A Boxing Day Premier Bonanza!

Bishop’s Stortford, in second place, have the chance to close to within one point of leaders Hornchurch by defeating the leaders, Hornchurch! Both sides have identical records from their last ten matches- twenty one points and only one defeat- and the Blues will be looking for revenge after losing their meeting on August Bank Holiday Monday by two goals to one. David Smith and Sam Higgins got the Urchins goals, with Chris Harris replying for the Blues. The last nine meetings between the sides see Stortford ahead in wins, five-four- but the Urchins have had the upper hand most recently. This match starts at 12 Noon.

Third place Potters Bar Town travel to the side five points and four places behind them, Enfield Town. The Scholars have gone three matches without a win amongst managerial upheaval, but took an impressive point at Bishop’s Stortford last time out. The Towners have seen a winning streak come to an end with a defeat and draw from their last two, and have a pretty good record against the Scholars, their defeat in August at the Lantern Stadium the first reverse in nine meetings.

Fourth place Cray Wanderers could climb as high as second place if they can defeat Margate at Hartsdown Park. Wands have lost only one of their last ten matches- although they are our draw specialists, whilst Gate have gone three without a win. Wands won’t mind the journey- they have the joint best away record in the Division. Danny Bassett scored the only goal of the game for Wands when they last met. 1PM is kick off time.

Canvey Island, in fifth place, also have the chance to climb as high as second place as they welcome Bowers & Pitsea. Bowers find themselves third from bottom and with only one win from their last ten matches, but they haven’t lost to the Gulls since 2017. Canvey might have lost last time out, but they still climbed a place in midweek due to an Aveley defeat! They’ve a particularly good record at home, too. This one kicks off at 1PM.

Carshalton Athletic have top five pretentions, and could move into the play off places should they defeat Kingstonian. The Robins are on a four game unbeaten streak and have only two defeats from their last ten, whilst the K’s have hit a significant slump, with only one point from their last five matches. Athletic have only won three of their last fifteen meetings with the K’s.

Hastings United host a Sussex derby, Lewes visiting the Pilot Field. Two points and three places separate the two in midtable, with United undoubtedly happier with that given this is their first Premier campaign. United are five unbeaten, whilst the Rooks have become rather difficult to defeat, with only one defeat from ten. Their meeting at Lewes on August Bank Holiday Monday attracted one thousand, six hundred and thirty nine- but it didn’t attract a goal from either side.

Billericay Town got back to winning ways last time out, and they face a side who must struggle to remember what a win feels like, Brightlingsea Regent. The last time our bottom side won a league match was on Bank Holiday Monday, when they defeated…Billericay Town. It’s been all downhill from there, and they have only four points from their last thirty. That midweek win for the Blues followed a five match winless run. 1PM is kick off time.

We’ve a Sussex derby as Bognor Regis Town welcome Horsham. The Rocks had only thirteen available players for their midweek Trophy defeat in Banbury, so will hope to have a few players back in contention for this one. Four games without a win has seen them drop down to fourteenth place. The Hornets ended a three game winless run by defeating Canvey last time out. Four of the last eight meetings between the two have ended in a draw, with both sides picking up two wins each.

Second bottom Herne Bay welcome an improving Folkestone Invicta. Bay are also improving, having drawn their last three matches, but they’ve gone two and a half months without a win; and whilst Invicta are still looking for their usual form they have won three of their last five league matches, the last victory a thumping of Bognor Regis Town. Invicta won their last meeting two-one, with goals from Kadell Daniel and Ade Yusuff. Kieron Campbell replied for Bay.

Wingate & Finchley welcome Haringey Borough. The Blues are two points clear of the bottom four and have only one defeat from their last four- although that does include two draws. Borough, who start the day with a seven point cushion over their hosts, have lost four of their last five and seem to be in something of a slump. They haven’t managed a match since December 11th, when they were hit for five at Cray Wanderers. Borough have won three and drawn one of the last four meetings between the sides- the draw, a goalless one, coming on August Bank Holiday Monday. This match starts at 1PM.

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