The midweek Blue Square South preview

Hampton & Richmond will have the chance to cut the gap on league leaders AFC Wimbledon to just four points when they take on Newport County, while Maidenhead United are looking to advance further up the Blue Square South standings.

Havant and Waterlooville v Team Bath

This week's action gets underway with the relegation-battling Hawks squaring off against Team Bath at West Leigh Park on Monday night.

Both teams will be confident going into the clash as the hosts recorded a 0-0 draw against league-leaders AFC Wimbledon, who had failed to drop points in 15 games.

The Scholars, meanwhile, routed Dorchester Town 4-1 at Twerton Park courtesy of a superb Josh Llewellyn hat-trick.

Three points will see Andy Tillson's charges advance their play-off ambitions.

In contrast the Hawks will find themselves back in the bottom three if they fail to pick up a point and Thurrock draw or win against Maidenhead.

Shaun Gale is set to be without the services of Gary Holloway (rib) and Charlie Henry (hamstring) while Louie Castles (stitches) and Wes Fogden (foot) are doubts.

Basingstoke v Welling United

Struggling Basingstoke Town will be aiming to collect maximum points when they host Welling at the Camrose on Tuesday night.

The Dragons edged out high-flying Bath City in their last encounter and will need to build a winning run to try and evade the drop.

Defender Miles Mitchell-Coop (hip) is not expected to feature, while Sam Tucknott, who is still building up his match fitness is set to gain a cameo role.

The ninth-placed visitors will be without Sonny Cobbs, who picked up an injury in the 1-1 draw against Braintree. Matthew McEntegart is expected to deputise in his absence.

Hampton & Richmond v Newport County

Hampton & Richmond will want to slash AFC Wimbledon's advantage at the summit to just four points when they entertain Newport County.

The Beavers are currently second in the standings and will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Exiles outfit.

The hosts are in impeccable form and won their ninth game in succession against Worcester City on Saturday - extending their unbeaten run to 16 games.

Meanwhile, County could have ex-Lewes striker Tom Lyons in their ranks for the encounter.

The 21-year-old is hoping to complete a deal in time to feature after travelling with the squad for Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hayes and Yeading.

Exiles player-coach Steve Jenkins admitted the loss was disappointing and is hoping his team-mates perform better against Hampton & Richmond.

"This is the business we are in, we have to pick ourselves up and forget about Saturday and focus on having a good week," he told the South Wales Argus.

"They were a good side and it was always going to be hard for us after giving away a bad first goal.

"But they are a quality side, as good as we've played this season, and we paid the price for not taking our chances when they came, we have to do that tomorrow (Tuesday)."

Craig Reid is unlikely to make the trip for County as he is struggling with a hamstring injury.

"You have to be so, so careful with hamstrings, we can't rush him and then he'll tear it and be out for the season, which can easily happen, we have to take it on a game- by-game basis," Jenkins added.

"We know we are better than we showed on Saturday, and while our form has been poor of late we aren't panicking at the moment, we have the quality to get back on a good run and hopefully that will start tomorrow.

"It's a tough place to go, Hampton play five across the back and play for set pieces and are a huge side, but we can compete if we do the basics right," he concluded.

Bath City v Bishops Sford

Bath City will be eager to bounce back when Bishops Stortford visit Twerton Park after their play-off aims were dented by Basingstoke on Saturday.

The Romans are eight points adrift of fifth-placed Maidenhead United, but have two games in hand over the Magpies.

Adie Britton's charges will be wary of the visitors, who pulled off a stunning win against title-chasing Chelmsford City despite their numerical disadvantage.

Left-back Narada Bernard was sent off in the encounter and will thus miss Tuesday's clash.

Liam Hopkins and Craig Edwards Junior sat out against the Clarets due to injury and are expected to remain on the sidelines.

Maidenhead Utd v Thurrock

Maidenhead United will want to continue their surge up the standings when they welcome relegation-battling Thurrock to York Road.

The Magpies, who are currently in fourth spot, held their play-off rivals Eastleigh to a goalless draw at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday.

Thurrock are currently third-from-bottom but have games in hand over their drop-zone rivals. Three points would see them leapfrog Havant and Waterlooville if the Hawks fail to win against Team Bath on Monday.