A Fantastic fifth place fight- and it’s a battle at the bottom

Our big match today comes from the edge of north London, as Cheshunt welcome Bishop’s Stortford. The Ambers have a point advantage over Folkestone Invicta, who welcome Margate to the BuildKent Stadium.

The match between the Ambers and the Blues is the most intriguing, as Cheshunt know that anything less than a victory could see them relinquish fifth spot, whilst Stortford know that a win would as good as guarantee them second place, which would give them home advantage not only in the play off Semi-Final but, were they to get through that, the Final too. The two clubs are also currently placed to face each other in that Semi-Final.

Both are in good form, but Stortford haven’t conceded a goal since Saturday 5th February- that’s twelve clean sheets in a row- and the Ambers really need to end that run today.

Neither Invicta or Margate have been in good form of late, but both got back to winning ways at the weekend and a Kentish seaside derby always comes with that extra serving of spice, whilst Lewes, who have fallen three points behind the Ambers, know that anything less that victory in their Sussex derby at Bognor Regis Town is likely not to be good enough.

At the other end of the table Leatherhead are three points from safety with two matches to go. Boss Luke Tuffs has done a super job for the Tanners since his arrival, as the idea that they could still survive with two matches to go looked a million miles away at that point, but they must win at Kingstonian today. Second bottom Merstham can’t buy a victory at the moment, and have lost their last nine matches. The Moatsiders need to win at Wingate & Finchley, who have only lost one of their last five- and that against Bishop’s Stortford; whilst third bottom Cray Wanderers host fourth bottom East Thurrock United on Wednesday. Wins for the Tanners and Merstham would dump Cray and the Rocks into the bottom two today.

Brightlingsea Regent, who have a three point cushion over the bottom three, would surely be safe if they could defeat Haringey Borough at the Taydal today. Borough are only one place above their hosts, but entirely safe from the drop.

Elsewhere, Hornchurch will hope to guarantee a home play off spot with a win at Bowers and Pitsea, whilst Enfield TYown will hope to keep up the pressure on the Urchins- who they will probably face in the play off semi final- with a win at Potters Bar Town.

Champions Worthing travel to face Velocity Trophy winners Horsham in what almost looks like a charity shield, and the Mackerel Men will want to continue winning as they pursue a one hundred point target, whilst Carshalton Athletic welcome Corinthian-Casuals in a mid table battle.

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