Will the Ambers stay top- or will one of the four chasing sides overhaul them?

By Ian Townsend

It’s our Saturday Premier preview


The Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division has an unfamiliar look, as sitting proudly atop the table are those Ambers from Cheshunt. Craig Edwards men are deservedly at the summit after delivering some superb performances, but coming up next may be their biggest test yet, as they travel to undefeated Bishop’s Stortford. The Blues will have to put thoughts of their FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round match with St Albans City behind them for a week as they look to stretch that unbeaten run to nine matches- and they could go second with three points.

Carshalton Athletic currently sit second, two points behind the leaders. The Robins travel to Hornchurch, for a match which sounds as if it should be between two top five sides- but the Urchins are currently in nineteenth, fighting against a rising tide of injuries.

Third place Worthing travel to a different seaside, as they visit Margate. Even the Mackerel Men’s home games have so far been away from Woodside Road due to pitch issues, and the fact that they have lost only once despite this is testament to the resolve of Adam Hinshelwood’s squad. Gate, in contrast, have only one win- but they also have only one defeat, as they’ve become our draw specialists, finishing level in fifty percent of their matches. After six without a win the Hartsdown Park faithful will be desperate to see their side put that right this weekend.

If Cheshunt v Stortford isn’t our match of the day, then a strong shout must go to Haringey Borough v Cray Wanderers. Borough have won four of their five league matches and inflicted a crushing cup defeat on Bracknell Town in midweek, whilst Wands turned around a run of two defeats with another cup victory, in Bristol, but will want to get back into the top five with a win at Coles Park. Borough could go top with victory if other results go their way.

Enfield Town, in fifth, are on the road to Tolworth, where they face Brazil’s favourite amateurs, Corinthian-Casuals. The Towners have won their last two but haven’t travelled well so far this season, whilst Casuals form has been mixed but they did win their last home outing, against Brightlingsea Regent. Enfield are also in with a chance of ending the evening at the top of the table, but they’d need results from all of the above fixtures to also go in their favour, as well as a comprehensive victory of their own.

One point separates Bowers & Pitsea and Kingstonian. The visiting K’s have won three and lost three of their six this season, and you would expect that if they could find consistency would be a big threat at the top of the table; whilst Rob Small’s men suffered late defeat against Worthing last time out but have been very strong prior to that match and could climb as high as second if they get back to winning ways. Match postponed.

Leatherhead and Folkstone Invicta meet at Fetcham Grove. Neither side have had the start they would have liked to the season, although the Tanners looked to be back on the right road with three matches unbeaten before their narrow defeat at Enfield last time out. Invicta would like to play Wingate and Finchley every week, as their two victories over the Summers Lane side are the only times they’ve really clicked so far this campaign.

Horsham welcome Brightlingsea Regent to the Camping World Community Stadium. Two wins in two last week for the Hornets were followed by Monday night’s defeat at Carshalton Athletic, whilst Regent have only taken one point from their last twelve- but did win the last time they came to Sussex, in Lewes on September 26th.

At Nyewood Lane life’s a riot with Rocks versus Rocks, as East Thurrock United arrive to face Bognor Regis Town. This will be only the second home fixture of the campaign for the Sussex Rocks, and they won the first- whilst the Essex Rocks are still looking for their first victory of any kind and have taken only one point on the road.

Potters Bar Town host Lewes, the Rooks buoyant after finally winning a home match last weekend whilst Bar will look to recreate the form they showed in defeating Cray Wanderers the last time they played at the LA Construction Stadium.

Finally, Merstham host Wingate and Finchley. The Moatsiders look a far stronger side than they were last season, but need to make their home fixtures count if they are to stay out of the danger zone; whilst the travelling Blues also look a different proposition this time out, as Lewes and Hornchurch found prior to their narrow defeat against Horsham last time out.

Where next?

Grosvenor is a Wolf! FC Romania snap up Bees defender
Trophy Time is here again This weekend our attention turns back to the FA Trophy, as many of our clubs compete in the Second Qualifying Round. Here’s our preview.

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