Can the Yellows extend their lead?

AFC Sudbury (pictured- Clive Pearson) know they will be at the top of the table no matter their result against Great Wakering Rovers, but they will hope that, with their closest rivals facing tricky fixtures, they can become the latest side to heap misery on their visitors. The Yellows have only that defeat against another one of the chasing pack, Heybridge Swifts, blotting their copybook- whilst Rovers have taken only two points from their last eighteen. Sudbury took four points from their fixtures last season.

Lowestoft Town have gone from looking invincible to losing three of their last four. Two of those defeats were on the road, and they travel again this weekend, visiting East Thurrock United. The Rocks are down in tenth, six points away from the top five, but are in good form with only one defeat from their last nine- winning six of them.

Hashtag United have closed to within four points of the summit after winning five of their last six, the only defeat coming against the current leaders. The Tags have a local derby, Basildon United travelling the three miles or so to the Len Salmon- and the Bees will be in good heart after taking seven points from their last nine. Last season the Tags took local bragging rights after both matches.

Perhaps our match of the day comes from fortress Scraley Road, as Heybridge Swifts, in fourth, welcome fifth place Felixstowe & Walton United. Swifts have won every single league match at home this season- and only one team match that record. Yes, you’ve guessed it, Felixstowe and Walton United! The Seasiders haven’t been quite so good on the road, however, losing three of their seven matches, and the hosts, who have defeated both Hereford and Brentwood Town during the last seven days, have to be favourites.

Stowmarket Town, in sixth, fell to a heavy defeat in the FA Trophy last weekend but in the league they’ve been pretty much unstoppable, undefeated since August 16th and with four clean sheets from their last five. They are only two points shy of fifth place, with two matches in hand over most of the sides ahead of them, and they will hope to get back to winning ways- but they’ve got a battle on their hands as they travel to the side just behind them, Bury Town. The hosts have only lost one home match all season- and only one away match, too- and they’ve won their last three. Stow took four points from six against Bury last season.

New Salamis have been a surprise package this season, with four wins from their last five including a victory over our then-leaders Lowestoft Town. They travelled to take on a seemingly much-improved Maldon & Tiptree last weekend and hammered home five goals, and face another of our struggling sides this weekend, as they welcome Coggeshall Town. The Seed Growers are still without a league win, and twenty points behind their hosts prop up the rest.

Grays Athletic have fallen off the pace of late, slipping to ninth place, six points away from the side in fifth. Three games without a win have done the damage, but their two defeats were against sides in the top three- and they’ll be hopeful that they can pick up some points as they travel to Hullbridge Sports. Hullbridge have lost the last four in the league, and indeed are without a league win since September 24th. Athletic took six points from six against these opponents last season, both wins by a single goal.

Brentwood Town have lost their last two and it’s so tight at the top that they’ve slipped all the way down to eleventh. The Blues are off to Norfolk this weekend, visiting beautiful Wroxham, ready to spend their money in Roy’s, buy some fabulous fish and chips and then hope to pick up three points. The Yachtsmen are fourth from bottom and have gone five without a win, but they have had some very good moments and you have to expect they’ll get back to winning ways soon.

Witham Town welcome Maldon & Tiptree. Town have lost their last three, and indeed have taken only four points from their last twenty seven. The Jammers looked to be improving until they shipped five goals at home to New Salamis last weekend, and are nine points and six places behind their opponents.

Finally Gorleston, second bottom, welcome Tilbury to Lowestoft. The hosts have a win, a draw and a defeat from their last three, and start the day four points between their fifteenth placed visitors. The Dockers have gone a month without a win- or even a draw, losing their last six matches in League, Velocity Cup and Essex Cup.

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