National League North previews

Four of the top seven face each other this afternoon in National League North.

Chorley v Kidderminster Harriers is one of the eye-catching contests. Andy Preece’s Magpies are unbeaten in four, their run extended on Tuesday thanks to two Jack Sampson penalties at Brackley Town. Kidderminster, relegated last term, won their first three on their return to Step 2 but have only recorded one victory since.

Third host fourth in another stand-out clash as King’s Lynn Town take on Curzon Ashton. The Linnets drew 0-0 with Scarborough Athletic in the week in a game which ended 10v10. They’ve only lost one of their last five against Curzon, who have only one in four.

Scunthorpe United lead the way by six points. They’ll be looking to maintain this advantage against a Warrington Town side who have lost both away games this term. The Iron also did the double over Town in 2023/24.

Alfreton Town lost their opener at King’s Lynn but are unbeaten in six since. They host Scarborough Athletic who claimed 10 points from their first four games but haven’t won any of their last three.

Spennymoor Town have been dogged by inconsistency this season but remain unbeaten at The Brewery Field since 6 January. They’ve won 11 of their last 12 at home and face Hereford today. While still in the play-offs, they’ll be smarting from a surprise defeat at home to Needham Market in the week, their first loss this term.

While Spennymoor are excelling on their own patch, Marine are stuttering, failing to score in their last three at Rossett Park. They’re still hunting for their first home win since promotion while opposition Darlington are yet to win away this season.

Southport are home for a third game running. They face the only winless side in the division in Radcliffe, who have conceded 18 in seven matches and are only off the bottom by goals scored.

Like Radcliffe and Marine, Needham Market won promotion last term. They appear to have now acclimatised to the level with back-to-back wins, but they’ve lost all three at home and face Farsley Celtic, who have played every game away thus far.

Buxton have undergone a strange start – winning their first three before losing the next four. Rushall Olympic have been defeated in all three away but beat 10 man Marine on Tuesday to move three points behind their Derbyshire opponents.

Two in-form teams meet at the Deva Stadium. Chester are unbeaten in five having lost their first two while South Shields have won four of their last five, only suffering defeat to table toppers Scunthorpe United. Both away teams won this fixture 1-0 last term.

Peterborough Sports were without a game midweek due to Oxford City’s international call-ups, which has cancelled the latter’s fixture with Leamington today. The Sports are home to Brackley Town who have won three of their last four against the Turbines.

Today’s fixtures (all matches KO 3pm):
Alfreton Town v Scarborough Athletic
Buxton v Rushall Olympic
Chester v South Shields
Chorley v Kidderminster Harriers
King’s Lynn Town v Curzon Ashton
Marine v Darlington
Needham Market v Farsley Celtic
Peterborough Sports v Brackley Town
Scunthorpe United v Warrington Town
Southport v Radcliffe
Spennymoor Town v Hereford

Read up on all the games in Sunday’s NLP!