Saturday sees the Third Round Proper of the FA Trophy, with places in the Quarter Finals and £8,000 up for grabs…
Harrogate Town vs Billericay Town @15:00
Two high flyers duke it out in what promises to be a thriller. Harrogate are 2nd in National League North and chalked up a victory over Wrexham in the 1st Round. They have suffered only one League defeat on the 3G of CNG Stadium, winning nine and drawing four, but have suffered two League losses in the last four – both on the road. The hosts are exciting going forward with 66 scored in 28 League games, conceding only 35 in the process. Billericay also have an enviable scoring record, 67 in 24 Isthmian Premier games, conceding only 19. Jake Robinson has scored 22 of those League goals in a prolific season and is one of many stars for the visitors. Glenn Tamplin’s side sit top of the pile in the Isthmian Premier, a point ahead of Dulwich Hamlet with six games in hand, and have yet to lose away from home in the division with 10 wins and a draw. Add this to their excellent run in the FA Cup and the Trophy – beating Havant and Waterlooville, Hungerford Town and three others to get this far – and you wouldn’t count against Billericay upsetting the odds once again.
Maidstone United vs Gateshead @15:00
This all National League encounter pits two sides occupying the bottom reaches of the table against each other, Maidstone in 16th, Gateshead 14th. The hosts have suffered four League losses on the bounce, with only two points taken in the last six. Form at the Gallagher Stadium has also been a problem, with only three League wins, seven draws and five losses. Visitors Gateshead have taken eight points from the last four matches and beat Boreham Wood in a replay in the last round. The Heed have only won three League games on the road, with seven draws and four losses, but won against the hosts last weekend at the International Stadium.
Maidenhead United vs Stockport County @15:00
A win at home to Chester on Saturday ended a run four without a League win for Maidenhead. The hosts sit 13th in the National League with their home record in the division reading six wins and six draws from 16 games. Visitors Stockport are 9th in National League North and are facing a Step 1 side for the first time in this season’s competition. They have only won three away League games, and went on a three game winless run in the division before victory at home to York last time out, but can look to a great scoring record, with 52 League goals in 28, 19 of them coming from Jason Oswell. However, they will have to be more vigilant at the back, conceding 43.
Wealdstone vs Warrington Town @15:00
Wealdstone ended Hereford’s FA Trophy dreams in the last round and have also beaten Chelmsford City in this season’s competition. They are 12th in National League South with a good home record – winning eight, drawing one and losing four. The Stones have won their last two, but will have to do without striker Abobaker Eisa who moved to Shrewsbury Town this week. Evo-Stik NPL Premier Warrington have beat Ebbsfleet and Tamworth, getting through five rounds to get this far, so are a dangerous proposition. They are undefeated in six in all competition and are 5th in the League.
Brackley Town vs Sutton United @15:00
Brackley have faced some difficult ties so far in this competition, overcoming Barrow, Braintree Town and National League North leaders Salford City. They are 3rd in National League North, undefeated at home in the division with nine wins and four draws, currently undefeated in 13 in all competitions. The Saints are strong defensively, only conceding 24 in 27 League games and count National League North Player of the Month Shane Byrne in their ranks. Visitors Sutton have great cup pedigree and aren’t doing too shabbily in the League either, 4th in the National League following back-to-back wins. They have also excelled away from home with eight wins and three draws in 15 League games.
Dover Athletic vs Leyton Orient @15:00
Another all National League encounter sees 6th placed Dover host Orient, who are 17th. Dover squeezed through 4-3 against Marine in the last round, The O’s facing another away fixture in this competition, following tight victories at Haringey Borough and Bognor Regis Town. The hosts have recorded back-to-back League wins amongst a great run of only one loss in their last 11 games in the division. They have only suffered four League losses at The Crabble and have a great defensive record, conceding only 26 in 31 National League games, a record only bettered by Wrexham. Visitors Orient got back to winning ways on Tuesday, victory at Halifax ending a run of four without a League win and moving them five clear of the relegation zone. Macauley Bonne is the danger man with 15 League goals, but The O’s will have to do without James Dayton who looks to be out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury – James Brophy will possibly make his second Orient debut tomorrow having joined the club permanently on Wednesday. The two sides drew 1-1 at Brisbane Road earlier in the campaign.
Spennymoor Town vs East Thurrock United @15:00
Spennymoor are eight undefeated in all competitions, sitting 4th in National League North with only two home League losses and seven wins. They score big, netting at a rate of two per game in the League (Glen Taylor scoring 15), but have also conceded 40, and come into the game having beaten Solihull in the last round. East Thurrock followed up a 4-0 victory over Aldershot in the First Round Proper with a 1-0 win over Chester. The League has been a bit more of a struggle, with The Rocks in 13th in National League South. The visitors are all action at both ends of the pitch conceding 54 in 26 League games, but scoring 51 – 18 of them coming from National League South top scorer Sam Higgins. John Coventry’s side will be looking to bounce back after losing 7-2 at St Albans last weekend, shipping six after going down to 10 men.
Workington AFC vs Bromley @15:00
Workington are the lowest ranked team left in the competition, 7th in Evo-Stik NPL Premier. They have beaten Weston-Super-Mare, Hartlepool and three others to get this far and boast a strong home League record with 10 wins, three draws and three losses, but have lost their last three League games. Visitors Bromley are 7th in the National League, with four wins in the last five games in the division – the loss coming against an in-form AFC Fylde. The Ravens are dangerous going forward, only Flyde scoring more goals in the division, Louis Dennis scoring 14 of 53, but have also kept back-to-back clean sheets. Away League form is also good with seven wins from 15 with four draws.
