
The National League South is back after last weekend’s FA Trophy second round - which saw a number of the division’s teams knocked out by lower league opposition.
By Steven Oldham
This weekend’s fixtures provide an opportunity for teams such as Chippenham Town and Concord Rangers to bounce back from Trophy disappointment.
League leaders Dartford got a first win in six last time out, and they hold a one point advantage over nearest rivals Oxford City.
Read on for your weekend preview and match odds courtesy of Betfred.
It’s top versus bottom as Steve King’s side take on Billericay Town at Princes Park.
By all rights, it should be a home banker. Billericay are on a six game losing streak and have only won twice in the league all season.
However, Jody Brown’s side pushed promotion chasing Maidstone United all the way in last weekend’s Trophy fixture before being knocked out on penalty kicks.
Dartford also needed a penalty shootout to knock out Bath City after a goalless draw, and have failed to score in four of their last seven.
You would still favour a home win, but it’s unlikely to be a cricket score.
Home win 4/11, Draw 10/3, Away win 11/2
These two sides will want to wash away their shock Trophy defeats in this match.
The Beavers became Plymouth Parkway’s latest victims at Bolitho Park, while Hemel were also being shown up by Stourbridge, going out on penalties.
Both sides had been in good form, with Hampton & Richmond only losing one in their last ten games. Previously bottom, Hemel are now 15th, although they lost their last match to Dartford 3-2.
A home win is more likely, but there is value to be found if you think The Tudors will recover from their Trophy hangover quicker.
Home win 8/13, Draw 11/4, Away win 16/5
This promises to be one of the games of the weekend as fourth plays third at Champion Hill.
The two sides are level on 25 points, with the visitors one place higher thanks to a better goal difference.
However, both sides have shown signs of a slight wobble in recent weeks.
Hamlet did progress in the FA Trophy last weekend, but have lost and drawn their last two league games.
Ebbsfleet were knocked out of the Trophy by Cray Wanderers last weekend and have lost three games back-to-back in all competitions.
Neither side will be panicking just yet, but with the potential for either of these sides to go top with a victory, the importance of the game cannot be underestimated.
Home win 21/10, Draw 12/5, Away win Evens
Both of these sides quietly progressed in the FA Trophy last weekend in confidence boosting results.
Both of these sides are in the bottom half, with Slough losing a five game unbeaten streak last time out to Eastbourne Borough.
It was a first win in six games for Tonbridge, with Joe Turner scoring the game’s only goal as his side avoided a banana skin at Canvey Island.
There have been signs of recovery for Tonbridge after a four game losing streak ended with two league draws and the FA Trophy win.
Both sides have shown improvement recently, with Tonbridge now chasing a first league win in seven attempts.
Home win 10/11, Draw 12/5, Away win 23/10
Chippenham Town vs Dorking Wanderers (H 13/5, D5/2, A 4-5)
Concord Rangers vs Braintree Town (H Evens, D 5/2, A 2/1)
Havant & Waterlooville vs Bath City (H1-2, D 3/1, A 4/1)
Hungerford Town vs Oxford City (H2/1, D 23/10, A 21/20)
Welling United vs Eastbourne Borough (H 13/5, D 11/4, A 8/11)
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