Can the chasing pack narrow the gap on Northwood?

We start our preview in the FA Trophy. Tavistock is a very long way away, and Binfield will work that out as they make the long journey to Devon. The hosts are in fourth place in Pitching In Southern South Division One, with only one defeat from their last nine- whilst the Moles have slipped a little of late by their previous high standards, with three wins and three defeats from their last six.

Uxbridge will perhaps wish that their match with Wingate & Finchley had taken place a couple of weeks ago, as the visiting Blues have really found form in their last two matches, scoring eight goals without reply. The hosts, however, have won four of their last five and won’t be short on confidence.

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Leaders Northwood know that they will be at the top of the table this evening no matter the score as they host Chipstead, but they’d certainly like to maintain or even increase their seven point margin at the top. Woods seem to be well over their mini blip, having won their last three league matches, whilst the Chips continue to search for consistency- which is why they start the day in thirteenth. Their last four matches have been W-L-W-L, so we’re sure they’d like that pattern to continue for one more weekend. The Woods took four points from their meetings last season.

Marlow, in second place, host what appears to be our match of the day as Basingstoke Town come to call. Marlow came from two goals down to deliver a last minute winner against Bedfont Sports last weekend, and they might need more of that resilience as an away win would see their visitors go above them in the table- there are only three points between second and seventh.

Third place South Park Reigate have won every home league match so far this season, and they are back at Whitehall Lane for a second time this week as seventh place Southall come to call. A home win could see the Sparks go second, but an away win could give Hall the chance of similar Saturday night joy.

Chertsey Town start the weekend in fourth place and the Curfews also have their eyes on second spot. They welcome Leatherhead, the Tanners feeling more positive after picking up a win last time out- but they’ll need to be at their best against a side who scored six goals last weekend.

Walton & Hersham suffered a midweek defeat at South Park, but the Swans, in fifth place, have three games in hand over the leaders and are nine points behind so there’s no cause for despair. They travel to face Ashford Town, the Tangerines properly peeled by the Curfews last weekend but still only two points away from the play off places.

Westfield have won their last two league matches and seem to be showing their start of season form once more. They welcome Thatcham Town to Woking Park, the Kingfishers still searching for some positivity after only one win all season. They took four points from Field last season, so perhaps can use that as motivation.

Merstham are still searching for that first win, and indeed have lost seven of their ten matches so far this season. The Moatsiders welcome Hanworth Villa, who seem to have hit a bit of a bump in the road and have lost their last two.

Tooting & Mitcham United welcome Bedfont Sports with both sides desperate for points. The two sides have almost identical records- one win, three draws and five defeats- with Sports ahead only because they’ve scored one more goal. Sports won both matches against the Terrors last season, and home fans will break out in a cold sweat when reminded of their five-four defeat in January, a match they led three-nil and four two before falling to defeat.

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