Promotion

With the season drawing to an exciting end, there is still a matter of settling one automatic promotion spot and four play-off places in the Blue Square Bet Premier. With the table looking so tight with just six games remaning, we preview and talk up each of the teams in contention chances..

AUTOMATIC PROMOTION

It's quite simply a two horse race, Fleetwood Town and Wrexham. Fleetwood have the advantage, 6 points clear of the the Welsh Club but Wrexham have a game in hand. If the Dragons were to win their game in hand they would be three points behind and the two sides meet on Tuesday 10th April, a match that could decide the title.

Odds (BlueSquare) to win the title:
Fleetwood - 2/9
Wrexham - 3/1

PLAY-OFFS

The play-off race is wide open and a matter of 8 teams fighting for 4 places. Either Wrexham or Fleetwood look set to take the second place, meaning the other three up for grabs.

Mansfield Town have been flying recently, scoring 13 goals in two games. They currently occupy the third position on 71 points with six games remaining. Other teams have games in hand on them (Luton & York) meaning they could slip down the table but their next four games, three of them are against teams fighting for relegation. 4/1 for promotion.

Southport are the divisions suprise package this year, and have shaken off the doubters by remaining consistent throughout. A key win at York last saturday shows that they are no pushovers. York and Luton do have games in hand over them but their six remaining games are winnable. 3 at home, 3 away to Barrow, Tamworth & Grimsby. 8/1 for promotion.

York City currently occupy the fifth and final play-off spot. They are currently three points off Southport, and four off Mansfield but have two games on hand, which could be key in their push. A vitally important game this Friday against Luton away, who also have only played 38 games. 9/2 for promotion.

Luton Town are only outside of the play-offs by the virtue of one goal. Once again another inconsistent season has meant that Town will be fighting for the play-offs, and like York the two games in hand could prove vital. Starting with fridays key game against York, Luton have 4 games at home in the run in. 19/5 for promotion.

Grimsby Town are an outside shout for the play-offs this season but have been playing some decent football. Their recent form is concerning, being unable to convert draws into wins has frustrated many. Six games left, would need to win at least five to stand a chance. 10/1 for promotion.

Kidderminster Harriers are in a similar position to Grimsby, six games left, all of which need to be pretty much won to keep the pressure on the teams above. They face Grimsby, Southport, Luton and Mansfield. So they could still spring a suprise. 22/1 for promotion.

Gateshead face an uphill battle for a play-off spot, but have a game on hand and a chance to close the gap. Will need to win most of their games remaining to stand a chance. 25/1 for promotion.

This weekend's perfect treble! 18/02/12

This weekend's perfect non-league treble: (Odds from BlueSquare)

Kidderminster Harriers (1.57) vs. Lincoln City

Kiddy currently sit in 7th and look set again to challenge for a play-off spot and under Steve Burr look comfortable at home. Lincoln despite improving under new manager David Holdsworth have already lost 11 of their away matches, only winning three, the joint worst in the division.

Dover Athletic (1.80) vs. Truro City

Dover are undefeated in seven matches and despite drawing their last home game, Nicky Forster's men have shown some real quality football this season and Truro in 11th position haven't won in three.

Gloucester City (1.67) vs. Vauxhall Motors

Gloucester are in mid-table position but have won their last two and face a team who have only won three away all season and in 20th position.

£5 returns £22.92!

Blue Square Bet Premier Preview, 6/12/11

AFC Telford vs. York

York fresh from the 7-0 thrashing of Kettering, face an inconsistent Telford side at The New Bucks Head. Telford will have been dissapointed with the defeat at Bath last saturday and know they will have to up their game tonight against a well orgainsed York side. The yorkshire side have plenty of goals in them, showing in their 7-0 win over Kettering last saturday, so Telford will need to defend well for any chance of a result. NLT Prediction: 1-2

Alfreton Town vs. Newport County

A clash near the bottom, Alfreton find themselves sitting second bottom after two straight defeats, Newport however have changed their fortunes around with two consecutive wins. The form book points to an away win but Newport will have to keep their wits about them in injury time, in which Alfreton have scored four times, including two against Hayes and Yeading. NLT Prediction: 1-3

