PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE | WEEKEND PREVIEW

February begins with more mouth-watering action

It may be the shortest month of the year, but February is packed with action and here is our pick from the opening weekend.

GOSPORT BOROUGH v MERTHYR TOWN | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH
The big games continue to come thick and fast as fourth hosts third. The home side are without a win in their last four League outings, of which three have been drawn, including last weekend’s 1-1 draw at fellow high-flyers and local rivals, AFC Totton. Meanwhile the visitors were able to respond to two successive defeats by securing a commanding 4-0 victory over Didcot Town last weekend as they look to start building some momentum.

NEEDHAM MARKET v AFC TELFORD UNITED | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL
Sitting in second place and with games in hand over all of their rivals, Needham Market are handily-placed. They will be looking to bounce back from only their third defeat of the season last weekend when they succumbed 3-2 at St. Ives Town as they face opponents who haven’t lost in the League since September, when they fell at home to Needham Market. The visitors are now 16 League games unbeaten, a fantastic record.

BRISTOL MANOR FARM v WIMBORNE TOWN | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH
Both teams go into this game having won away at Paulton Rovers in their last outings. Bristol Manor Farm were able to end their run of five games without a victory with their 3-1 success last weekend to keep them in touch with the leading pack, whilst Wimborne went back to the top of the table on Tuesday night following their 2-0 triumph. A hard-fought battle is in prospect.

AFC DUNSTABLE v BEDFORD TOWN | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL
The home side sit just three points off the play-off places with games in hand on some of the teams around them. They had to settle for a share of the spoils at third-placed Biggleswade Town last weekend as their hosts equalised in stoppage time. Meanwhile Bedford will be in a positive mood after winning 4-1 at leaders, North Leigh on Tuesday and in doing so went just a point behind them with two games in hand.

IMAGE: Gosport Borough FC