Can the Millers beat the Rams- and reignite our title chase?

By Ian Townsend

Leaders Ramsgate travel to third place Cray Valley, whilst Chatham, Whitehawk, Ashford and Becks all try to narrow the gap

Ramsgate have opened up a six point lead at the top of Pitching In Isthmian Premier and defeated closest rivals Chatham Town last time out- but the Rams have another tough match as third place Cray Valley PM lay out the welcome mat. The Millers are our form team, undefeated since October 15th, and had a very good record against the Rams- four unbeaten- until their start of the season meeting at Southwood, which the Rams won by three goals to nil.

The Chats will want to quickly put that Rams defeat behind them, but it was their third reverse in six matches so they’ve hit a bit of an inconsistent patch. They welcome East Grinstead Town, the Wasps having defeated them on opening day and having got back to winning ways by defeating Chichester City last time out.

Whitehawk are on the road to managerless Sittingbourne. The Brickies are in freefall, dropping into the bottom three after a run of ten matches without a win; whilst the Hawks haven’t been at their best either, losing four of their last six, but they did get back to winning ways last time out and could climb to third with victory.

Ashford United are in the top five only on goal difference and seem to have lost their way a little, with only two wins from their last ten. The Nuts and Bolts announced the return of hotshot George Nikaj on loan from Dover Athletic yesterday, and will hope he’s brought his shooting boots as they welcome Burgess Hill Town. The Hillians, firmly in mid table, are three matches unbeaten- although they have drawn two of them. They don’t have a good record against United, losing four of their last five meetings.

Beckenham Town welcome a Lancing side who look rejuvenated under Dean Cox, winning their last two and climbing out of the bottom four. Becks have only lost three of their last ten, but when they lose, tend to lose big- conceding four against Littlehampton Town and Sevenoaks Town. Perhaps Lancing should add Town to their name for this afternoon only! Becks strengthened in midweek, boosting their forward line with the arrival of Jeff Duah-Kessie- and a win could take them as high as third.

Sevenoaks Town are on the road to face a side with one of the best home records in the league, Three Bridges. Bridges are in fifteenth place, and yet their home form alone would put them in the top three, seven wins and only one defeat. Oaks are also better at home, but with three wins from their last four will no doubt be confident about closing the gap on the top five.

Sheppey United have quietly moved up to eighth place by winning three of their last five. The Ites are off to Sussex to face a Chichester City side who have lost their way; a run of only two wins from their last ten seeing them slip down to thirteenth place. The opening day fixture between the two ended one-one.

Haywards Heath Town welcome VCD Athletic to a very damp Mid Sussex. Heath will consider themselves very unlucky to have fallen to late defeat against Whitehawk last time out, but had won three of their four matches prior to that and will be confident that they can climb out of the bottom four. Vickers are having a bit of a hit and miss period, and when they lose, have a habit of losing big- their two defeats from their last four matches both saw them concede four goals. Vickers won their first meeting by two goals to one.

Littlehampton Town welcome bottom side Faversham Town to the Sussex seaside. The Golds have lost only three of their last ten, and when they do lose then tend to lose narrowly- their last two defeats have been one-nil, including Monday’s reverse at Lancing. They start the day in tenth place, a full eighteen points ahead of their visitors who haven’t yet delivered a honeymoon period for new boss Sammy Moore. The Lilywhites hit the road on the back of a run of eight matches- seven defeats- without a win.

Hythe Town v Corinthian is postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

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

Where next?

Advantage Urchins as rivals slip up Only one of the top five win- and it was the leaders- whilst we have victories for Billericay, Lewes, Haringey, Kingstonian, Herne Bay and Folkestone- and a six goal thriller at Hartsdown Park
Yellows host a yellow celebration in honour of Pele- will they still be celebrating at full time? Sudbury look to maintain or extend their lead, Hashtag search for a ninth straight victory, whilst Swifts, Stow, Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Grays tussle for top five spots

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe