Boreham Wood v Eastleigh  

The last few weeks have been tough for Boreham Wood. 

Luke Garrard’s side have been fighting on three fronts, looking to progress in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and close the gap on the league leaders, all while dealing with some rare upheaval amid injuries, COVID and a congested fixture list. The Wood have been knocked out of the FA Trophy by fellow promotion contenders Wrexham, beaten Bournemouth in the FA Cup and won only six of their last 12 league games, leaving them eight points adrift of Stockport County, albeit with three games in hand.  

However, The Wood are very strong at home. They’re unbeaten at Meadow Park, for starters, and their record against sides 10^th or lower in the division reads nine victories and two draws. That includes victories in their last two, against King’s Lynn Town and Altrincham. Any concerns about league form after defeat at Maidenhead United was quashed with another clean sheet at Torquay United in midweek and there are reasons to be confident about another home win on Saturday.  

Eastleigh remain managerless at the time of writing and are winless in nine. They have accrued just eight points from an available 42 away from home this season and one point from the last 18 on offer. Furthermore, their away record against sides in the top nine reads six games played, six defeats and no goals scored. Eastleigh have scored just three goals in 11 matches against top nine teams. 

This is a great chance for the hosts to get back to winning ways. 

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Dover Athletic v Grimsby Town  

Dover Athletic picked up a credible point on the road in midweek at Aldershot Town, their second shut out in five matches and the fourth time in five matches that they have conceded less than two goals.  

However, that being an achievement tells you a lot about Dover Athletic’s current position. Andy Hessenthaler’s side are yet to wipe off the 12-point deduction they were handed this season, having picked up a measly eight points from their 29 league matches. They have scored in just two of their home matches against sides in the top ten and their only points against such opposition came in 0-0 draws against Chesterfield and Solihull Moors.  

Grimsby Town aren’t the strongest National League side on the road, picking up just 14 points from a possible 13 away from home. However, they appear to be finding some form again having won three and drawn one of their last four – and they were unfortunate not to win all four. They also picked up a huge result on the road against Notts County, their first three points away from home against sides above them in the league table. Their record against the sides below them is pretty strong and Paul Hurst is close to having a full squad to call upon, including a fully fit John McAtee and new loan signing Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.  

The visitors have the physical advantage, plenty of talented footballers in the final third and are strong from set-pieces. They should score and that will likely be enough.  

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FC Halifax Town v Barnet  

After a mini-wobble, FC Halifax Town picked up a credible point away at Notts County in midweek.  

For the first time this season, Pete Wild has been forced to juggle the pack this season, Sam Johnson, Niall Maher, Kieran Green, Kian Spence, Tyrell Warren and Matty Warburton all missing games due to various reasons. However, Johnson is back, captain Maher and young midfielder Spence started in midweek while Warren and Warburton should return for their home game against Barnet on Saturday, giving the side a more regular look. Aaron Martin has also bolstered the attack.  

It gives them confidence going into the weekend – not that they really need it when they play at The Shay. Halifax have won nine of their 12 home matches this season and they have an 8-1-0 record against the sides below them in the table, Maidenhead United being the only side to beat them – something most clubs at the top are used to. Notably, they have also kept six clean sheets in those eight victories. 

Dean Brennan likes to talk about the differences in physicality between his side and those at the top of the division and that shows with the Bees having only won one of 13 matches against sides in the top 10 – and Stockport County sacked their manager after that one. With Halifax having been able to improve their squad during January and seeing a lot of key players returning, this could be another tough one for them. 

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Wealdstone v Torquay United  

Stuart Maynard has found himself talking openly about his frustrations with refereeing decisions and sloppy defending.  

Discussing refereeing decisions in the National League isn’t always easy – there aren’t anywhere near as many angles to view incidents as you find at the top level – but it’s notable that Wealdstone’s defensive record has dipped. The Stones have kept one clean sheet in their last 13 and it won’t be lost on Maynard that six of their seven defeats have been by the odd goal. They performed admirably at Solihull Moors in midweek but still found a way to concede against ten men and leave pointless.  

Torquay United are one of the few sides to beat Wealdstone by more than a single goal, hitting the Londoners for five back in October. However, that came before Torquay were showing a consistent level of form, something they are now doing, They have lost just two of their last 12 matches, partly thanks to the return of key personnel. Joe Lewis, Dean Moxey and Asa Hall have returned to full fitness, Conor Lemonheigh-Evans is starting to reach the heights of last season top-scorer Armani Little should return for this one.  

Maynard will be desperate for his young squad to return to winning ways and I don’t doubt they will make this a competitive game. However, The Gulls have won all seven matches against the bottom six since the opening day, scoring twice in each of those matches. I fancy them to continue that on Saturday.  

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