Premier Preview: Turbulence at the top

Buxton will host Radcliffe at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium as they look to maintain and bolster their two point advantage over South Shields.

Their form heading into the business end of the season has been very impressive, with the Bucks currently on an eight game unbeaten streak, winning six of these encounters.

Their opponents, Radcliffe, sit in 14th place, putting in a solid performance over Basford last weekend with a 3-0 win. They have claimed six points from their last five fixtures and face a very tough test again this weekend.

Hot on the heels of Buxton and looking to bounce back, South Shields will travel to Basford United. South Shields’ woes on the road continue, their two previous away fixtures have not gone to plan, suffering a late defeat to Ashton United and being held to a 1-1 draw at Stafford last weekend which means that the Mariners have only claimed 7 points from their last eight away fixtures.

Matlock have also hit a stumbling block coming towards the business end of the season, earning 7 points from their last seven outings. Nevertheless, The Gladiators sit just one point behind South Shields and three behind Buxton, so will be looking to improve their form as they host Atherton Collieries at the Proctor Cars Stadium.

Scarborough will be looking to continue their fantastic 11-game unbeaten run as they welcome Stafford Rangers to the East Coast, who themselves are pushing for promotion, sitting just five points behind Warrington.

Occupying the last play-off spot, Warrington Town journey to Stalybridge Celtic and will be aiming to replicate the reverse fixture earlier in the season, winning the tie 3-0. The Yellows have struggled to maintain a good run of form lately, failing to secure their first three-game consecutive win streak as they were beaten 2-0 at Morpeth Town in a midweek fixture.

The battle is heating up just outside of the play-off positions. Whitby Town, who are three points behind Warrington face a long venture to Witton, who will be hoping to avoid relegation.

FC United are without a win in four games and will be aiming to rectify this with a victory away at Nantwich Town, while Bamber Bridge host bottom of the league Grantham Town. The Brig are currently on a four game loss streak, the Gingerbreads on the other hand have found a late run of form as they look to steer clear of relegation, beating Morpeth Town 3-2 last weekend.

Elsewhere towards the middle of the table, Morpeth Town host Mickleover who are currently in 18th place. The Highwaymen’s midweek victory against Warrington was their first in three league games, moving them within two points of Bamber Bridge.

Lancaster City will welcome Hyde United to the Giant Axe, whose late run of form has seen them pull away from the basement of the league, winning 7 points from their last five fixtures, while the Dolly Blues will be expecting a tough game as they are currently on a three game loss streak in the league.

Photo credits: Darren Murphy