Big weeks ahead for the survival hopes of Stamford AFC and Bourne Town, new signings for Spalding United
It’s a make or break week for Stamford AFC in their fight against relegation from the Southern Premier Division Central.
‘The Daniels’ are five points and two places from safety, but have home games against fellow strugglers Stourbridge on Saturday (3pm) and then lower half side St Ives Town on Tuesday (February 17, 7.45pm).
Stamford were 11 points from safety a few weeks ago and manager Graham Drury has called for another ‘special week’ from his players.
Leaders Spalding United know there can be no more slip-ups in their title bid in the same division. ‘The Tulips’ are four points ahead of second-placed Harborough Town who have four games in hand.
That’s unlikely to change tomorrow as the top two host struggling sides Alvechurch and Royston respectively. Fixture congestion could be a big ally for Spalding as Harborough saw their latest attempt to play a midweek game postponed on Tuesday.
Spalding have strengthened their squad with the additions of former Scunthorpe United midfielder Tom Pugh on loan from National League side Halifax Town, and winger Saleem Akanbi from Bishop Stortford.
It’s a busy week ahead for Bourne Town in their battle to survive in the Northern Premier Midlands Division. ‘The Wakes’ are next-to-bottom and four points from safety before hosting AFC Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow (3pm) and then travelling to star-studded promotion challengers Anstey Nomads on Tuesday. Anstey have now added 36 year-old former Sunderland, Ipswich, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and QPR midfielder Jack Colback to a squad that already included former England striker David Nugent and ex-Derby County forward Martyn Waghorn.
The survival hopes of Blackstones and Deeping Rangers in Premier Division North of the United Counties League were boosted by a three-point deduction for rivals Harrowby United for fielding an ineligible player. That will take Harrowby to the bottom of the table, two points behind Stones and five points behind Deeping.
Stones and Deeping have tough away games on Saturday.
A Peterborough Sports preview will appear later on Friday.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
National League North: Peterborough Sports v Spennymoor Town.
Southern Premier Division Central: Spalding Utd v Alvechurch, Stamford AFC v Alvechurch.
Northern Premier Midlands Division: Bourne Town v AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
United Counties Premier Division North: AFC Mansfield v Blackstones, Grantham Town v Deeping Rangers, Wisbech Town v Ashby Ivanhoe.
United Counties Premier Division South: March Town v Coventry Utd.
Thurlow Nunn Division One North: Diss Town v FC Peterborough, FC Parson Drove v Wroxham Res, Holbeach Utd v Stanway Pegasus, Wivenhoe v Whittlesey Athletic.