A South Central- and Trophy- Saturday

Ascot United will count themselves unlucky to lose to Premier Division Lewes in the Cup last weekend, as the Yellas dominated much of the second half and perhaps deserved a draw. They welcome another Sussex side to the Racecourse Ground, Lancing making the trip. United have now lost their last two matches, ending a run of five consecutive wins, and will hope to get back to winning ways. The Lancers were last in action in defeating United’s South Central rivals Chipstead in the last round- and indeed have defeated two South central sides this season, so will be hoping for a hat trick.

Badshot Lea, the other side defeated by the Lancers, welcome South Central opponents Sutton Common Rovers. Both sides are in decent form, the Baggies having won their last three matches in all competitions, and Rovers having done the same- and indeed the last two hundred and seventy minutes has seen the visitors score ten goals and concede only one.

Chertsey Town play host to Hythe Town. Both sides suffered defeats last weekend, the Curfews at Raynes Park Vale by the odd goal in five, the Cannons an unexpected thrashing at Chichester City, their first away defeat of the campaign. They did bounce back to defeat Sittingbourne in the Velocity Trophy in midweek, however. Town went out of the FA Cup against South Central opposition, Hanworth Villa, and will be hoping to ensure that lightning does not strike twice.

Cray Valley PM are having a fine campaign, unbeaten in all competitions and scoring lots of goals- eighteen in their last five matches. They finally defeated South Central opposition in the shape of Northwood in a midweek Cup replay, and have more South Central opposition in the Trophy as Hartley Wintney come to call. The visitors travel on the back of two one-nil wins, and hoping for a third clean sheet in a row at the very least.

Metropolitan Police welcome Ashford United to Imber Court. The Boys in Blue have only one win in all competitions so far this season, that coming in the last round against Phoenix Sports- whilst the travelling Nuts and Bolts probably don’t want to hear anything about Phoenix Sports whatsoever after the match between the two sides last weekend. United came from behind to go three-two up against Sports with only seventeen minutes remaining, only to somehow contrive to lose five-three! Prior to that match they’d been in good form- and indeed hit another South Central side, Binfield, for seven in the last round.

South Park (Reigate) welcome Pitching In Isthmian South East leaders Three Bridges. The Sparks have won their last three matches in all competitions- including Cup/Trophy wins against two South East sides, Erith & Belvedere and East Grinstead Town. Bridges bring with them a seven match unbeaten run which has seen them win their last three matches, and will be full of confidence as they head past Gatwick for what is essentially a local derby, despite the two sides being in different Divisions. Less than ten miles separate the sides.

Southall and Leatherhead meet in an all-South Central tie. The All were very unlucky to fall to late defeat in the FA Cup against National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough last weekend, a result which narrowly ended a six match unbeaten run. The Tanners were actually the last side before last weekend to defeat them, a two-one win at Fetcham Grove on opening day- and Leatherhead have been very good indeed since then; indeed, the only side to beat them so far this season are Premier Division Horsham, and even that needed a replay.

Westfield welcome Marlow- and have reduced admission to a fiver for fans of Woking or York City attending the early evening kick off over the road. The hosts have saved their best performances this season for Cup competitions- indeed all of their victories have been away from the league- whilst Marlow will consider themselves unlucky not to have knocked out Premier Division side Horsham in the Cup last Saturday, before falling to midweek replay defeat. The visitors have played six matches on the road this season and lost only once- a Velocity Cup defeat against Northwood earlier this month.

South Central

Leaders Raynes Park Vale have a potentially difficult trip to Chipstead in prospect. The Chips are unbeaten and aware that three points could take them up to second place, whilst Vale have been in magnificent league form, four matches, four wins, an average of three goals a game- and could go five points clear could they win once more.

Northwood have played as many as three matches fewer than some of their South Central rivals, but have won both of their League matches so far. The Woods will hope not to be fatigued after two tense and exciting cup battles against Cray Valley PM ended in defeat, and they welcome Ashford Town looking for the win that will send them into the top five. The Tangerines are without a win since the opening day of the season- and yet an away win could see them climb as high as sixth!

Binfield have had the kind of start to the campaign that they’d like to forget, but have had nearly two weeks to get over the seven-one defeat they experienced against Ashford United and will hope to kickstart their season as Hanworth Villa come to call. The Villains have had a fine FA Cup, three wins from three, but don’t yet have a league win so far.

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