Premier Preview: Two more top of the table tussles

New leaders Nantwich Town welcome South Shields to Cheshire, a week after displacing Scarborough Athletic at the top on the same afternoon Shields plundered five past Matlock Town to end their unbeaten run.

Two of the sides in the chasing pack in the play-offs meet at Throstle Nest, as Farsley Celtic host Basford United.

Basford boss Martin Carruthers said: “We know this will be our toughest test of the season.

“They have quality in abundance all over the pitch and they are serious contenders for automatic promotion this season.

“Like ourselves they have recently beaten Conference North opposition Alfreton and are also in the 1st round proper of the FA Trophy on the 15th.

“They will be favourites for this game and I am sure they will be looking to avenge the defeat at our place earlier in the season when they led 3-1 at half-time only for us to come back and win that game 4-3.

“I am sure it will be a hard-fought game and hopefully we can pick up a positive result on the day.”

Scarborough, who have lost three of their last four in the league, will look to get on back track with a home game against Hyde United.

Gainsborough Trinity take their unbeaten run to mid-table Lancaster City, while Warrington Town will be hunting a third successive win when they welcome bottom club North Ferriby United to Cantilever Park.

Bamber Bridge have settled in to life in the Premier Division well, if not as spectacularly as some of the other promoted sides.

They travel to a Witton Albion side desperately trying to catch up both in games and in points after enjoying lengthy runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy this season.

Brig boss Mick Taylor, who took over at the end of October following the departure of Neil Reynolds to FC United, addressed the fans at a Q&A last week.

He said: “I think it’s gone well. It’s probably gone better than I thought it would if I’m honest, the way everyone at the club has acted has filled me with optimism.

“I just never realised I’d be on the phone as much as I am!”

Two of the league’s strugglers meet at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium, as last season’s play-off finalists Grantham Town entertain Marine.

Marine are winless in their last eight league games, while the Gingerbreads have lost nine of their last 10, a run only broken up by a 4-1 win over Workington three weeks ago.

Workington have won just one of their last 10 too, and they will look to build on last week’s win over Hednesford Town when they travel to a Matlock Town side smarting at the manner their unbeaten run was ended at South Shields last week.

Elsewhere, managerless Hednesford Town host Whitby Town and Stafford Rangers travel to Stalybridge Celtic.