By John Wilkinson Tom Little previews the rest of this weekend’s National League One programme
Friday
Bishops Stortford v Blackheath kick off 14.30
Old Elthamians v Ampthill & District 14.00
Saturday
Cambridge v Hull Ionians
Darlington Mowden Park v Esher 14.00
Plymouth Albion v Loughborough Students
NO Coventry involvement this catch-up week, but still plenty of interest in the fight over the two remaining relegation places.
Plymouth Albion, after their hard-fought game with Coventry are at home to Loughborough Students who are still residing in the final relegation spot. Students, even in defeat, seem capable of picking up bonus points and are only three points from safety behind Hull Ionians. At home Albion should be too powerful for their visitors, but don’t be surprised if Students pick up a losing or try bonus point.
Hull Ionians as mentioned are only three points ahead of the relegation cut-off and have to travel to Cambridge. The home side are not yet certain of their NL1 status next season, so this contest could be a close and nervous affair. At home Cambridge should be close favourites, but Ionians do have the ability to pick up bonus points even in defeat so at least one point will be their aim.
Darlington Mowden Park, now clear in second place, are at home to 12th-placed Esher who still need another win to make sure of NL1 status next season. At home DMP should have enough power and finishing prowess to win this one easily.
A difficult gamer to predict is at Old Elthamians, in sixth spot, who have third-placed Ampthill & District as their visitors. At home OEs will be slight favourites, but Ampthill are capable of raising their game and will be looking to keep their third place.
The fifth game this Easter weekend is at Bishop’s Stortford, who have fifth-placed Blackheath as visitors. Another close contest is in prospect with Blackheath not always the best of travellers. BS put up an excellent fight in losing closely at DMP and should be slight favourites to win this one.
