National League North previews

A full programme tonight in National League North which includes a contest where two teams were seven divisions apart as recently as 2010.

Scunthorpe were competing in the Championship then, tonight the league leaders are at Needham Market, who won the Eastern Counties Premier 14 years ago. The Marketmen have lost their first two games at this level while Scunthorpe have produced two 3-0 wins.

Curzon Ashton and Kidderminster Harriers are currently tied second with identical records. Curzon host Oxford City, who’ve drawn two games from two, both from losing positions, while Kidderminster host last year’s play-off finalists Brackley Town. Brackley won at Chester on Saturday in the NLP Star Game for National League North.

Southport also have six points from six, they travel to a Spennymoor Town side who lost at Leamington three days ago. Buxton are the fifth team with a maximum return, tonight they’re home to Darlington who claimed their first point this term with a draw at Oxford City.

Chester sit bottom of the pile with no goals and no points. They host Radcliffe who conceded three in five minutes to lost at Kidderminster at the weekend.

South Shields had a point snatched from their grasp on Saturday. They levelled in the 94th minute through Will Jenkins but contrived to concede a penalty three minutes later, converted by Curzon’s Will Hayhurst. They’ll look to get off the match this evening against Warrington Town, who picked up their first win against Peterborough Sports.

Hereford host Sports tonight, having picked up four points from two games. They’re sandwiched between Scarborough and Chorley, who meet at Victory Park.

King’s Lynn Town and Farsley Celtic both lost on Saturday having won their opening games. Town are home to Rushall Olympic, who are without a point thus far, while Farsley travel to a Marine side looking for their first Step 2 win.

Tonight’s fixtures (all matches KO 7.45pm):
Buxton v Darlington
Chester v Radcliffe
Chorley v Scarborough Athletic
Curzon Ashton v Oxford City
Hereford v Peterborough Sports
Kidderminster Harriers v Brackley Town
King’s Lynn Town v Rushall Olympic
Leamington v Alfreton Town
Marine v Farsley Celtic
Needham Market v Scunthorpe United
South Shields v Warrington Town
Spennymoor Town v Southport