A Premier- and Cup Tuesday

We start our preview in the Emirates FA Cup, where Sheppey United are the hosts for Billericay Town. The Pitching In Isthmian South East Ites took an early lead at the Blues on Saturday, and played very well, so will have a measure of confidence that they can finish the job on their own patch this evening. The Premier Division side, however, are unbeaten on the road- indeed they’ve won every away match but one- and will be convinced that it is they who will be hosting Walsall in the First Round.

Such has been the Ites Cup success, incidentally, that they find themselves down in sixteenth place in the South East table despite being unbeaten- they’ve managed to play only three league matches, as many as six fewer than those around them.

Into the Pitching In Isthmian Premier, and Chatham Town will look to narrow the gap between themselves and leaders Hornchurch to three points with victory at Margate. The Chats are on a five match unbeaten run in all competitions, and are unbeaten in their six matches on the road so far this season. The hosting Blues, in contrast, are playing their first home match for more than a month, but have lost their last four- all on the road. They fell in the league at Canvey Island on September 23rd, and have since departed the Kent Cup, FA Cup and FA Trophy.

So close is the Pitching In Isthmian Premier table that the sides in thirteenth and fourteenth, Horsham and Wingate & Finchley, could conceivably find themselves level on points with the sides in fourth and fifth should they win tonight- indeed, the Hornets could actually climb to fourth. Of course, only one of them can win, as they face each other in North London, but both sides will be buoyed by fine results at the weekend. The Hornets, of course, earned an FA Cup First Round tie at Barnsley by knocking out National League side Dorking Wanderers, whilst the Blues were winning on the road at Hastings United, due to a fine hat trick for Elliot Long.

The last six meetings between the sides have seen four Hornets wins, one draw, and one win for the Blues. Their last meeting, in February, looked to be heading for a nil-nil draw until, right at the end, Shamir Fenelon and Tom Richards managed to turn one point into three for Horsham.

The Velocity Cup Third Round sees Herne Bay welcome Folkestone Invicta. Bay have won their last two matches at home, although their form has been a little inconsistent. Invicta have also had an inconsistent start to their campaign, but they did get back to winning ways against Cheshunt at the weekend following a seven match winless run across Cups and Trophy.

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