After a big weekend of games in knockout competitions last week all of Kent’s sides will return to league action this week.
Dover Athletic – the surprise package of the National League this season – and currently sit at the top of the table, one point above Macclesfield. This weekend Chris Kinnear’s side make the short trip to East London to face struggling Leyton Orient.
The O’s previous opponents, Ebbsfleet United are also in action on Saturday, this time at 3pm after their TV appearance last weekend. They travel to Wrexham knowing a win could send them into the play-off places. However, it won’t be an easy match up with their opponents currently sitting in third position in the National League.
Another team looking to finish the season in the play-off positions are Maidstone United, who have done well to go into this weekend just four points off top. They welcome Solihull Moors to Kent this weekend with the West Midlands side in bottom place, having only collected 11 points from their opening 19 matches.
Kent’s remaining side in the top tier of Non League football are also at home this weekend. Bromley host relegation threatened Chester knowing a win could pile the pressure on Dover at the top of the table. Three points could bring them to within two points of the coastal club.
Following their loss at Truro City last weekend, Dartford have dropped down to second in the National League South table. They sit three points behind Braintree Town but their superior goal difference mean three points this weekend at home against Gloucester City could send them back to the top spot.
Welling United are the only other Kent side in tier two and they’re also looking for promotion back up to the National League and currently sit one point behind the Darts. They face a tough challenge on Saturday when they travel to fellow play-off chasing side Hemel Hempstead.
Much like their coastline rivals, Folkestone Invicta have been the surprise package of the Bostik Premier this season. Coming into this weekend they sit in third place, one place above bankrolled Billericay and have the chance to overtake Metropolitan Police with three points against Brightlingsea Regent.
Elsewhere, Margate will be looking to put pressure onto the top five clubs when they travel to Lowestoft Town on Saturday afternoon. The Thanet side currently sit in ninth but could reach as high as seventh with three points.
Tonbridge Angels are currently looking at a mid table finish, but if they want to progress as the season continues, they’ll need to pick up all available points from teams such as Needham Market, who they play this weekend. Market have only won 16 points this season so far and sit in 20th position whilst Steve McKimm’s side find themselves in 12th.
With no all-Kent matches in the Bostik South this weekend, the standout game comes from the Woodstock Sports ground where Sittingbourne host South Park with the Brickies looking to fight their way back into the play-off positions.
Elsewhere, Faversham and Ashford United travel to Chipstead and Corinthian Casuals respectively whilst Herne Bay face Struggling Molesley in the coastal town. Cray Wanderers are also on the road when they face East Grinstead Town and Hythe Town host Carshalton in another 3pm kick off.
To finish off the weekend in the top four divisions, VCD Athletic will make the trip to Hastings United, Thamesmead Town also travel to Sussex to face high flying Lewes, Phoenix Sports host Walton Casuals and Ramsgate welcome Whyteleafe to Southwood Stadium.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.