Braintree vs. Hayes & Yeading

Again another clash nearer the bottom, Braintree find themselves 14th, whereas the visitors are 22nd. Braintree will be concerned after saturday's defeat means they haven't won in six, however Hayes find themselves on a worse run, having not won in 8. It all points to a draw, but Braintree will fancy themselves over a recently poor Hayes side.
NLT Prediction: 1-0

Ebbsfleet vs. Cambridge United

Fleet currently placed in 16th take on an in-form Cambridge side who sit 5th. The home side haven't won in four, but tend to score plenty of goals at home, three in their last home game. The visitors have Michael Gash in their ranks, the ex-fleet player will be desperate to get on the score sheet tonight. They have been playing their best football but will feel they need to win games like this in-order to really challenge for Promotion this year.
NLT Prediction: 1-3

Forest Green vs. Tamworth

This match would have been labelled a relegation scrap at the start of the season but both teams find themselves comfortably in midtable after some fine performances. Rovers, are unbeaten in seven league games and David Hockaday has urged the players to keep up their rich form. Tamworth will be buzzing after their fa cup win and next round match at Everton, but will be looking to concentrate on the league. Their away form isn't great but still have the players to do the damage.
NLT Prediction: 1-1

Grimsby vs. Mansfield Town

On paper this is the tie of tonight's fixtures. Grimsby will be dissapointed with their draw at Salisbury but scored seven in their last home game and have seemed to re-discovered their confidence. Mansfield are in 8th position and will be desperate to keep up pressure on the top five, but as seen in previous campaigns the Stags have failed to live up to expectations.
NLT Prediction: 2-0

Kettering vs. Darlington

It's been sad reading all about Kettering's demise and were at one point struggling to find a team for tonight's game. The home side are really struggling not just on the field but off it too. The away side will surely fancy their chances of victory and a win will keep their play-off ambitions alive.
NLT Prediction: 0-5

Kidderminster vs. Bath City

Kiddy are only three points off the play-off positions after overcoming an mid season blip. The harriers have plently of goals in them having scored three against Ebbsfleet. Bath are rock-bottom of the division but recently recorded a rare victory. City will look to set out a defensive stall and hope to score on the counter attack.
NLT Prediction: 2-0

Lincoln City vs. Luton Town

Lincoln will be up for Luton as the sides first meet in non-league football. David Holdsworth has recently turned around the fortunes of City but they still lie in 19th position. Luton slipped to an FA cup defeat to Cheltenham and will need consistency in the league to achieve their goal of promotion. Two ex-league clubs with different ambitions, surely only one outcome?
NLT Prediction: 1-2

Stockport vs. Gateshead
Stockport are in a dissapointing 21st position, and Jim Gannon's return couldn't inspire the team, slipping to a 7-0 defeat. Gateshead are a decent side but will be dissapointed missing out on a trip to Everton. Gateshead will be resiliant and will look to overcome saturday's poor performance with a victory.
NLT Prediction: 1-2

Wrexham vs. Southport

Easily the game of the night. Wrexham will be buzzing after their 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday. The Red Dragons put on a great performance to ensure a trip to Brighton in the next round, however sitting top of the league they will need to keep focus if they want to achieve automatic promotion. Could be a corker. Southport are in third position and playing their best football in the clubs history. Despite escaping relegation last year because of Rushden's dimise they will provide a stern test for leaders Wrexham and will look at last years win over the Welsh side as inspiration.
NLT Prediction: 2-0

FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Full-Times.

