National Two North: Sedgley look to solidify their position at the top

Sedgley Park will be hoping to stay top of National Two North as they look to continue their winning start to season this weekend, while something has got to give as unbeaten sides Sandal and Leicester Lions meet at Standbridge Lane.

Macclesfield can move into the top three with a win on Saturday while the Luctonians and Broadstreet will be looking for their first points of the campaign.

Otley v Sedgley Park

The league leaders, Sedgley Park travel to Otley this weekend looking to make it four bonus point wins in a row. Sedgley won their opening away fixture of the season against South Leicester and they have scored the most points in this division so far.

As for Otley, they ended a run of just one win in their last 11 matches with victory away at Huddersfield last Saturday and now they will be hoping to build on that this weekend against Sedgley.

Otley have won just one of their last seven matches at home and were beaten by Sedgley 39-10 in this fixture last year. One positive which the men from Cross Green can take into this fixture, is that Sedgley have conceded the most points in the top half of the table.

Sandal v Leicester Lions

I am not too sure many people would’ve predicated the start these two sides have made. Newly promoted Sandal sit in third while Leicester Lions, who fought off relegation last season, are second and both teams are level on points heading into this weekend.

The hosts have made a flying start. Three wins out of three with two of those victories coming at home, suggests that going to Sandal is no easy task.  They have won 15 out of their last 16 games at home and will be looking to extend that run this weekend.

In terms of Leicester, they have gone about their business efficiently and professionally so far. Also with three wins under their belts, they will be hoping to make it another victory on the road this Saturday. If they manage to achieve this, the Lions would’ve matched their total of away wins from last season already.

Broadstreet v Macclesfield

Macclesfield will be looking to move into the top three with a win over bottom side Broadstreet. After a defeat on the opening day to of the season, the Blues have picked up two straight victories as they go in search of an immediate return to National One.

As for the hosts, the heights of a seventh place finish last season seem a distant memory as they are still winless and without a point to their name. They did win 11 of their 15 home games last season, but this will be another tough assignment for ‘Street who are already five points adrift at the foot of the table.

Harrogate v Stourbridge

After their first defeat of the season to Sandal, Harrogate will be hoping to bounce back with a win over Stourbridge this weekend. That loss to Sandal added to ‘Gates problems at home as they have now won only two of their last eight games at Rudding Lane.

In terms of Stourbridge, they are heading into this match off the back of two defeats to Sandal and Caldy and their ambitions of pushing for promotion are slowing fading away. Stour have now won just five of their last 16 games away from home. Having said that, one of the victories was an 11-17 win against Harrogate, on the opening day of last season.

Tynedale v Chester

It hasn’t been a straight forward start to life in National Two North for Tynedale after being relegated from National One last season. With just one win to their name, they lie mid-table but it is still very early days.  Andy Buist’s side will be eager to add to their home victory against Huddersfield two weeks ago.

As for Chester, they were stunned at home last weekend when they were beaten quite comfortably by newly promoted South Leicester. They will be hoping that that is just a blip in an otherwise solid start for the men from Hare Lane. Chester go into this one searching for their seventh win on the road in their last 17 matches.

Preston Grasshoppers v Caldy

Preston Grasshoppers welcome Caldy to Lightfoot Green this weekend with this fixture being the fourth straight away match of the season for the Wirral outfit.

The home side will be looking for a response after their humbling defeat to Macclesfield last Saturday and can take confidence into their latest battle with Caldy after a win over them at the back end of last season.

In terms of Caldy, they came away with the points from Stourbridge last week and have won two of their three games on their travels thus far.  There have been sixteen league meetings between the two clubs with the Caldy holding the upper hand over Preston. Will history be on their side this weekend?

South Leicester v Sale FC

It was an excellent week for these two sides last weekend as both picked up their maiden victories in National Two North after promotion to the division last year.

South put in an excellent performance away at Chester and will feel they are more than capable of backing that win up this weekend against Sale FC. They have won 12 of their last 14 matches at home and can move into the top half of the table if results go their way.

As for Sale FC, they got off the mark with a solid victory against Broadstreet last weekend and will fancy their chances of claiming their first points on the road this season. They were beaten by Preston Grasshoppers in their first away outing.

Luctonians v Huddersfield

For both of these sides, a win would be a nice way to end the month. The Lucts are the only other side, along with Broadstreet, that are yet to pick up a point this season and they will be hoping to re-find their form which kept them in this division towards the end of last season. The Luctonians have been beaten by Sandal, Harrogate and Leicester Lions so far this campaign.

In terms of Huddersfield, after a good opening day win against South Leicester they have suffered back to back defeats and they will want to turn that around this Saturday. ‘Field struggled on the road last season and have now won just four of their last 16 away fixtures.