From Shields to Spenny – five local games to watch
Friday night Northern League football and two key clashes in both the National League North and Northern Premier League come under the radar for this week’s Five to Watch...
Whickham v West Allotment Celtic
Venue: Glebe Sports Ground Date:Friday25thFebruary Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One Kick-off: 7.30pm
Go for the consistently warm welcome in the clubhouse, enjoy the rather lovely sausagerollsonsaleinthecafe and stay for what should be a goal-laden affair between two sidesthathaveimprovedafter slow starts to the season.
Whickham have lost just twice in the eleven league games overseen by Tony Fawcett since the former Whitley Bay joint-manager replaced Mark Convery.
That has taken the Lang Jacks into mid-table and they could move into the top eight with a win on Friday night.
Their visitors have hit a bumpy patch of form with just one win in their last five buteventhatpoorrunisavast improvement on their difficult re-introduction to life in theNorthernLeague’stoptier.
After securing promotion last season, Jay Bates men failed to win in their first 10 league games of the season - but they have since shown they can provide a severe test for anyone in the league.
Player to watch: Nathan Greenwood (Whickham)
Blyth Spartans v AFC Fylde
Venue: Croft Park
Date: Saturday 26th February
Competition: Vanarama National League North Kick-off: 3pm
Southport is never an easy place to visit but Terry Mitchell’s side were worthy 3-2 winnersattheplay-offcandidates on Tuesday night thanks to goalsfromSunderlandloanee Patrick Almond, JJ O’Donnell and Lewis McNall.
Theywillhavetobeattheir best once again this weekend when Fylde visit Croft Park looking to bounce back from their surprise home defeat
against Darlington.
That seemed to all but end the Coasters hopes of a lateseason title push - but they remain in the hunt for a playoff spot and that makes them very dangerous opponents for a Spartans side looking to widen the gap between themselvesandtheNationalLeague North relegation place.
Player to watch: JJ O’Donnell (Blyth Spartans)
Spennymoor Town v Gloucester City
Venue: Brewery Field Date: Saturday 26th February
Competition: Vanarama National League North Kick-off: 3pm
Tuesday night’s impressive win at Chester will have pleased Spennymoor Town joint-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley for two reasons.
Firstly, they saw their current employers earn three points against their former club, but more importantly, it kepttheMoorshopesofpushing for a top-seven spot very much alive.
They remain nine points adrift of Hereford, who currently occupy the sixth and final play-off spot, but do hold three games in hand on The Bulls.
Every game is crucial for Spenny and that is why they can’t afford to take Saturday’s home clash against struggling Gloucester lightly.
Any manager in a highlycompetitive National League North will tell you every game is dangerous at this level - but the Moors will be expected to claim a win to boost their hopes of a push for a play-off spot.
Player to watch: Glen Taylor (Spennymoor Town)
SouthShieldsvNantwich Town
Venue: 1st Cloud Arena Date: Saturday 26th February
Competition: Pitching-In NorthernPremierLeaguePremier Division
Kick-off: 3pm
For all of the concerns over their recent form, South Shields head into Saturday’s home game with Nantwich
Town sat at the top of the NPL Premier Division table.
The Mariners racked up what could be their most important win of the season when they claimed all three points in Tuesday’s home game with fellow title rivals Matlock Town.
That win moved them two points clear of the Gladiators, who face a tough-looking trip to FC United of Manchester this weekend.
Second-placedBuxtonalso have a challenging fixture on the horizon as they prepare to visit Atherton Collieries on Saturday.
Anyslipsbytheirtwomain title rivals will mean the Mariners have to take advantage of a favourable looking home meetingwithstrugglingNantwich.
That does not come without a warning as the Dabbers haverecentlytroubledin-form Morpeth Town.
Playertowatch:SamHodgson (South Shields)
Stockton Town v Sheffield
Venue: Map Group UK Stadium
Date: Saturday 26th February
Competition: Pitching-In NorthernPremierLeagueEast Division
Kick-off: 3pm
Stockton Town’s push for a play-off place in the East Division may have taken a hit with defeat at Dunston UTS last weekend - but that should not detract from an impressive first season in step four. Michael Dunwell’s side head into Saturday’s home game with Sheffield occupying the fourth and final play-off place and a four-point buffer to sixth-placed Worksop Town.
InKevinHayesandMichael Roberts, they have two of the top goalscorers in the division and possess a lot of the experienceneededtonegotiatewhat willbeanintriguingendtothe season.
A big crowd will be expected for a home game Stockton willexpecttowinandwinwell - and the form of the likes of Hayes and Roberts will be key.
Player to watch: Kevin Hayes (Stockton Town)