There are only seven National League games on Saturday due to FA Cup commitments, but the games that remain are well worth a look as the League reaches its halfway point…

Bromley vs Dover

Bromley are looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss to Aldershot as they host Dover in a key Kent derby towards the top end of the table.  The hosts are 8th and face the side two places above them, who have gone three League games without a win since previously topping the table.  It will also be a concern for boss Chris Kinnear that his side have gone scoreless in the last two, but his side have conceded the 2nd fewest in the League (15) and could go top if results go their way on Saturday.

FC Halifax Town vs Barrow

The Shaymen are 10 without a League win, with only five points from a possible 30.  They are currently 17th with 12 points from a possible 33 at home, and host a key battle at the bottom of the table as 19th placed Barrow come to visit.  The Bluebirds, though, are in great form having picked up valuable wins at Eastleigh and Gateshead since Ady Pennock took over at the end of October.  In fact, they have won three out of five games in the division since the former Forest Green boss was appointed.

Hartlepool Utd vs Macclesfield Town

Mid-table Hartlepool only concede League goals at a rate of one per match, but similarly only score 1.05.  With four wins, three draws and four losses at home in the League, they are a pure middle-of-the-road side.  Visitors Macclesfield are one of four sides who could go top come tea time, illustrating the tightness of this division, and may have already been there, had three League draws on the bounce not hindered them.  The Macc are dangerous away from home, with seven away League victories in 11 matches.

Solihull Moors vs Leyton Orient

A real basement battle as bottom placed Solihull face 20th placed Orient.  The hosts are winless in five in the League and have only one National League win at home.  They have also conceded the most goals in the division (41), but their opponents have let in only two fewer to put them second on that list. Justin Edinburgh’s first match in charge since being appointed Head Coach on Wednesday will see his charges try to snap a run of 14 winless League matches, stretching back to a 4-1 victory against Guiseley on 2 September. Despite being only three points away from the relegation zone, Orient can’t end the day lower than 20th due to Chester not being in action.

Sutton Utd vs Eastleigh

The hosts are another side who could top the table come 5 o’clock, sitting level on points with leaders Aldershot, suffering only one League defeat in 11.  But only five wins from 11 at Gander Green Lane shows The Ambers aren’t infallible at home.  The visitors are lowly Eastleigh who arrive in a run of five without a League win, and only two National League wins away from home, but with a creditable five draws.

Torquay United vs Aldershot Town

From looking dead and buried, Torquay are showing signs of life, winning two League games on the bounce, keeping clean sheets in both.  Boss Gary Owers is finally working his magic, and may need every last bit of it as the leaders come to town on a run of four League wins, the last three of which saw The Shots concede no goals.  The Gulls also have to watch out at the other end of the pitch with the League leaders the joint highest scorers with 37.

Wrexham vs Maidenhead Utd

3rd placed Wrexham could also top the table, and will be keen to get back to winning ways after losing to Aldershot last Saturday.  The Dragons have conceded an incredibly low 14 in 22 National League matches, the best in the division, and have lost only one League game at home.  14th placed Maidenhead have it all to do, Alan Devonshire’s side having not won a League game since 24 October, but have drawn four times since.