A clash of the top two- and big challenges for the rest of the chasing pack

Ramsgate and Chatham Town are separated by three points, and the Chats have a game in hand- so the match between the two on the Kent coast today is really rather significant- indeed, an away win could give us new leaders. Both sides have identical form over the last ten matches, although the Rams protect a slightly longer- four match- unbeaten record as they welcome their closest rivals.

January will be a particularly important month for Town- as well as the Rams it sees them face Beckenham Town twice, and delivers a third meeting of the season against Ashford United. The Rams also have matches against Becks and Cray Valley PM to look forward to.

Ashford United are seven points off the pace in third place, and have played one, two or even three matches more than the other sides in the top five. The Nuts and Bolts are on the road to the Island, where they face Sheppey United- the Ites boosted by that Christmas derby win at Sittingbourne. Sheppey have, however, only won two of their last six, although they have moved five points and seven places above the danger zone. United also got back to winning ways last time out, but their promotion push has faltered with only three wins from their last ten matches.

Beckenham Town, in fourth, make a difficult trip to Sevenoaks Town- eight points and five places behind. Becks have won their last three- and indeed have only one defeat from seven- but this will be their first league match since December 6th, so they’ll hope not to be stale after their enforced weather-related break. Oaks have hit an inconsistent run, with only two wins from six, but have had some magnificent moments and will hope to yet get themselves involved in the promotion shake up.

Cray Valley PM have our longest unbeaten run- nine matches- as they head to VCD Athletic. Vickers are only three points behind- albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference- but they seem to have got their act together once more, with only one defeat from their last five, and should provide strong opposition in this all-green battle. Last season Vickers took four points from the Millers.

Whitehawk have slipped out of the top five courtesy of their worst run of the season- a run which has seen them lose four of their last five matches. Today the Hawks welcome boss Shaun Saunders’ former club, Haywards Heath Town, to the East Brighton seaside- Heath having found their feet under new management with three wins from their last four. Both meetings between the sides last season ended goalless; indeed, their last four meetings have ended in draws.

At Culver Road we have another Sussex derby, as Lancing welcome Littlehampton Town. The Lancers find themselves four from the bottom despite boss Dean Cox’s fine start- a win over Ashford United in their last match on December 17th- whilst the Golds are in fine form, with only two defeats from their last ten matches and only a four point gap between themselves and the top five.

A third Sussex derby- of four- sees East Grinstead Town welcome Chichester City. The Wasps have fallen to just above the bottom four, a run of six defeats from their last nine matches chiefly responsible, but so tight is it at the wrong end of the table that a win today could even take them above their visitors, who are five places better off. City are on their worst run of the season so far, with only one win from their last seven matches. The Wasps took four points from their meetings last season.

Burgess Bill Town should have been hosting Three Bridges, but due to burst pipes and a fire damaging their clubhouse the fixture has been reversed, and will kick off at 1PM at Jubilee Field. That might not be good news for the Hillians, as whilst Bridges have lost every match away from home they have a phenomenal home record, with seven wins from eight matches. Hill, who start the day in twelfth place, are in reasonable form with only three defeats from their last ten, whilst Bridges have won five and lost five during the same period- all of those wins on their own patch. Only second place Chatham Town have been more successful at home.

We have a crucial match between the sides in nineteenth and eighteenth as Corinthian welcome Sittingbourne. Seven points separate the two, and if the Hoops are to escape the bottom two this looks like a must-win match- but they have only won twice all season. The Brickies are on a terrible run which has seen them drop from the upper reaches of the table to the other end- only three points, all from draws, from the last twenty seven available.

Faversham Town find themselves twelve points from safety at the bottom, and having already used a rather incredible sixty players this season. Manager Sammy Moore has now had a few weeks to get his feet under the table and to make changes to his squad, and the Lilywhites will hope to finally achieve some upward momentum as Hythe Town come to call. The Cannons are twelve points better off but only a point above the bottom four, but have looked to be improving of late, with two wins, two defeats and a draw from their last five.

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