National Two North: Are the top two starting to run away with it?

By the end of this weekend, we would already have completed a third of the National Two North season and we are starting to see the top two pull away from the rest of the pack.

Macclesfield and Sedgley Park now have clear water between themselves and the other teams in the division, while Caldy, Sandal and Otley continue to chase them down.

Elsewhere, there are key games towards the bottom of the table with sides maybe thinking that a result this weekend, could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Harrogate v Macclesfield

League leaders Macclesfield travel to Harrogate on Saturday as they look to strengthen their position at the top of National Two North.

With eight straight bonus points wins, Macc look unbeatable at present and travel to Harrogate in search of their fourth away win of the season.

The Cheshire side have not tasted defeat since they lost on the road to Stourbridge on the opening day of the campaign and Harrogate will be hoping that their good recent form can continue.

After two defeats in their first five games and just two wins from their nine matches at home, Harrogate are slowly turning both of those negative stats into positives.

‘Gate have won three of their last four games and are unbeaten in their last two at Ruddling Lane so it’s clear they are showing signs of improvement.

After finishing fourth last season, Harrogate would have had big ambitions for this season, but so far they have been performing below par. A win this weekend would highlight that they have certainly turned a corner.

Sedgley Park v Stourbridge

Sedgley Park bounced back from being knocked off the top of the table with victory over Huddersfield last week as they continue to put the pressure on Macclesfield.

Having led the league for seven weeks, Sedge are now playing catch-up for the first time this season and it really isn't a surprise to see the top two already battling it out this early on.

Sedge have won all five of their home matches this season and have lost just three of their last 17 games at Park Lane as they prepare to host Stourbridge on Saturday.

Stourbridge come into this encounter having lost their first game in three last weekend as their good run of results was ended by South Leicester. Stour are 7th in the table, just three points behind 4th and they have won two of their five matches away from home this season.

The visitors may take heart in knowing they are one of those three teams that have beaten Sedgley recently having triumphed 11-17 in the North West in September of last year.

Sandal v Caldy

Both Sandal and Caldy dropped points last weekend which has now seen a small gap start to develop between the top two and the rest of field - Have we got another Hull Ionians and Ampthill & District situation on our hands?

Caldy saw how strong both of those sides were last season as they finished in 6th, so will be hoping that the same pattern won’t be repeated this campaign.

The Wirral outfit were held to a 15-15 draw by bottom side the Luctonians last week and have now not won in two after going on a five match winning streak. Also, travelling away from home is becoming the norm for Caldy who have already played 6 matches on the road so far.

Sandal have also not won in two but have lost both games. Back to back defeats to Sale FC and Macclesfield have seen them drop 10 points behind Sedgley, but their impressive home form is something that has been integral to their success over the last couple of years.

The Yorkshire side have lost just 4 of their last 44 games at home and will be hoping to get back to winning ways at Milnethorpe Green this Saturday.

Otley v Broadstreet

Otley profited from Caldy and Sandal's misfortune last weekend as they beat Preston Grasshoppers to move a point behind the top four. Otley are a team that are constantly improving this season and may well fancy their chances at Cross Green against Broadstreet.

Having said that, Broadstreet will certainly have been lifted after a much needed win over Tynedale. That victory last week was just their second of the campaign, but they are still yet to triumph on the road while Otley have a 50 % win ratio at home so far. Broadstreet did beat Otley at Cross Green 20-22 last season in a run that was key to them finishing in the top half.

Huddersfield v Chester

Chester ended a three match losing streak at home with victory against Leicester Lions on Saturday and will be looking for a more consistent run of results from now on.

They have had a mixed season so far, but Chester do boast the joint best away record in the league alongside Macclesfield. Just one defeat from four matches shows the men from Hare Lane are more than capable on their travels and will have to be at their best when they go to Lockwood Park this weekend.

Huddersfield made their home a fortress in the second half of last season which was a vital factor in them staying in this division after promotion the previous year. ‘Field may have to repeat that once again this campaign as they currently sit 14^th in the table with all three of their wins being at home. The hosts won this corresponding fixture on the final day of last season 21-12.

Leicester Lions v Sale FC

After a perfect start to the season for Leicester Lions, they seem to have lost their way slightly in recent weeks with just one win in their last four matches. The Lions sit 7^th in the table and they are still unbeaten at home this season.

Four wins and one draw so far at Westleigh Park poses a tough challenge for Sale FC who will be looking to bounce back after defeat to Harrogate last Saturday.

That loss for the North West based side was their first in the three matches, but Sale have certainly improved as the season has gone on. They won their last away match against Sandal – which is a tough place to go and get a result – so don’t be surprised if they end Leicester’s record this weekend.

Tynedale v South Leicester

Perhaps at the start of the season, many would have thought Tynedale would be towards the top end of the table and South Leicester at the wrong end of the league, but that hasn’t been the case.

After their first ever relegation in their history, Tynedale have struggled in National Two North and find themselves on the cusp of the relegation zone with just two wins from their first nine matches. Tyne have won both of those games at home and know back to back wins will move them further to safety.

As for South, they secured a great result against Stourbridge last Saturday and other than Macclesfield, they are second in the form table over the last three games. South haven’t lost for over a month, but have won only once on the road this season - that coming against Chester in the second weekend of the campaign.

Luctonians v Preston Grasshoppers

Preston Grasshoppers are having another difficult season so far and after defeat to Otley last week, this Saturday’s game against fellow strugglers Luctonians could well be crucial come the end of the season.

The Hoppers sit preciously above the bottom three, just a point outside the drop zone and they have won just once on the road this season.

As for the Lucts, they are the bottom side in the division, but their draw with Caldy last Saturday will have given them a confidence boost.  Both Preston and the Luctonians had their fate decided on the final day of last season with both surviving relegation to National Three and they will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that this season.