As long as the weather holds, there are eight non-league games to look forward to between steps 2 and 6 on Saturday with four games being played at home.
We start in the National League South where Weymouth travel to Chippenham Town. The Terras will be in good spirits following their Dorset Cup semi-final victory over Dorchester in midweek, and will be looking for some crucial points.
Bobby Wilkinson’s side find themselves languishing in 19th place, but a win over The Bluebirds could see the National League side close the gap on their rivals to one point and one-step closer to pulling themselves out of the relegation zone.
In the Southern League Premier South, Dorchester take on Winchester at the Avenue Stadium, and will want to put that defeat to Weymouth out of their minds.
A win will keep the team hot on the heels of Poole Town who sit three points above them in fourth place. Victory will make it three consecutive wins for Glenn Howes’ side as they continue to chase a playoff spot.
The other Premier South tie this weekend is that of Poole Town. A 3-2 comeback win for The Dolphins against Shaftesbury on Tuesday set up a Dorset Cup final with Weymouth, to extend the club’s winning streak to six.
And with Dortchester hot on the tails’ of Tom Killick’s side, Saturday’s trip to Hanwell will give the team no time to rest on their laurels and any thoughts of lifting the cup for a 15th time will have to be banished for now.
Our final game in the Premier South is Portland United’s trip to Portsmouth to face Moneyfields. The game will be Mark ‘Reggie’ Carter’s first game in charge after taking over as interim manager after Franklyn Clarke’s departure in the week.
In Division One, high-flying Hamworthy United take on Evesham at the County Ground and are aiming to go second in the table with a win. Dan Cann’s side have had a brilliant first season in the Southern League and back-to-back promotions could well be in the offing this season.
Wimborne Town could also go second in the table if they better the Hammers result as both teams hunt down AFC Totton. Tim Sills’ team will fancy their chances of coming away with a win as they travel to bottom of the table Bristol Manor Farm.
On to the Wessex League Premier, and Bournemouth Poppies take on a very strong AFC Stoneham side. Phil Brown’s team are in need of points to stave off the threat of relegation, but coming up against one of the league’s top teams will prove a tough ask for the Zamu Road-based club.
Just down the road at Hurn Bridge, Christchurch have an opportunity to lift themselves into the top-half of the table. Victory over Pagham could see The Priory jump to 10th.
Finally there are two games in the Wessex League Division One. Richard Morse’s Ringwood Town have a daunting trip to Andover New Street where they will face the in-form team of the League. Unbeaten, The Street are level on points with New Milton with three games in hand at the top of the table.
Ringwood on the other hand have had four of their last six games called off due to bad weather and will be itching to get back on the pitch – even if they do face a tough test.
Last but not least, Hamworthy Recreation will be looking to continue their fine form in what is their inaugural season in the Wessex League. Victory over a strong Downton side would see them climb to 6th, just one place outside the playoffs.
All games are scheduled to kick-off at 3pm and subject to the weather. The rain and cold has plagued havoc with the non-league fixture schedule over the past month and more heavy rainfall could see games called off again.
Crowd funding in place to save Colehill Cricket Club