By Mark Stillman
Four points separate the top six, and five of those teams will be involved in featured matches this weekend.
Eastleigh v Forest Green Rovers
Eastleigh host Forest Green Rovers in a top seven clash in Hampshire.
Former goalkeeper Kelvin Davies would have been delighted with a clean sheet at York City last week, but they’ve only recorded one shutout at the Silverlake Stadium. The Spitfires have drawn their last two but are one of four sides unbeaten at home. They’ve netted in all six at their venue, averaging just over two goals a game.
Charlie McCann’s fourth of the season helped Forest Green to victory over Hartlepool United last Saturday. Steve Cotterill’s men lost their last away match at Oldham, this weekend will be their ninth on the road and fifth against a top seven side. Rovers have the joint second best defensive record in the league – eight of their nine conceded have been in the first or last 15 minutes of games.
Barnet v Boston United
Barnet are currently enjoying their best form at the Hive Stadium.
They’ve won their last six in North London and are looking to win seven home league games in a row for the first time since August-September 2004. Dean Brennan’s team take on Boston on the back of five straight wins, it’s 20 years since they last claimed six successive. The current league leaders won the title that season.
In contrast, Boston United are winless in five, and have conceded two or more in their last three. This is their first trip to the Hive, the two last met on New Year’s Day 2007. That League Two clash finished 2-1 to Boston at their old York Street ground. Ismail Yakubu put through his own net to earn the Pilgrims success, though they were relegated from the Football League four months later.
Gateshead v Wealdstone
Managerless Gateshead host Wealdstone having won their last three in all competitions.
Tuesday’s defeat of Middlesbrough U21 in the National League Cup was under interim boss Ben Clark, following Rob Elliot’s switch to Crawley Town. Heed have scored the opening goal in 10 games this season in all comps, winning eight. They’ll be hoping this appointment from within will see them continue their flying start – they’ve been in the top seven all season.
The Stones have lost their last three games against Gateshead and are winless in seven. A last minute goal from FC Halifax Town’s Tom Pugh deprived them of three points last week, they also saw Adrian Mariappa and Jaydn Mundle-Smith dismissed, the latter after full-time. The draw was Wealdstone’s fourth from six on the road in 2024/25.
Ebbsfleet United v Rochdale
Bottom markers Ebbsfleet United did the double over Rochdale last term in the first league meetings between the two.
Ebbsfleet won their first game under Harry Watling and overcame West Bromwich Albion U21 on penalties on Tuesday in the National League Cup, but have lost their last three in the league, all by the odd goal. The Fleet have only been in the lead once this term – their sole success against Hartlepool United last month.
Rochdale arrive in Kent full of confidence with six wins in eight. Another early goal saw off Braintree Town last week, their fifth in the opening 15 minutes. Kairo Mitchell has scored nine last in his last seven outings. Only Forest Green have scored more away goals (having played two more) while Dale also boast the joint second best defensive record in the National League.
Oldham Athletic v Solihull Moors
Oldham Athletic have won their last five in all competitions and are unbeaten in nine.
The Latics are looking for a fifth straight league win for the first time since their League One days in 2008. They’re unbeaten at Boundary Park this season and even if they lose Saturday they’ll remain in the top seven.
Solihull Moors are winless in three but unbeaten in four away, winning three. Andy Whing described last week’s 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge as one of their best performances of the season. His side have only failed to score twice away in their last 30 since the start of last campaign.
Saturday’s fixtures (KO 3pm unless stated):
AFC Fylde v Aldershot Town
Barnet v Boston United
Braintree Town v Altrincham
Eastleigh v Forest Green Rovers
Ebbsfleet United v Rochdale
FC Halifax Town v Tamworth
Gateshead v Wealdstone
Hartlepool United v Sutton United
Oldham Athletic v Solihull Moors
Southend United v Maidenhead United
Woking v York City (5.30pm)
Yeovil Town v Dagenham & Redbridge
Read up on all the games in Sunday’s NLP!
