DANNY Mercer (@OneDannyMercer) just loves betting on non-league football. Here he gives us two sides to follow this weekend.
Canvey Island v Grays | Saturday 15:00
This looks a cracking game in the Ryman Isthmian league this weekend! I have followed both these sides closely for many years and look forward to this unravelling.
There's not much to split these sides on their league standings, but Canvey Island have found some very much improved form of late and look value to me at 11/8 with William Hill.
Grays don't travel well and have lost seven of their last eight away league games, leaking 19 in the process. Canvey on the other hand are unbeaten in six league games. They've won three of the last four and were very unlucky to draw the other match against Witham Town.
Last week the Islanders blew apart third placed Dulwich and you'd imagine they'll take so much confidence from that. The loan signing of Taylor Tombides from my side West Ham is a key reason for their improvement.
As well as Tombides, the recruitment of George Sykes on loan from Barnet was a savvy move. He's smashed in seven goals in his last four games and was League Two Apprentice Of The Year in 2013. I know for a fact that Premier League clubs were tracking him.
Tombides and Sykes looks an exciting combination and I expect Canvey to have too much pace, skill and quality in the final third for Grays.
Lincoln v Chester | Saturday 15:00
There's a lot at stake in this match with both sides needing a win to keep their play-off hopes alive. The pair met just under three weeks ago with Chester winning 4-0, the Imps were awful that day and played with nine men for 30 minutes of that game. I think they'll gain revenge this Valentines Day.
Chris Moyses has done a great job since taking the hot seat at Lincoln and his signings have had a positive effect on the team. They struggle away from home, but on home turf they're a different animal and are gunning for their eight consecutive win at Sincil Bank here, Barnet, Aldershot and Dover have all been disposed of recently.
The Imps have Charlee Adams on loan from Birmingham at the moment and he's already scored some crackers for them. On top of Adams they have Ben Tomlinson, Jordan Burrow and Sam Delano-Yorke up front and have recently signed John Marsden on loan from Southport. It's a fearsome line up in that final third!
Chester aren't the best side on their travels and have lost nine of their last 14 road trips. It's another reason for me to side with Lincoln here at a plump 17/10.
Best Bets
Canvey Island v Grays – Canvey Island to win (11/8 William Hill)
Lincoln v Chester – Lincoln to win (17/10 William Hill)
