The National League South continues apace this Saturday with a near-complete fixture list.
Playoff contenders Eastbourne Borough meet title challengers Maidstone United in arguably the pick of the weekend’s games. Read on for your weekend preview of the key games and match odds courtesy of Betfred.
By Steven Oldham
Form teams meet at Priory Lane
Two of the division’s in-form teams meet as Eastbourne host Maidstone.
Eastbourne have picked up 11 points from the last 15 available, while Maidstone are unbeaten since November. Their points scoring run has now stretched to 12 games, and they have a game in hand on leaders Dorking Wanderers.
The goals of Charley Kendall and Joan Luque - who have 14 and 13 respectively to date - have proved key to their sides this season.
Stones have only lost once on their travels to date, although Eastbourne won the reverse fixture in October 2-0.
Match odds: Home 23/10, Draw 12/5, Away 10/11
Leaders Dorking look to shake off shock defeat
Dorking Wanderers will want to get back to winning ways at Bath City after suffering a first defeat in 11 games last time out.
The NLS leaders have had their margin cut to three points after a surprise 3-1 loss to Tonbridge Angels.
Wanderers are comfortably the league’s top scorers with 63 goals to date - averaging well over two per game.
Bath are without a win in three and find themselves in 16th, ten points away from the playoffs but well clear of the dropzone.
Dorking were 4-1 winners the last time the two sides met.
Match odds: Home 3/1, Draw 13/5, Away 7/10
Saints host Braintree after Ebbsfleet humbling
St Albans City will look to boost their promotion charge as they host Braintree Town.
Ian Allinson’s side have at least two games in hand over all the teams above them in the table - but need to be winning games like this if they are to maintain interest in going up.
Saints will look to put their midweek 5-0 thrashing at Ebbsfleet behind them quickly. They’d previously kept back-to-back clean sheets in a pair of 1-0 wins.
Braintree have edged closer to safety in recent weeks, with The Iron unbeaten in five - albeit with four draws.
Nevertheless, Ryan Maxwell’s side hold the advantage over Billericay to avoid the drop - three points ahead, with a better goal difference and a game in hand.
Match odds: Home 8/11, Draw 13/5, Away 11/4
Hamlet continue playoff push at Billericay
Dulwich Hamlet picked up a first win in four midweek to boost their playoff hopes.
Gavin Rose’s side are one point and one position outside the top seven ahead of this weekend’s trip to Billericay Town.
They will be gunning for revenge, with Billericay winning the game between the two clubs 2-1 earlier this season.
Previously unbeaten in six, bottom club Billericay have now fallen to consecutive defeats to Dorking and Hemel Hempstead Town.
Their battle to avoid relegation won’t be helped by the loss of striker Shaquile Coulthirst, who has moved on to join league rivals Ebbsfleet.
Match odds: Home 11/4, Draw 12/5, Away 4-5
All the other NLS action
Chelmsford City are on an impressive run - with only one defeat in ten. They host Hampton & Richmond Borough who have lost three on the bounce. (H: 11/8, D: 11/5, A: 8/5)
Two sides desperately in need of a win meet as Concord Rangers play Havant & Waterlooville. Neither side has picked up three points in 2022. (H: 11/5, D: 23/10, A: Evens)
Ebbsfleet United are heavy favourites against Slough Town following their midweek performance. Midtable Slough are without a win in six. (H: 1-2, D: 3/1, A: 4/1)
Promotion chasers Oxford City will look to make it four wins from five as they host Hemel Hempstead Town. Hemel are in decent form themselves with three wins in five. (H: Evens, D: 5/2, A: 2/1)
No side has picked up fewer points over the last ten games than Welling United, claiming just 5 from an available 30. They host Chippenham Town, who are in the playoffs and unbeaten in three. (H: 21/10, D: 12/5, A: Evens)
Will you be adding any NLS games to your non-league acca this weekend? Let us know on social media.
