By Kai Welch
With vital games at the top and bottom of the National League this weekend, the NLP has narrowed it down to these five as Star Games in Sunday’s edition.
Barnet v Rochdale
Having been relegated in 2023, Rochdale are in their second consecutive season in the National League and a win at Barnet will give them all the confidence that they can return to the EFL this season.
The Bees come into this one on the back of two defeats on the road to both Solihull Moors and York City so will be keen to return to winning ways. They will be confident however being back at The Hive having not dropped a point there all season as they look to get their promotion charge back on track.
Rochdale will prove no easy task for Dean Brennan’s side though as they sit just three points behind them in fifth place and have lost just once in their last five league games.
Dale’s number nine Kairo Mitchell is sure to be a threat with nine goals in 15 games, the league’s second highest goalscorer.
Ebbsfleet United v Wealdstone
This weekend sees two of the current bottom four meet in Kent in an important game for both.
Following consecutive trips to the top two in Forest Green and York, Harry Watling’s side will be glad to be back at home and will see this as a real opportunity to earn their second win of the season.
After losing manager Stuart Maynard midway through last season, and star man Tarryn Allarakhia leaving for Rochdale in the summer, it was always going to be a tricky campaign for the Stones.
However, on the back of a 3-2 victory against Braintree Town and a brace for Sam Ashford, the forward and his side should be full of confidence heading into this one.
FC Halifax Town v York City
A tasty Yorkshire derby to look forward to at The Shay on Saturday afternoon in what should be an enthralling encounter.
The visitors York will travel to Halifax on the back of a massive 3-1 success over promotion favourites Barnet in midweek and look to extend this magnificent form in manager Adam Hinshelwood’s first full season at the LNER Stadium.
City are also yet to lose away from home this season and with a big travelling fanbase expected, will see no reason why this record should end on Saturday.
The hosts Halifax are sure to be stubborn opposition as the Shaymen find themselves within touching distance of the play-off spots.
Both games ended in a 1-1 draw between the sides last season.
Gateshead v Solihull Moors
Another blockbuster affair that the National League has served up for us this weekend as fourth take on seventh in the North East.
Carl Magnay has not long taken over the reins for the Heed after Rob Elliot’s departure to Crawley Town but would have won a lot of fans faith with a huge 1-0 away victory at Sutton in midweek.
Regan Booty has six assists in the league this season, more than any other player in this division, and will be key to making it two wins in a week for Gateshead.
The Moors look to have found their feet in recent weeks after a mixed start to the season. Last year’s play-off finalists have had no trouble finding the net, especially Jack Stevens, who has scored five in his last four. This included two in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Woking. Gateshead will do well to keep him off the scoresheet.
Oldham Athletic v Dagenham & Redbridge
After a couple of disappointing seasons at Boundary Park, it appears Oldham finally have got to terms with the National League as they currently find themselves in fifth after 15 games.
A 2-2 draw away to Maidenhead will be looked at positively from Micky Mellon’s side as York Road is notoriously a tough place to go. The Latics will be looking at striker Mike Fondop-Talum for goals, with six to his name already this campaign.
The Daggers are always a tricky side to play and have held Oldham to a draw in their last three meetings.
Having been denied victory in the dying moments of the game against Eastleigh last time out, Dagenham will be fired up and will prove a difficult challenge for Oldham.
Saturday’s fixtures (all games KO 3pm unless stated):
AFC Fylde v Altrincham (5.30pm)
Barnet v Rochdale
Braintree Town v Sutton United
Eastleigh v Boston United
Ebbsfleet United v Wealdstone
FC Halifax Town v York City
Gateshead v Solihull Moors
Hartlepool United v Aldershot Town
Oldham Athletic v Dagenham & Redbridge
Southend United v Tamworth
Woking v Forest Green Rovers
Yeovil Town v Maidenhead United
Read up on all the weekend’s National League matches in Sunday’s NLP!
