Weekend League Match Preview – The Southern League

Although the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round takes centre stage on Saturday, there are still some important matches in the Pitching In Southern Football League this weekend.

In the Premier Division Central, leaders Tamworth have the opportunity to stretch their advantage at the summit when they welcome Barwell to the CR Mot Centre Community Stadium.

Andy Peaks` Lambs have lost just the one league game to date and face a Barwell side who, although make the relatively short trip up the A5 sitting 19th in the table, will be buoyed by achieving a fine 4-2 win at Garden Walk against Royston Town on Tuesday night.

Somewhat surprisingly propping up the division are Hednesford Town, and AFC Rushden & Diamonds and the pair meet at Keys Park on Saturday.

The Pitmen have yet to record a win in the league after nine matches and yet to register a point under new boss Steve Burr.

But the experienced campaigner has been busy in the transfer market and it will take time for his new signings to gel.

Few would have predicted seeing Diamonds in second-from-bottom spot after nine games and perhaps even fewer would have expected them to be hammered 7-0 on home soil as they were by Coalville Town in midweek.

It’s looking like a very crucial period for manager Andy Burgess.

Stourbridge are another side who were not expected to be featuring in the bottom three.

However, having won for the first-time last weekend against Hitchin Town, the Glassboys then suffered a 2-1 midweek loss at Basford United.

They make the trip to The Eyrie to face a Bedford Town side who have won three of their nine games but were also beaten on Tuesday – 3-0 at Leiston.

Redditch United have the opportunity to move into the top four if they beat Royston at the Trico Stadium.

Matt Clarke’s side are currently sixth but were beaten by the odd goal in five at home by Rushall Olympic last Monday evening.

The Pics, for whom that was a first win in five, are on their travels again on Saturday as they head to the Arden Garages Stadium to take on Stratford Town, who are tenth.

Kings Langley welcome Bromsgrove Sporting to The Orbital Fasteners Stadium in what should be a tight affair as just a point separates the sides at kick-off.

There could be new leaders of the Premier Division South on Saturday tea-time as second-placed Truro City are in action at Hartley Wintney.

With current leaders Weston-super-Mare on cup duty, the White Tigers will be looking to preserve their unbeaten record at The Memorial Playing Fields against a Hartley Wintney side who have only won once in the league to date and shared an amazing 4-4 draw with Plymouth Parkway in midweek.

Chesham United are third and are at The Meadow against sixth-placed Tiverton Town on Saturday.

The Generals have lost only once in the league but had to make do with a point from a 0-0 draw at Hendon in midweek.

Tivvy won 2-1 at Dorchester Town on the same night and could replace their hosts in third if they managed a win.

Poole Town are on the climb after recording 5-0 and 2-1 wins in their last two matches.

They head north to take on Beaconsfield Town at Holloways Park in eighth, with the Rams in 15th after losing 3-1 at home to Harrow Borough last Monday night.

That was Harrow’s second victory in the league, and they’ll look to make it three successive wins as they head south to Dorchester, who are tenth.

The day’s other game sees Gosport Borough – four games without a win – welcome North Leigh to Privett Park for the first time, with the newly promoted Millers having earned a useful point against Hayes & Yeading United in midweek.

The Division One Central has a chance to get up and running with most teams having played only four or five league matches due to cup competitions.

Ware and, surprisingly, Kidlington, currently head the table and both are in action on Saturday.

Ware make the trip across to the Loop Meadow Stadium to play Didcot Town, while the Greens, who had an absolutely identical record to Paul Halsey’s side, host Thame United at Yarnton Road.

Cirencester Town switched from Division One South, find themselves bottom of the table after only picking up one point to date and welcome Waltham Abbey to the Corinium Stadium for the first time.

Barton Rovers, the only other team without a win, have no game.

In the Division One South, Sholing possess a five-point lead at the top of the table already after winning all six of their league matches to date.

And the Boatmen will look to extend that advantage when they have a Bristol Manor Farm side visiting The Imperial Homes Stadium still searching for a first win.

Newly promoted Exmouth Town and Hamworthy United have both started life at Step 4 well and their hopes of staying in the top three rest on them getting something from away trips.

Exmouth journey up the M5 to Slimbridge, whilst the Hammers` team bus might well cross them as they head to Somerset to play Frome Town.

Apart from Manor Farm, there are three other teams looking for a first league win of 2022/23 on Saturday.

Lymington Town have lost all five league games and head to Evesham United, Larkhall Athletic have just a point to date and host another win-less outfit in Bideford AFC, albeit the Devonians have only played four times.