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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Newport County will be looking to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the table, while second-placed Dover travel to play-off hopefuls Bromley.

Bath City can expect a stern test from Dean Holdsworth's Newport County when they visit Twerton Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Romans will be on a high after their 5-0 victory over Woking in midweek and manager Adie Britton is relishing the chance to beat the league leaders.

He told The Bath Chronicle: "We have 24 games remaining and our goal must be to win 15 of them. If we do that we'll be in the play-offs.

"But we always take each game as it comes and Saturday's will be difficult. Newport are the runaway leaders and are by far the best team in the league, as their results show.

"I am a bit surprised at how well they are doing. We beat them 4-0 at their place in March and I thought Dean [Holdsworth] was probably on his way but he has reacted fantastically and pulled things around.

"He must have sprinkled some magic dust on them because their results have been truly magnificent. You very rarely see a side lead a league by so much at this stage of the season, they are just running away with it.

"Having said that, I thought we were desperately unlucky to lose at Newport a couple of months ago so let's see if we can do a bit better and get something out of the game.

"We've got to realise that when we are at it we are not bad, and I just hope a few more of the supporters realise that."

County's Paul Cochlin will line up against former team-mate Richard Evans on Saturday and is looking forward to encounter.

He told the South Wales Argus:

"There is always an element of revenge when you return to an old club, but for me it's more about wanting to rediscover my best form and renew my defensive partnership with Gary Warren.

"This is an absolutely huge game for us, a win over Bath, who we've had a bad time against in recent years, will give us a great cushion and momentum going into the Christmas fixtures. With so many County fans travelling down, it feels like a massive game, a really key fixture for us."

Seventh-placed Bishop's Stortford prepare for the visit of third-placed Woking to Woodside Park as they look to close the gap on the play-off zone.

Woking boss Graham Baker will be looking for a positive response from his players after their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Bath City on Tuesday night.

Eighth-placed Braintree Town take on rock-bottom Weymouth at Cressing Road Stadium with just three points separating them from the play-off places.

Ninth-placed Bromley will fancy their chances this weekend as they take on Dover Athletic, who were held to a goalless draw by Staines Town in midweek.

Relegation-threatened Dorchester Town play host to fellow strugglers Hampton & Richmond Borough and both sides will be desperate to claim all three points.

Mid-table Eastleigh entertain 20th-placed Weston-super-Mare at Silverlake Stadium, while 12-placed Maidenhead United prepare to take on second-from-bottom Lewes at York Road.

Saturday's Blue Square South Fixtures:

Bath City v Newport County

Bishop's Stortford v Woking

Braintree Town v Weymouth

Bromley v Dover

Dorchester v Hampton & Richmond

Eastleigh v Weston-S-Mare

Maidenhead Utd v Lewes

Staines Town v Basingstoke

St Albans v Chelmsford

Thurrock v Havant and Waterlooville

Welling v Worcester