table-toppers Farsley Celtic host Witton Albion, while Scarborough take on Mickelover Sport at the Flamingo Land Stadium.

Despite being top of the table, Farley manager Adam Lakeland insists that his side can’t underestimate 11th placed Albion after narrowly scraping a 3-2 win earlier in the season.

He said: “It’s another tough game, Witton are a good side, they’re very organised and very disciplined. We had a very close game with Witton at their place, but we had a couple of players missing on the day.

“All we can do is just prepare right and do the right things.”

Further down the table, relegation threatened North Ferriby United and Hednesford Town both face difficult games this weekend. The league’s basement side play host to play-off chasing Gainsborough Trinity, while the Pitmen travel to eighth-placed Buxton FC, who have lost just once in their last eight games.

There could be some jockeying for position in the middle of the pack, with Hyde United and Whitby Town facing off, while Stalybridge Celtic and Lancaster City meet at Bower Fold.

Grantham Town will bid to end a run of just four points from their last six games when they take on Matlock Town, while Marine - the most in-form side in the division - host Workington.

The final game of the round sees Stafford Rangers travel to Basford United, with the Greenwich Avenue side desperate for the three points in a bid to keep their faint play-off aspirations alive.

Words by James Messenger