Can the Abbotts bring Terror to the Terrors

Our leaders, Tooting and Mitcham United, host perhaps our Pitching In Isthmian South Central match of the day tomorrow as they take on fourth place Waltham Abbey. The Abbotts are three points behind the Terrors having played only twice, and indeed still have a one hundred percent league record- indeed their only defeat of any sort came at Bury Town in the FA Cup, in a match where they played for sixty four minutes with ten men. After a slightly sticky start, United have won four consecutive matches in all competitions, and have conceded only one goal during that period, so will go into this game confident that they can stretch their two point lead at the top.

Bracknell Town, in second place, have been in superb form. Six matches in all competitions see them still to experience defeat, whilst visitors Chalfont St Peter finally got a win on the board in midweek, when they defeated Barking.

Westfield, in third, were coasting to victory against Hanwell Town on Tuesday night until Ogo Obi stepped up and scored twice in the last minute. Prior to that they’d won both of their games and scored seven goals in the process, but they may face a far more parcimonious defence as they travel to Marlow. Last season at Oak Tree Road very little got past the Marlow rearguard, but they’ve been a little less watertight so far this campaign and will hope to atone for their first League defeat of the season, against Waltham Abbey in midweek.

Hanwell Town have a one hundred percent record in the League at present, but have only played twice! Our fifth place side have also been rather impressive in the cups, and came close to shocking Southern Premier South side Hartley Wintney in the FA Cup last weekend. They welcome Staines Town to the Powerday, the Swans having got back to winning ways in midweek with victory over Hertford Town, after three consecutive defeats.

Sixth place Ware host Uxbridge, the visitors having lost only one of their three matches but having failed to win the other two. The hosting Blues have bounced back well from opening day defeat at Staines to win both of their most recent matches, whilst Uxbridge have drawn with Bracknell Town and Ashford Town in their last two fixtures.

The Tangerines follow that shutout with a home match against South Park. Town’s only league defeat so far came against our leaders, Tooting and Mitcham United, whilst the Sparks defeated Northwood in a five goal thriller in midweek and frightened Premier Division Bognor Regis Town in the last round of the cup, so shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Northwood host Chertsey Town. The Curfews have lost their last two matches, but those defeats were against Premier Division Haringey Borough and high-flying Bracknell Town, and prior to that they were undefeated in three; whilst the Woods were on a decent run prior to their midweek defeat, knocking Basildon United out of the cup and defeating FC Romania.

Harlow Town, in tenth place, travel to Hertford Town. The hosts have only played three matches in all competitions this season, losing two, but the one they won was against Tooting so they are clearly capable of competing with the top sides. The Hawks started the season by winning three consecutive matches, but have lost the last three, the latest defeat coming on Tuesday night when Chipstead left the Harlow Arena with three points.

The Chips will look to build on that victory as they welcome Bedfont Sports. Sports have been magnificent in the Cup, knocking our Premier Division Lewes and, last weekend, Carshalton Athletic, but have lost their two league matches so far. That said, those matches were against title favourites Ware and high-flying Hanwell Town. The Chips have now won their last two in all competitions, and will look forward not only to the chance of three more points but to the visit of National League South Tonbridge Angels in the cup on Tuesday night.

Finally, Barking, in eighteenth place, take on bottom side FC Romania. The Blues have spent most of their season so far in cup competition, and have been very good at that indeed, winning four matches so far in Cup and Trophy. They don’t yet have a league victory from their two matches, and will want to put that right against a Wolves side who have lost all four of their matches- one in the cup, three in the League- so far. The manner of those defeats, however, suggests that the defence is much better than last season, as they’ve conceded only five goals in total- but they haven’t managed to score one yet.