Can the Urchins bounce back- or will the Blues hit the summit?

Our leaders, Hornchurch, suffered a kick up the Urchins as they were hammered by second place Bishop’s Stortford on Boxing Day, and will look to regain their usual equilibrium as they welcome Carshalton Athletic. This is a match between first and seventh, but so tight is it at the top end of the Pitching In Isthmian Premier that only six points separate the clubs- and the Robins are in fine form, with only one defeat from their last ten matches. History is against the visitors, however- they’ve only defeated the Urchins once from their last thirteen attempts, that win coming three years ago this month.

Stortford, only a point behind after last Monday’s triumph, are on the road to the seaside as they take on Brightlingsea Regent. The Blues have only one defeat from their last ten matches- indeed, only three defeats all season, the fewest in the Division- whilst their hosts are in freefall, with only two wins all campaign and none at all since August Bank Holiday Monday. Last season Stortford did the double over these opponents, and scored nine goals in the process- another win could take them top if Hornchurch slip up.

Cray Wanderers have been in fine form of late, and although they have played more matches than the sides around them have climbed up to third place. Wands welcome second bottom side Herne Bay to Hayes Lane, and are on a seven match unbeaten run- and have won their last three; whilst Bay have taken only three points, all draws, from their last thirty available.

Aveley welcome Canvey Island to Parkside. The fourth place Millers have a three point and four place advantage over their visitors, but ended a five match winless run with victory at Corinthian-Casuals on Tuesday. The Gulls have fallen off the pace a little, losing their last two- but know that three points could see them soar back into the top five.

Potters Bar Town have had a difficult end to 2022, having to contend with a change of manager and the departure of some of their established stars. The Scholars, in fifth place, welcome Wingate and Finchley to the Lantern Stadium and will hope to put a four match winless run behind them. The Blues have also gone four matches without a win, but added three new players to their squad this week and have drawn three of those four matches. Last season the Scholars took four points from their fixtures against the Blues.

Enfield Town, two points outside the top five, will hope to climb back into the play off places with victory at Haringey Borough. The Towners have lost only one of their last eight matches and looked good when defeating Potters Bar Town on Boxing Day; whilst Borough have gone three without a win, and indeed have only one win from their last six. Borough have won only one of their last five meetings with the Towners, although last season’s encounters were close, with only one goal from one hundred and eighty minutes of football. Lewis Taafe scored it, in the very last minute of their last encounter at Donkey Lane.

Horsham and Hastings United meet in a Sussex derby- and get there early if you want a free programme, they have a thousand to give away! Two points separate the two- in favour of the side from the seaside- but both are in decent form, the Hornets with only one defeat in five, United six games unbeaten. A bumper crowd is expected- and both sides will be desperate for three points to boost their promotion aspirations.

You never know quite what you’re going to get from Billericay Town. The Blues have put a five game winless run behind them by winning their last two, and will hope to narrow the five point gap between themselves and fifth place by defeating fourth bottom Bowers & Pitsea at the Len Salmon. Bowers, in turn, will be boosted by their win at Canvey on Boxing Day and will hope that it was the starting point of a significant revival.

Lewes welcome Bognor Regis Town to the Dripping Pan. The Rooks have only two defeats from their last ten matches, but have drawn five of them, which is why they are firmly in mid table. It’s only six weeks since the Rocks last faced the Rooks in East Sussex, the visitors winning that one on penalties in the FA Trophy after a two-two draw, and Bognor have a very good recent record against their hosts, Lewes winning only one of their last eight meetings. Bognor are struggling a little at the moment, however, five matches without a win.

Folkestone Invicta welcome managerless Margate to the Build Kent Stadium. Invicta, with four wins from their last six, are finally beginning to find their feet- whilst the Blues are on a four match winless run and parted company with boss Andy Drury on Boxing Day. Reece Prestedge and Ben Greenhalgh are in temporary charge. Margate won both of the encounters between the sides last season.

Finally, we’ve a Kingston derby as Kingstonian welcome Corinthian-Casuals to Tooting & Mitcham United. Both sides are in need of points; four points separate the sides at kick off with Casuals third from bottom, but the K’s have taken only one point from the last eighteen available- and indeed only seven from their last thirty- and need to begin adding digits to the W column if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Casuals have only one win from their last twelve matches with the K’s.

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