AFC Telford 5-0 Gainsborough
AFC Totton 3-2 Hanworth Villa
Alfreton Town 1-1 Lincoln City
Arlesey 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Bainsgstoke 2-1 Staines Town
Bishop's Stortford 1-2 Salisbury City
Chelmsford 1-1 Gloucester City
Darlington 1-1 Hinckley United
Dartford 1-2 Bromley
Dover 1-2 Bath City
Droyslden 0-0 Blyth Spartans
Easbourne Borough 1-2 East Thurrock United
Gateshead 3-0 Hebburn Town
Godalming Town 0-5 Maidenhead United
Grimsby Town 5-0 Ashington FC
Hayes & Yeading 2-6 Cambridge United
Kettering 3-1 Southend Manor
Kidderminster 0-0 Corby Town
Kidsgrove Athletic 0-2 Bradford Park Avenue
Luton Town 5-1 Hendon
Mansfield Town 1-1 Fleetwood Town
Nantwich Town 1-0 Nuneaton Town
Newport County 4-3 Braintree Town
Redbridge 2-0 Ebbsfleet United
Solihull 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Southport 1-0 Stockport County
Stourbridge 5-0 Rushall Olympic
Sutton United 3-3 Leatherhead
Tamworth 2-1 Kings Lynn
Weston-Super-Mare 2-3 Oxford City
Witton Albion 1-4 Barrow
Wrexham 2-1 York City

Can anyone slay the Dragons?

Wrexham have made a flying start to the season with 35 points from 16 games. Today's 4-0 win over Stockport County has sent a strong message to the rest of the league that the Reds are serious contenders for Promotion this season.
Whereas previous inconsistency's have hampered the Red Dragons' attempts for promotion, the impressive start to the season hasn't been helped with off-field problems.
The club came so close to not even starting the season, when it was announced they needed to raise £100,000 by 5pm on Monday August 8th. However, with the support of fans they managed to raise the money and began the season with a 1-1 draw against Cambridge.
As continued speculation about a possible takeover grew, the team on the field put together a six match winning run and clearly weren't distracted by the off-field problems.
A slight change of results saw Wrexham pick up just one point and had fans fearing for another inconsistent season. As it seemed that Wrexham had overcome any more off-field problems, they were soon to lose manager Dean Saunders to Doncaster.
Striker Andy Morrell was the unlikely caretaker replacement for Saunders, but carried on the free-flowing style of football that the Welsh side had been displaying earlier on in the season. Wins at Grimsby, Hayes and Gateshead showed the pedigree and fight typical of Morrell's playing style.
The Red Dragons proved they could handle the pressure at the top with a 4-0 win over County, even gaffer Morrell got on the scoresheet. The Welsh side are, if they keep up their form, serious promotion candidates but as previous campaigns have suggested, a season is contested over 46 games and if teams are to win a division they need to turn draws into wins, defeats into draws and stay consistent. Continuing with Luton away on Tuesday.

Midweek Accumulator Tip-off

Check Out Our £5 Midweek Accumulator Tip-off:

Mansfield Town (1.61) vs. AFC Telford.

The Stags are in fine form, winning their last 5 games in a row and now find themselves in 4th place, their home record is impressive and with Telford still finding their feet at this level, a home win seems the most likely outcome.

Cambridge United (1.80) vs. Ebbsfleet United

The U's have made a steady start to the season, the same could not be said about the visitors Ebbsfleet who find themselves 1 position off the drop zone after just 1 win all season. Cambridge will be on the back of an impressive performance at Gateshead. Cambridge could be too strong for Fleet.

Southport vs. Wrexham (2.20)

Wrexham have made a flying start to the season and find themselves in 3rd position, however they come up against Southport who are on form, winning their last 4 games. Wrexham will want to respond from Saturday's defeat and end Southport's winning streak. Not only does this pick boost the accumulator it also seems the most likely result.

£5 Bet Returns £32.71 - Odds From Blue Square.

AFC Top for New Year.

A solid AFC Wimbledon beat Eastbourne Borough 3-0 at Kingsmeadow, meaning they stay top of the league going into the New Year. Nwokeji, Wellard & Yussuf found the net for The Dons.

Elsewhere, Newport County moved up to second place with a 3-2 win at financially-threatened Kiddermister. Reid & an OG put County 2-0 up but Harriers came back fighting with Blair & Matt levelling the scores before Bignot netter an 82nd minute winner for the Welsh side.

Mansfield notched an impressive 5-1 win at Cambridge. Murray, Smith, Duffy, Coulson & Mitchley scored for the Stags whilst Robbie Willmott netted for the home side.

Fleetwood remained 5th with a 2-0 win over neighbours Southport, Elsewhere Forest Green got a vital 3 points against Bath with a 4-2 win.