National League – Saturday 27th January 2024

I'm Tom Feaheny and these are my National League picks, so another weekend of fixtures and there are some really interesting games on the horizon to go with it.
Well, the first match is Chesterfield, the runaway leaders, the team who really seem like they can't be stopped in their quest to gain promotion to the EFL, while they're taking on a team that beat them not that long ago in Southend United.
They've obviously had a difficult few years, but finally their transfer embargo has been lifted and they've been able to add some players to their squad and Kevin Maher signing that new contract as well. A big boost for the Shrimpers. Now, if that 10 point deduction hadn't happened, Southend would be in with a real chance of getting a play off place. There's still an outside chance for them.
This, though, is going to be a really tough game for the side, for Chesterfield that they know now. It's just all about gaining the points, getting that bit closer to gaining promotion to the EFL. It does feel like that it's almost a certainty now.
It would take a real dip in form for Chesterfield to have any chance of not gaining promotion as champions of the National League, though I do think this is gonna be a really tight game. I think there'll only be a goal in it. I've got to say. I do think it will be Chesterfield who gain all three points as they move a step closer to securing first place.
Selection – A narrow Chesterfield win
This season Kidderminster Harriers has issued an SOS and it's been answered by Phil Brown. Someone with plenty of experience obviously managed in the Premier League and is somebody that knows about the trials of trying to keep a club in a division. It's going to be a real tough test for Kidderminster, but they've got a chance of gaining some points this weekend as they go up against Dagenham and Redbridge, who really are a side to watch when they're on form, but on the flip side they are awful when off form and they look like they're in real trouble of staying in the division. In fact, when looking at the National League table for Dagenham and Redbridge, they know the importance of gaining some more points. As they're really not out of the woods yet in terms of dropping into them, bottom four places come the end of the campaign, this is going to be a real test for Kidderminster. I do think though that they will be able to show a bit of grit and get the win.
I don't think there'll be many goals in it. I think it'll be a really tight game but I do think Kidderminster. Again, what would be a really important three points.
Selection – A win for Phil Brown and Kidderminster Harriers

Finally Wealdstone have had such an impressive home record over the last few years, obviously manager Stuart Maynard has left the club going to Notts County, gaining a deserved chance in the EFL. It's going to be really interesting to see if they can keep that going. I do think this weekend with the atmosphere that they create at their ground, I think that they will be gaining the win against FC. Halifax Town it would be an important three points for the stones as well.
Selection – A Wealdstone win