Non-league / Gary Boswell / 21 August 2008 / Leave a comment

Gary Boswell previews all the non-league action for the weekend. But before that, he has his betting brain fixed on Oxford United. They visit the Racecourse Ground to play Wrexham this evening.

There's a chance that Oxford's stalwart goalkeeper Billy Turley will be back between the sticks for tonight's visit to the Racecourse Ground. Star striker Jamie Guy - on loan from Colchester and burning rubber in the pre-season games before clattering his hamstring against Portsmouth - is also reportedly well on the way back from the physio's couch.

Two factors to watch out for in the line-ups on Setanta before getting involved in the in-play betting. On the face of it, the [4.0] on Darren Patterson's Us looks a long and inviting price for a side who bagged six last game. James Constable got his first for the season and has the chance to prove that his summer move from Shrewsbury was not a red herring. There's a chance that if they stay injury free, Constable and Guy will be a double-act to trip off the golden boot tongue by the end of the season as they look on paper to be a duo that could set the Blue Square Premier alight.

Without Turley and Guy, Oxford could conceivably be the lightweight outfit they looked against Barrow on opening day and there is a perception that whilst Brian Little's Red Dragons are obviously not going to be setting the division on fire after their two tame efforts on the road last week, they could still be a pretty fearsome prospect at the Racecourse - capable of breathing fire on home soil.

[2.06] to [2.1] looks to be the trading parameter price on Wrexham which seems fair enough. All the things I said pre-season about them looking well organised at the back with a possible problem scoring goals are proving accurate and they will be a difficult nut for Oxford to crack but the favourites still have an appalling hit rate ratio in the Live on Setanta games and I might be looking to take them on with the [3.7] draw price in my back pocket as a saver. Especially if the names of Turley and Guy appear on the horizon.

Those who like to trade in-play on the 0-0 will be interested in the [14.0] correct score price that was up as I penned this. Betfair keep that market live so trading potential is clearly there and it is a bonny way to play on games where tight defensive set-ups prevail. There hasn't been a goal in any of the three Setanta games so far before the 25th minute and last season's predilection toward yo-yoing scorelines in the live games is also absent with the losing side not having got on the scoresheet so far this season. That trend could well continue tonight.

Several bets appeal over the weekend, although this is a clutch of short-price bankers rather than value long-shots. My father used to have a strong maxim that you never back favourites on a bank holiday so if you subscribe to that superstition, you should perhaps close your eyes now!

Rock solid are John Hollins' Weymouth who play host to a Lewes side that surprised everyone by pinching a point at Aggborough on the opening day but have reverted to the tag as Blue Square Premier whipping boys since. The Terras are still being watched as a possible title tip and have started best of the longshots. They fit the pattern that Aldershot and Dagenham have conformed to in the past two seasons as a Conference side that no-one talked about (hence the whopping price still on the outrights) quietly improving under an astute new manager. The mix of experienced heads and young talent also looks in place at the Wessex and if the Terras are top after the six game portfolio benchmark, you can't say you didn't read it here first!

Colin Walker's York are my second best in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday as they seek to cement their strong start with a win at Dino Maamria's strangely lacklustre Northwich. I'm very impressed with the way Walker is quietly building at the KitKat. The Minstermen have moved off my pre-season neutrals list into being a positive back. Initially, the loss of Martyn Woolford looked a debilitator but Walker has pulled that psychological trick of making his departure into a feel-good factor for the club. Room for new blood to come in and make their name. One of the real tricks of football club management that Walker has mastered. The young goalkeeper Josh Mimms took his chance in the Setanta game last week and all the signs are there that York City are going to be a club challenging for honours this season.

Blue Square South was not a fertile ground for Boz winners last year and I hesitate to tip there this season with my geographical restrictions meaning I see much less of that league on which to base my judgements. I know enough about Terry Brown, however, to know that AFC Wimbledon are on the hit list for this campaign and they can bolster their 100% start with another win on Saturday as they visit Basingstoke. [2.0] might be achievable on the Betfair markets and is worth posting. Brown is in the press this week stating that he is not rushing to bring in a strike partner for goal-machine Jon Main. That kind of patient build up mentality is the hallmark of a man who knows what he's doing. Them's the sort with whom I'm happy to entrust my cash!

Tags: Betting, Blue Square Premier, Non-League Football, Oxford United, Racecourse Ground, Wrexham