National League games this weekend: Rochdale handed free hit as rivals focus on FA Cup

There are only seven National League fixtures scheduled for this Saturday, as six fifth-tier teams are competing in the FA Cup second round.

With Carlisle United and Boreham Wood in cup action, and York City not playing,  Rochdale will be striving to stretch their lead at the top of the table to three points.

However, Forest Green Rovers can ensure they stay within touching distance and only sit one point and three places below the early promotion favourites.

You can catch every inch of the action from all the fixtures live on DAZN , and here is the pick of what to look out for.

Watch over 600 games from the National League and the National League North and South with a special offer on an annual subscription.

Bostonunited.co.uk

Games to watch from the National League this weekend

Morecambe vs Boston United

• Date:  Saturday, December 6
• Time:  12:30pm GMT

The lunchtime offering this Saturday comes from The Mazuma Mobile Stadium, as Morecambe welcome Boston United.

Ashvir Singh Johal's side have faced off-field issues but are desperate to get their National League campaign back on track. After picking up some much-needed points, The Shrimps fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Braintree Town last weekend.

As for Boston United, they are slipping down the table after a run of five games without victory, including four defeats. The Pilgrims were narrowly beaten by Yeovil Town last Saturday and will want to avenge their 4-0 loss to Morecambe in late October.

Rochdale vs Southend United

• Date: Saturday, December 6
• Time:  3:00pm GMT

While there is a strong collective of sides vying for National League promotion this season, it is Rochdale who have the early advantage at the top of the pile.

Although The Dale are only ahead of Carlisle on goal difference, they have two games in hand on all of their closest challengers. Having recorded a straightforward 2-0 win over Eastleigh last weekend, Jim McNulty's side face a much sterner test in Southend United this Saturday.

The Shrimpers are chasing promotion themselves and sit in seventh position, but they have Hartlepool United just two points behind and in decent form. Last weekend, Kevin Maher's side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by fellow promotion hopefuls Forest Green Rovers and should put up a strong fight against Rochdale.

Scunthorpe United vs Tamworth

• Date:  Saturday, December 6
• Time: 5:30pm GMT

Scunthorpe United are another team looking to benefit from the cohort of National League teams playing in the FA Cup this weekend when they face mid-table Tamworth.

Their clash with The Lambs at the Attis Arena is effectively a game in hand, and a victory would mean that they can close the gap on fifth-place Boreham Wood to four points. However, The Iron are without a win in their last three league games, having been defeated 4-2 by Altrincham last weekend.

While Tamworth are also in indifferent form, they delivered a spirited performance in their 2-1 defeat to Carlisle last time out. Andy Peaks' side have the chance to pull off an upset and climb the table towards the play-off places with a win.

National League games taking place this weekend

Saturday, December 6 (3:00pm GMT unless stated)

• Aldershot Town vs Altrincham
• Forest Green Rovers vs Solihull Moors
• Halifax Town vs Braintree Town
• Hartlepool United vs Yeovil Town
• Morecambe vs Boston United (12:30pm GMT)
• Rochdale vs Southend United
• Scunthorpe United vs Tamworth (5:30pm GMT)

Watch National League football live exclusively on DAZN

You can watch the 2025-26 season with a National League TV DAZN subscription.

Every game in the National League, and selected matches in National League North and National League South, is available on DAZN. That's over 600 games to watch live or on demand catch-up, all in one place.

NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.

For more information and to sign up, head here now.