FOUR TO FOLLOW | GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SATURDAY ACTION

There is plenty of egg-citement coming up

The Easter weekend is here and a feast of football awaits with battles at both ends of the table, local derbies and everything in between.

Here’s our pick of the action from the Good Friday and Easter Saturday games:

BASINGSTOKE TOWN v AFC TOTTON | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH
This Good Friday encounter has everything; hosts who need the points to escape the relegation zone, opponents who are still in the title race and the added spice of local pride at stake. The home team sit fourth from bottom, just a point from safety as it stands. They are six games without a win, although their last three defeats have been narrow 1-0 set-backs. For the visitors, last weekend went perfectly for them as they came from a goal down to grab a late winner in a 2-1 success over Tiverton Town, whilst at the same time Merthyr Town lost at home to mean that they are just four points behind in the title race.

BEDFORD TOWN v STRATFORD TOWN | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL
This Easter Saturday clash sees the current leaders host opponents who go into the game one place out of the play-off zone and looking to avoid a repeat of last season where they just missed out on goal difference. The home team hold a three-point lead at the top and their comeback last-gasp victory last weekend extended their run to nine unbeaten. For the visitors, they have drawn their last three games amidst a four-game unbeaten run, so they know that they have to start turning some of those draws into wins as they battle it out with a number of other clubs for a top five finish.

EVESHAM UNITED v DIDCOT TOWN | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH
Last weekend saw Yate Town’s long reign at the top of the table come to an end as they were toppled by Evesham United whose last-minute victory at Westbury United made it nine games unbeaten as they have built some good momentum over the last few months. Saturday’s game won’t be easy as they face opponents who, whilst having nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, have put in some impressive displays over the course of the season. They have proved that on their day they can cause problems so the home team will need to be focussed and able to handle the added pressure that comes with being in pole position.

THAME UNITED v FLACKWELL HEATH | PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL
With three play-off spots now up for grabs, both of these teams are amongst the four that are still in the race for them. The home team go into this Saturday encounter in fourth place, three points and one place behind their opponents. Last weekend saw Thame United battle out a hard-earned 1-0 win at Leverstock Green to make it just one defeat from their last 11 outings. They face visitors who were held to a home goalless draw by Welwyn Garden City last time out as their five-game winning League run was brought to a halt. Between them, both teams have scored plenty of goals throughout the season so an entertaining contest is expected here.

IMAGE: Basingstoke Town FC