Cambridge Utd, Barnet FC , Nuneaton Town and Salisbury City stand between Lincoln City and top spot tomorrow night. With Southport, Forest Green and Hereford breathing down our necks three points and the continuance of the 100% home record is vital.
Vics verdict on the Saturday fixtures.
Top-dogs Cambridge must be favourites to stay there, travelling to Hyde who lost 2-3 at busy bees Barnet last week. They have had a tough start, but managed 2-2 draws against Wrexham and Hereford after crashing 8-1 against Forest Green on opening day. Hyde. with just 2 points on the board, only escape bottom thanks to Aldershot’s 10 point deduction. Cambridge, with Berry and Co, look set to dish out another hiding.
Barnet go to Halifax, the side that lost 3-1 to tomorrows opponents Salisbury, after going down to 9 men. The Bees have scored three in their prvious two games yet still United’s goal difference denies them top spot. Byrne, Hyde and Marsh-Brown got the goals in the 3-0 demolition of Braintree and Byrne and Marsh-Brown got the goals again against Hyde with Crawford finishing things off. Halifax manager Neil Aspin was not a happy man last week with 2 sendings off ending a 4-match unbeaten run. Everyone is due a bad day at the office, the previous week they beat 5th placed Southport 1-0. A draw could well play into the Imps hands.
Nuneaton manager Kevin Wilkin bears the manager of the month curse and opposite number Andy Morrell will take anything he can get at the moment. Wilkin inspired successive 2-1 wins over Kidderminster Harriers and Grimsby Town, suggesting home advantage could see the same again. For Wrexham this is the watershed, with defeat not an option for the manager or a side that plays the game the way it should be. The Dragons will get a result here giving the Imps the chance to move up at least another place.
To do that we must beat Salisbury who lost their first three only to strengthen and go three unbeaten. With Fairhurst and Miller fit you would fancy us with the 100% home record. But this one will be close, the weather will play a part along with a set-piece decider methinks with either side capable of getting it. The Whites are a quick, strong powerful side who will raise their game on an ex-League stage.
These are the games that will show whether we have what it takes to challenge for the play-offs, because plenty of top sides drop points at the supposed underdogs in this league. Mind you with our budget we are one of the ones punching above our weight so any slip could let in Southport (at improving big spenders Tamworth) and Forest Green who will not fancy the trip to Braintree. The Table 31/8/13
P
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
PTS
1
Cambridge United
6
4
2
0
12
3
+9
14
2
Barnet
6
4
2
0
12
4
+8
14
3
Nuneaton Town
6
4
2
0
10
5
+5
14
4
Lincoln City
6
4
1
1
7
3
+4
13
5
Southport
6
4
0
2
7
6
+1
12
6
Forest Green Rovers
6
3
2
1
15
5
+10
11
7
Hereford United
6
3
2
1
9
6
+3
11
8
Grimsby Town
6
3
1
2
8
6
+2
10
9
Braintree Town
6
3
1
2
6
5
+1
10
10
FC Halifax Town
6
3
1
2
10
12
-2
10
11
Luton Town
6
2
3
1
5
2
+3
9
12
Kidderminster Harriers
6
3
0
3
9
9
0
9
13
Alfreton Town
6
3
0
3
10
11
-1
9
14
Welling United
6
2
2
2
9
8
+1
8
15
Salisbury City
6
2
1
3
6
7
-1
7
16
Dartford
6
2
0
4
4
9
-5
6
17
Wrexham
6
1
2
3
8
12
-4
5
18
Tamworth
6
1
2
3
3
8
-5
5
19
Gateshead
6
1
1
4
8
12
-4
4
20
Woking
6
1
1
4
6
10
-4
4
21
Macclesfield Town
6
0
3
3
5
8
-3
3
22
Chester
6
1
0
5
4
12
-8
3
23
Hyde
6
0
2
4
7
18
-11
2
24
Aldershot Town (-10)
6
2
1
3
6
5
+1
-3