Better than a New Year movie

New Year's Day Preview - Premier South

The standout fixture on New Year`s Day in the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division South is undoubtedly the derby at Ladysmead between leaders Tiverton Town and fourth-placed Taunton Town.

Tivvy were also involved in the game of Boxing Day when they conceded a last-gasp goal in a thriller at Treyew Road to share a 3-3 draw with second-placed Truro City. Tiverton leads the table only on goal difference, and the Peacocks make the short trip down the M5 eight points behind but with two games in hand.

On the same day at the Yellows were drawing at Truro, Taunton was suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat at The Cygnet Health Care Stadium to Weston-super-Mare. The Seagulls, who have won three on the trot, welcome Truro to The Optima Stadium and if the hosts can maintain their good form, they will have the top five teams looking nervously over their shoulders.

Chesham United spoil the West Country dominance at the top of the table, being in third spot after their 6-1 demolition job on Walton Casuals on Boxing Day. The Generals – two points behind the top two – host fourth-bottom Hendon at the Meadow. The Greens` excellent run under Lee Allinson came to a halt when they suffered a 1-0 derby defeat to Harrow Borough at Silver Jubilee Park over Christmas. However, they will be looking to do the `double` over Chesham, having beaten them 3-1 during James Gray`s tenure as manager on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Indeed, the games on New Year`s Day are the reverse of August 26th`s matches, so the other team in the top five, Swindon Supermarine, host Merthyr Town looking for revenge on their 3-1 defeat in Wales back then. The Martyrs though won 2-1 against third-bottom Yate Town on Boxing Day, while `Marine will be fresh, having not played since beating Wimborne Town away on December 7th.

The Magpies face neighbours Poole Town at The W+S Stadium hoping to reverse a 3-1 defeat at Tatnam and prevent the Dolphins from pushing closer to the play-off places as they play catch-up on their many games in hand.

Gosport Borough will hope to beat Hartley Wintney at Privett Park and then return to the dressing room and search out Taunton and Supermarine`s results to see if they can move into the top five. Seventh-placed Salisbury, who possess three games in hand on Gosport, don`t have a derby game but travel to Yate looking for a `double`, having beaten the Bluebells 3-2 in the corresponding fixture in August.

Farnborough played only one game in December – a 3-1 away win at Weston – so will be a little rusty when they welcome Hayes & Yeading United to The Rushmoor Community Stadium, while second-bottom Dorchester Town will look to start 2020 by ending a 12-game winless run when they host Blackfield & Langley at the Greene King Community Stadium. Harrow Borough will look to complete a `double` over Walton Casuals when they meet at Earlsmead, having beaten the Stags 2-1 on their own patch in sunny August.