Salford City make a welcome return to league action when they face Brackley at Moor Lane, kick off 3pm.
The Ammies will be hoping to use last Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round win against Bradford Park Avenue as a catalyst to end their recent lull in the league.
Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men have not won in their last three attempts in the league, having conceded late on against FC Halifax Town, before suffering defeats against Kidderminster Harriers and most recently Chorley FC.
Read: Salford City off to FA Cup flyer with Bradford beating
It has resulted in a completely different picture for a side that at the start of the month found themselves top of the league.
The Ammies are currently seventh in the Vanarama National League North, however could return to the summit with a win and if results go in their favour.
Read: Tempers fray as Salford go down to Chorley
Should Salford return to top spot though, it would potentially represent a false position, with AFC Fylde having a game in hand following their trip to Stockport County postponed due to the awful weather last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Brackley who are only a place and two points behind Salford, could sneak into the play off spots if they win and results also go in their favour.
Goals should be guaranteed: so far this campaign Salford and Brackley have scored in every match bar three and at a combined rate of two goals a game.
Watch: ‘Relentless’ Salford City smash Alfreton to go top
One thing that will concern visiting supporters however, is that every time they have failed to score they have gone on to lose the game.
While it may seem obvious point that you have to score to win, it poses the question whether the Northamptonshire outfit can deal with what is still a phenomenal Salford attack at this level.
Watch: 2,000 crowd watch last minute heartbreak for Salford City
Salford have failed to score in just one game so far this season, and have scored in every home game, and whilst The Ammies don’t statistically possess the best attack in the league; the interchange of player such as James Poole, Mike Phenix and Richie Allen make them a difficult side to mark.
Defensively however is where Johno and Morley have a headache with Simon Grand still serving a three-game suspension for his sending off against Kidderminster.
The joint managers have options at centre half, with Harry Worley looking to fill the gap like he did against Bradford, however other options include shifting full-back Michael Nottingham to central defence or dropping Richie Wellens deeper with Matt Warburton retaining his place in central midfield.
With options of that calibre though, it’s a healthy dilemma for the managers to have.
Main image: Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
