A South East- 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.

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.

Ramsgate have been in blistering form of late. The Rams knocked Premier Division side Cray Wanderers out of the Cup on Wednesday evening, the second Premier side they’ve despatched after a five-one hammering of league leaders Chatham Town in the previous round. The Rams have lost only one league match, that defeat coming on the opening day, and the victors in that game, Sevenoaks Town, head to the Kent coast for a rematch. Oaks have also had a fine start to the campaign and will be hoping to prove that their opening day win was anything but a fluke.

Sheppey United have been in fine form, through to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and unbeaten in the league. They welcome neighbours Sittingbourne in an all-ticket match and local derby, the two sides having already met this season, a two-two draw on August Bank Holiday Monday.

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.

South East

We’ve one match in the South East Division, Horndean welcoming Herne Bay. The Deans fell to defeat in the Cup last weekend, and don’t yet have a league win, but to be fair they also have only one league defeat! Bay bounced back from an FA Trophy hammering last weekend to defeat Sheppey United in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night, but haven’t yet found anything that loks like consistency.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.