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Blue Square South Boxing Day preview

Newport County will be looking to extend their 12-point lead at the top of the Blue Square South standings, while Dorchester play host to local rivals Weymouth.

12th-placed Bishop's Stortford entertain high-flying Braintree Town at Woodside Park as they look to bounce back to winning ways.

Mark Simpson's side currently trail the play-off places and their opponents by six points and a victory on Boxing Day could see them get their play-off campaign back on track.

However, they can expect a stern test from Braintree, who will be looking to record the double over their opponents for the fourth consecutive season.

Braintree assistant manager Jason Broom told the Braintree and Witham Times: "I think derby games mean a lot more to the fans than the management, because you can only take three points from the game.

"We need to continue to be disciplined and organised and look at is as another chance to get three points."

Chelmsford City prepare for the visit of fellow promotion hopefuls Thurrock to Melbourne Stadium with just one point separating them in the league standings.

The Clarets find themselves sitting in 6th place with 34 points from 21 games, while the Fleet occupy third place with 35 points from 20 games.

Seventh-placed Eastleigh take on eighth-placed Basingstoke Town at Silverlake Stadium with both sides on equal points in the Blue Square South.

Eastleigh boss Ian Baird has a selection crisis on his hands with just 16 fit players to choose from.

He told the Daily Echo: "We have got to keep everything crossed - our fingers and our legs - that we don't pick up any more injuries or suspensions.

"I do know though that we have got Brett Poate one booking away from suspension and also, I believe Aaron Cook is the same.

"We have just got to get on with it and hope we don't get any more."

Basingstoke boss Frank Gray will also be forced to make a number of changes to his starting line-up with key defenders Robert Rice and Fraser Franks unavailable for selection.

Rice will miss out due to a suspension, while Franks' loan from Brentford has come to an end.

Looking ahead to the Boxing Day clash, Gray told the Basingstoke Gazette: "Eastleigh are a side you expect to be there or thereabouts.

"They have got a run going now and I expect them to be near the top for the rest of the season.

"If we are able to cut out the mistakes, it should be a close game. It will be tough but we want to do as well as we can."

Elsewhere, Hampton & Richmond Borough will entertain 14th-placed Staines Town at the Beveree Stadium, while Shaun Gale's Havant and Waterlooville play host to fourth-placed Woking at West Leigh Park.

Relegation-threatened Lewes prepare for the visit of second-placed Dover to the Dripping Pan.

Saturday's Blue Square South Fixtures:

Bishop's Stortford v Braintree Town, 13:30

Chelmsford v Thurrock, 13:00

Dorchester v Weymouth, 15:00

Eastleigh v Basingstoke, 12:00

Hampton & Richmond v Staines Town, 15:00

Havant and W v Woking, 15:00

Lewes v Dover, 15:00

Maidenhead Utd v St Albans, 15:00

Welling v Bromley, 13:00

Weston-S-Mare v Bath City, 15:00

Worcester v Newport County, 12:30