It’s the big one!

Farnham Town have had a magnificent start to their Isthmian life. Six points clear at the top of the Pitching In Isthmian South Central table, having experienced defeat only twice, and having scored seventy seven goals, they travel to second place Kingstonian looking to increase that lead to nine points- whilst for their hosts, this very much looks like a must-win.

The K’s have adapted brilliantly to life after relegation, with no sign of any doldrums; but they will be aware that a nine point deficit, whilst not unassailable, will be rather difficult to retrieve. They have the squad to trouble the leaders, but their home form has been something of an achilles heel of late, with only one win from their last four at Raynes Park; whilst Town are actually better on the road than on their own patch, and indeed have the best away record in the entire League, thirteen wins from fourteen on their travels. 

This isn’t a title-decider, because, even if some people on social media are trying to paint that picture, it is only February and both sides will have fifteen more matches to play whatever the result. But the confidence and momentum that victory will bring to either side- and the nerves that might accompany defeat- makes it appear crucial nonetheless. Kick off is at 7.45PM, and we suggest you get there early to avoid queues.

The other South Central match this evening also looks rather important, as Guernsey, planning for life away from Footes Lane in their new stadium, have a lot of work to do to ensure that they are still with us next season. The Green Lions are four points from safety, albeit with a number of games in hand over the sides they are pursuing, but with three heavy defeats from their last four and having lost five-one at home on Sunday they really need a positive reaction. Horndean are the side leaving on a jet plane, and they have only one win from their previous five, although two of those ended level. Guernsey took three points when the sides met at the end of September, a three-two victory at Five Heads Park, so the Deans will be rather focused on exacting some revenge. 

Into Pitching In Isthmian North, and Sporting Bengal United’s plight is looking rather desperate. The East Londoners are second from bottom, seven points from safety, have one win in ten and have lost five in a row, so victory against Tilbury tonight looks to be rather critical. The travelling Dockers aren’t in the best form either, four without a win and having lost three of them, and they also need the points as they have slipped nine points away from the top five spot that looked to be theirs for the taking only a few months ago. 

Newmarket Town haven’t quite cast off their relegation worries but they have been in superb form, a run of one defeat- and five wins- from their last seven seeing them not only climb out of the drop zone but open up a five point gap. The Jockeys are off to the seaside, travelling to face Gorleston, the Greens five places and seven points better off. Gorleston are eight games unbeaten- including five draws- and have made themselves rather difficult to defeat.