The race for the National League title looks set to step up a notch in the coming week, as Torquay United could move within three points of current leaders Sutton United this Saturday.
Should Gary Johnson's side beat Weymouth at Plainmoor on Saturday then the third placed Gulls will be just three points behind the U's ahead of their 'six-pointer' next Tuesday at Gander Green Lane. The U's, of course, are without a game as they had been due to face Dover Athletic, who have had their league record expunged for refusing to complete their fuxtures.
And United then make two wins out of two against Sutton they will be level on points with the U's and they could even move above them on goal difference - depending on their prowess in front of goal.
Nevertheless, there is another variable that could affect the Gulls' ability to return to the top of the National League tree - and that's the potential outcome of second placed Hartlepool United's clash with play-off chasers Notts County, which is being broadcast live on BT Sport. If the Pools win, they will return to the league's summit (a win would give Hartlepool 64 points, which would put them one point ahead of Sutton on 63) and would remain top despite not having a game next Tuesday.
However, it is also worth mentioning that both Sutton and Torquay both have three games in hand over Hartlepool - which will be reduced to two in the case of the Gulls when they meet each other next week.
It is also worth mentioning that Sutton and Hartlepool are due to face each on May 22, in what will be the U's penultimate National League fixture and Hartlepool's final game, as they had been due to face Dover on that day. Therefore it wouldn't be a huge shock if the National League title went right to the wire and was decided on the final day of the campaign.
