A three-way battle for top spot

By Ian Townsend

Our top three, Ramsgate, Beckenham Town and Whitehawk, are all in action- whilst Chatham Town and Three Bridges are in cup action

Leaders Ramsgate are on the road, traveling to face Faversham Town. The Rams are unbeaten in the league and have won their last three fixtures by two goals to one, whilst the Lilywhites have won only one of their five matches so far this season. The Rams took six points from six from their encounters last season.

Beckenham Town, with their one hundred percent record and their famous FA Cup win at Dartford on Saturday, host perhaps our match of the day as Cray Valley PM arrive at Eden Park. The Becks have been magnificent throughout, only a penalty shootout defeat in the FA trophy blotting their copybook; whilst the Millers have been magnificent in moments- their three-nil Cup win over Hastings United standing out- but saw a six match unbeaten run come to an end in Cup defeat against Hanwell Town on Saturday.

Whitehawk’s unbeaten run stretches to five matches, but the Hawks play only their second match this month as they travel to Lancing for a Sussex derby. The Lancers have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, but did win their last Sussex derby, against Chichester City on August Bank Holiday Monday. They also took four points from the Hawks last season.

Sittingbourne will climb into the top five if they can defeat Hythe Town. The Brickies haven’t lost a league match since the opening day and have won their last three games in all competitions; whilst the Cannons have gone four matches without a win and lost the last three. Both sides secured a two-one triumph in their matches against each other last season.

Littlehampton Town also host a Sussex derby, as Chichester City come to call. Both sides fell to defeat on Saturday- the Golds at Haywards Heath Town and their visitors at Folkestone in the cup- whilst Town had previously gone three matches without conceding a goal. City have lost three of their last four in all competitions, their only victory coming against Leatherhead in the cup.

VCD Athletic welcome Sevenoaks Town, both sides coming into the match on the back of one-nil victories at the weekend; Vickers at Faversham Town, Oaks in the Cup at Phoenix Sports. Athletic had gone four matches without a win prior to that victory, whilst Oaks have been better in cup competitions than the league. They have but one league victory, yet have five wins in cup competitions.

We have a Mid-Sussex derby as Burgess Hill Town welcome Haywards Heath Town. This match always has an edge about it, but more so this time as the Hillians have lost their first four league matches and prop up the rest, so are in desperate need of a victory. Heath are four points better off, but only got their first win of the season on Saturday. Heath took four points from six in the matches between the two last season.

Chatham Town welcome Walton & Hersham for a replay after coming from two goals down to earn a draw in the FA Cup on Saturday, whilst Three Bridges were but seconds from a famous victory at Lewes on Saturday and will hope to go one better as they meet again.

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