Can the Woods get back to winning ways?

We’ve eight matches in Pitching In Isthmian South Central, and we start our preview with leaders Northwood, who travel to face Ashford Town. Woods lost their first match of the season at Walton & Hersham in midweek, but had won the previous six- and they’ll be out for revenge, too, as the Tangerines knocked them out of the FA Cup last month. Town have lost three in a row, heavily- Harlow Town, Marlow and Basingstoke Town hitting them hard- and will want to rediscover their form from August, a run of five unbeaten matches which vanished as soon as September arrived.

Third place Marlow are on the road to face Merstham. The Moatsiders have not had the start to the campaign they would have hoped for, bottom of the table and without a league victory to their name; whilst their visitors have been very good in the League, with only one defeat in six, but followed two three-nil league triumphs with a three-nil defeat to Binfield in the Velocity Trophy in midweek.

Basingstoke Town seem to have found their feet, and the fifth place side travel to take on a club who have managed only one league win from six, our title favourites Leatherhead not looking much like title favourites so far. The Tanners have at least turned around a run of three successive defeats by drawing their last two, but Luke Tuffs side desperately need a win to kick start their season. Town have scored eight goals without reply in their last two matches, so will pose a formidable test.

Chertsey Town are still searching for a new manager after Wayne Carter’s departure earlier this week, but they did pick up a win in midweek, knocking New Salamis out of the Velocity Trophy. Prior to that match the Curfews had gone five without a win, so they’ll hope that they’ve turned a corner whilst visitors Guernsey will hope to deliver some more misery. The Green Lions haven’t yet found consistency, but their absence from FA knockout competitions means they have played fewer matches than all of their rivals. They have taken four points from their last two, however, and if Ross Allen finds his shooting boots they could pose a threat. Last season the Curfews won both meetings between the sides, scoring five goals without reply.

Sutton Common Rovers take on Southall at Whytleafe. Rovers have hit a bit of a sticky spot, with four defeats in a row; whilst their visitors have won only one of their last six, and that one only on penalties. They did draw three of those, however, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Tooting & Mitcham United welcome South Park Reigate to Imperial Fields. The Terrors have played nine competitive matches this season and won only two, and are without a win from their last three; whilst the Sparks have lost two of their last three and are playing their first league match since August Bank Holiday Monday. Of last season’s six points, four went to Reigate.

Chipstead play host to Uxbridge. The Chips have won only one of their first six matches, and have looked good only in patches- their four-two FA Trophy win over Waltham Abbey looked a starting point, but they’ve followed that with two defeats. The travelling Red Army have seen their side lose only one of their last six, and that defeat came against National League South Eastbourne Borough in the Cup.

Thatcham Town welcome Bedfont Sports. Neither side has had a positive start to the campaign, the Kingfishers still searching for a first win, Sports with only one of their own- although it did come in their last league match, at Sutton Common Rovers. Thatcham have lost five of their last six in all competitions, and really need to start picking up some points. Sports took four points from the six on offer last season.

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