Can the Mackerel Men go thirteen clear?

Pitching In Isthmian League leaders Worthing could go thirteen points clear this evening, as they travel to face relegation-threatened East Thurrock United knowing that none of the three sides pursuing them in the table are in league action.

The Mackerel Men are nine games unbeaten, whilst their hosts are deep in trouble, with only four points from their last thirty and a seven point gap between them and third bottom Brightlingsea Regent. The last time the two met, back in September, Worthing were given a real scare, twice falling behind before rallying to win three-two.

Worthing forward Ollie Pearce (pictured, Marcus Hoare) has gone four games without scoring. The last time he did that he scored in the next match. The opponents? East Thurrock United.

Hornchurch, in fifth, will climb a place with victory at Potters Bar Town, but will have to work hard to take three points as the Scholars are much improved under boss Sammy Moore. The Urchins haven’t lost a league match for almost four months, whilst their hosts have lost only one of their last seven and are on a five match unbeaten run of their own. The last six encounters between the two sides have seen victory alternate between the two, and given the Urchins defeated the Scholars the last time they met, it’s Bar’s turn for a victory.

Sixth place Lewes could climb back into the top five if they can take three points at Leatherhead. The Tanners have looked a much better side since Luke Tuffs took over, but despite that haven’t been able to get sufficient points on board to pull themselves out of trouble. With a nine point gap between them and relative safety, if the great escape is going to happen you’d have to think they need to be completing their tunnel around now! The Rooks have lost only two of their last nine, both of those defeats coming against promotion rivals. Given their side put five past the Tanners last time they met the travelling faithful will be confident as they head to Fetcham Grove.

Cheshunt travel to Merstham in a clash of the Ambers! The visiting Ambers are four games unbeaten, although they have drawn the last two, whilst the hosting Moatsiders got back to winning ways against Leatherhead on Saturday, ending a run of defeats. The last time they met, back in September, Merstham triumphed by the only goal of the game.

We have a mid-table clash, as Corinthian-Casuals welcome Bognor Regis Town. Two points and two places separate the two, and Casuals will go ahead of the Rocks with victory, but the hosts have gone seven games without winning so they’ll need to change their fortunes. Bognor has lost four of their last seven, including their last two, and are still searching for the consistency they’ve been lacking all season. It’s only five weeks since the two last met, the Rocks twice coming from behind to win three-two.

Finally, Bowers & Pitsea welcome Brightlingsea Regent for an Essex derby. Bowers will be confident after their win at Bognor on Saturday, and indeed have only lost two of their last seven and have given themselves a five point cushion over the bottom three. Regent, who are that third bottom club, have gone three games without a victory, a run which has seen their revival stall somewhat- and they don’t have a good recent record against these opponents, losing the last four times they’ve met.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.