A South Central and Trophy Preview

Leaders Northwood have seen their advantage cut to two points, and it could be cut to just one point if they fall to a third successive defeat and Marlow pick up three points. The Woods, newly reinforced with Uxbridge forward Juwon Akintunde, welcome Merstham- a first ever meeting between the clubs. The Moatsiders are still searching for their first South Central win of the season and prop up the rest, but you’d have to expect that to change sometime soon- they’ll hope that today is that day.

Marlow’s hopes of three points and a climb to second will have a fairly determined obstacle in their way, as Chertsey Town come to call. The hosts haven’t scored in their last two matches- a three-nil Velocity Cup defeat to Binfield and a goalless draw with Merstham- whilst the Curfews have scored seven in their last two and look to be heading back to their best.

A win for Basingstoke Town will take them into the top five- perhaps as high as fourth. They welcome Chipstead, the Chips boosted by their win over Uxbridge last time out. Stoke are three games unbeaten- three games in which they’ve not conceded a goal.

Southall also have top five pretentions, and a win over Thatcham Town today could take them there. The home side, however, have only a penalty shootout win to show from any match since August 27th, whilst the visitors hit form in a big way last Saturday, smashing five goals past Bedfont Sports.

Another side who could end the day in the top five are South Park Reigate. The Sparks have a new 3G pitch to christen, the ten points they’ve earned so far all coming away from home due to necessity, as the new pitch was being paid. They welcome a side used to playing on artificial surfaces, Sutton Common Rovers, who make the short trip from their Whyteleafe home. Rovers have gone six matches without a win, five in the League.

Guernsey welcome Ashford Town. The Tangerines will be buoyed by their second victory of the season over leaders Northwood last weekend, whilst the Green Lions will be looking for a first home win of the campaign- and only a second in total.

Into the FA Trophy now.

Burgess Hill Town picked up their first League win of the season last time out, but the Hillians have been much better in cup competitions. They welcome Pitching In Isthmian South Central Hanworth Villa, the Villains having won their last four matches and scored three goals in each of them. They defeated another Pitching In Isthmian South East side- and indeed another Sussex side- Littlehampton Town in the last round.

Hendon play host to our (nearly) all conquering Moles, Binfield heading to North London. Unbeaten in the league- indeed with only one defeat all season in all competitions- the Moles will be full of confidence, although their hosts are six matches unbeaten across all competitions and defeated out very own Herne Bay in the Cup last weekend.

Uxbridge host Walton & Hersham in a South Central Trophy derby. The two met in the league just over a month ago, the Swans running out with a three-one win, so Uxbridge have a quick chance of revenge. The Swans saw an eleven match unbeaten run come to an end in the cup last weekend.

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