By Mark Stillman
Step 1 returns this weekend after FA Cup commitments last week, and the NLP will be giving extra coverage to five of the 12 games.
Solihull Moors v Barnet
League leaders Barnet will be seeking revenge on Moors after a 4-0 mauling in the play-off semi-finals six months ago.
Solihull are unbeaten in four in all competitions. Former Barnet stopper Laurie Walker saved a penalty in their shootout success over Altrincham in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round replay on Tuesday, but they’ve not won at home in the league since 17 August vs Maidenhead – a run covering five games.
Barnet, with former Solihull glovesman Nick Hayes between the sticks, have won their last seven in all competitions. It’s their longest winning sequence since 11 across September-October 1990, the year they won promotion to the Football League for the first time.
Both league meetings last season ended in draws, the most recent a 2-2 in the West Midlands in March.
Rochdale v Southend United
Saturday’s televised treat is from the Crown Oil Arena as Southend United will look to build on last week’s impressive away display.
Rochdale stole their thunder with a 4-1 FA Cup hammering at AFC Fylde, where Kairo Mitchell’s hat-trick took him to 12 goals in nine matches. They’ve excelled at the other end too, only York City and Forest Green Rovers have conceded fewer than Dale’s 11.
Mitchell has now outscored Southend’s Gus Scott-Morriss, but nine is still a stunning return for a wing-back. They’ve netted in their last six away games since a 0-0 at Hartlepool United in mid-August. Last week’s victory at Eastleigh sealed progression in the FA Cup, an ideal early birthday present for boss Kevin Maher, who turned 48 on Thursday.
Rochdale are unbeaten in their last seven contests with Southend, who have won just one of last nine visits to Crown Oil Arena, that in April 2014.
Altrincham v Gateshead
Carl Mangay’s first game in charge of Gateshead takes him to Altrincham, with both keen to recover from FA Cup replay midweek exits.
Alty are unbeaten in four at home in the league but haven’t built on last year’s play-off finish. They’ve lost four and drawn two against sides currently above them and sit three points outside the top seven, the only side in the top 11 with a negative goal difference.
Mangay arrives in the Heed hotseat on the back of shock FA Cup exit to Step 4 Hednesford Town on Tuesday night. They’ve only won one of their last six away in all competitions but have only failed to score in one match all season. They last failed to net away in April at AFC Fylde.
The last encounter was a thrilling 3-2 win for Gateshead in March at Moss Lane, where Kain Adom notched a late winner in front of over 3,000 at Moss Lane. The away side has won the last three in this fixture.
Sutton United v Oldham Athletic
Sutton play at home for the first time this month against an in form Oldham Athletic side.
The U’s have been on the road on the last three Saturdays, concluding with FA Cup progression at Step 3 Chertsey Town last week. It’s one defeat in six for Steve Morison’s troops who tend to start strongly – scoring 12 and conceding just five in the first half of games.
Goalscoring hasn’t been a problem for Oldham either – they’ve netted in all 13 league games and hit Halifax for four in the FA Cup last week. It’s just one defeat in 10 for the Latics, who’ll move seven points ahead of play-off chasing Sutton if they’re victorious in Surrey.
This weekend is the first non-league meeting between the two. Oldham won 2-1 on their only visit to the VBS Community Stadium in August 2021, Junior Luamba 96th minute winner deciding the League Two tussle.
Boston United v FC Halifax Town
Boston United’s woeful home form hit a new low on Tuesday against Gainsborough Trinity.
A 4-0 defeat in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round replay was bad enough, let alone against Lincolnshire neighbours who are struggling two leagues below. Boston have collected just two points at home all season which has kept them in the bottom four for most of the campaign.
FC Halifax Town also exited the FA Cup. Their last three games have contained 15 goals but the Shaymen have kept three clean sheets on the road. They’re just a point outside the play-off places.
This weekend is the first between these two in the National League, and Halifax’s first visit to the Jakemans Community Stadium. Doubles for Tom Denton and Alex Simmons gave Town a 4-1 win at Boston eight years ago this weekend in National League North.
Saturday’s fixtures (KO 3pm unless stated):
Aldershot Town v Eastleigh
Altrincham v Gateshead
Boston United v FC Halifax Town
Dagenham & Redbridge v AFC Fylde
Forest Green Rovers v Braintree Town
Maidenhead United v Hartlepool United
Rochdale v Southend United (5.30pm)
Solihull Moors v Barnet
Sutton United v Oldham Athletic
Tamworth v Woking
Wealdstone v Yeovil Town
York City v Ebbsfleet United
Read up on all the weekend’s National League matches in Sunday’s NLP!
