Can Sports be the first to trip up the Trawler Boys?

Leaders Lowestoft Town have a perfect twenty four points from eight matches, and a seven point lead, which must delight even the most pessimistic Trawler Boys fan. A trip to Hullbridge Sports awaits this weekend, and it could be easy or rather difficult depending on which Sports turns up! The hosts saw a three match unbeaten run come to an end in midweek, as they lost to the odd goal in five against Wroxham.

Undoubtedly our match of the day, second place Felixstowe & Walton United travel to face third place Grays Athletic. The Seasiders have taken their form from the end of last season- form which saw them reach the Play Off’s- into this season, still undefeated in the League; whilst Athletic have only one league defeat and have won their last three matches. Athletic took six points from their meetings last season, so the Seasiders will be looking for revenge.

Bury Town, in fourth place and looking higher, are on the road to Tilbury. The Ram meadow side have won three of their last four, whilst the Dockers have four consecutive league defeats under their belts, and will be desperate for a change in fortunes.

Sixth v fifth clash as Hashtag United welcome Heybridge Swifts. The visitors have been superb so far this season, unbeaten in the league and still in the Trophy, having defeated Pitching In Isthmian Premier promotion chasers Potters Bar Town last weekend. The Tags will be no pushovers, last losing in the league on opening day and having won their last three.

Brentwood Town take their recent fine form on the road, heading to Great Wakering Rovers. Three consecutive wins have propelled Town up the table, whilst wins over Maldon and Coggeshall have seen Rovers climb to a comfortable mid table spot. The Blues did the double over Rovers last season.

Witham Town host a derby match with Coggeshall Town. The hosts have gone off the boil a little after a fine start, with three defeats from their last three matches in all competitions, whilst the Seed growers haven’t yet found the boil switch and are still without a league win.

Maldon & Tiptree, still without a point, will hope to put that right at Stowmarket Town come to call. Stow have gone seven matches without defeat and will be confident that they can add to the Jammers woes. Maldon took four points from their two meetings last season.

AFC Sudbury start the day in eleventh, but will suspect that is a false position as their cup exploits mean that they already have as many as FIVE games in hand over the sides above them. Still unbeaten in the league, they’ll want to get the better of New Salamis and begin climbing the table, but their visitors will be no pushovers and are having a decent first season at Step Four- although have taken only one point from their last three matches.

Gorleston have a new manager but they don’t yet have any points- although they pushed Heybridge Swifts hard last time out and will hope they’ve turned a corner. They welcome another side with a new manager- indeed two new managers- Basildon United, the Bees having lost their last two.

Finally, Wroxham finally took their Trophy form into the League in midweek, getting a first bread-and-butter victory in defeating Hullbridge Sports. The Yachtsmen welcome East Thurrock United knowing that a win will take them above their visitors, but the Rocks are four matches unbeaten in the league and may prove tough opponents.

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