And then there were three!

Leaders Bishop’s Stortford have a two point cushion at the top- and with already relegated Brightlingsea Regent the visitors to the R&D Advisors Stadium the Blues will be confident of another three points.

Stortford have lost only twice at home this season- only Lewes have fewer home defeats- whilst Regent haven’t managed a single victory on their travels. The Blues have won their last four, whilst Regent haven’t managed a win since Saturday January 28th. However, if we go back to Monday January 2nd, our bottom side sprung a surprise, defeating Stortford by two goals to nil with a brace from Suleyman Zudhu. Can they spring another surprise? Hornchurch, Canvey and Aveley will hope so!

The Urchins are on the road to Carshalton Athletic. The Robins have won only one of their last six and seen their play off hopes evaporate; whilst the Urchins got back to winning ways last time out after a four game winless run of their own. The two sides played out a one-one draw on January 2nd- a point for the Urchins this time around isn’t likely to do them much good.

Canvey Island are our form side, undefeated since February 11th and on an eleven match unbeaten run. The Gulls, two points off the top, face a tough task today as they host our match of the day, fourth place Aveley the visitors. The Millers, who won the Velocity Cup last week, lost their title momentum with narrow defeat against Stortford at the weekend, but even if that five point gap to the top proves too much for the Millers they will be desperate to grab a home play off berth. A Bradley Sach goal was the difference when the Gulls and Millers met in January.

Fifth place Enfield Town now have a host of clubs breathing down their necks in the battle for that final play off spot. The Towners welcome Haringey Borough knowing that anything other than victory could see them replaced in the top five by Cray Wanderers, although Borough have only defeated their North London rivals once in six attempts.

Cray Wanderers have closed to within a point of Enfield Town, but have a tough match as they travel to Herne Bay- the hosts three points from safety with three matches to go. Bay’s survival scrap has delivered some impressive results against the promotion chasers of late- draws with Hastings and Lewes, wins over Horsham and Carshalton- and they need another, although a draw might not do. Wands are six unbeaten and will also think that three points is a must.

Hastings United and Horsham could ruin each other’s play off chances today in a Sussex derby at Pilot Field. United have a five point gap to make up on fifth place with a game in hand; whilst the Hornets are only three points from the promised land and have won three of their last four. Both sides have only two defeats from ten, but both sides need three points today.

Bognor Regis Town walloped Bowers & Pitsea at the weekend, but have nothing to play for but Sussex pride as they welcome Lewes. The Rooks, however, have a critical need for three points- they’ve a three point gap between themselves and fifth place and are very difficult to defeat but have seen their promotion chase hamstrung by draws- fourteen of their thirty nine games have ended level. They defeated the Rocks three-one at New Year.

Margate and Folkestone Invicta have only Kent rivalry to play for at Hartsdown Park, whilst Billericay Town are also assured of a mid-table spot- but their visitors Bowers & Pitsea have no shortage of problems. Three points from safety, they will be desperate for an away win after seeing a recent revival halted at the hands of Bognor at the weekend.

Kingstonian face a derby match at already relegated Corinthian-Casuals, but the K’s will need a positive result to stave off the threat of joining Casuals in the bottom four. With only a three point advantage keeping them outside the relegation places, and a worse goal difference than the two sides three points behind them, this is a match the K’s can’t afford to lose.

Wingate & Finchley need a point to guarantee safety, but in truth their goal difference should do that even if they lose their last three matches. The Blues welcome Potters Bar Town, the Scholars already preparing for next season.

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