Five play off candidates- and one relegation fighter- in action on South Central Tuesday

Fourth place Northwood are on the road, and it could be a difficult trip as they take on fifth place Binfield. The Woods have a seven point cushion over their hosts and will want that to remain at least the same length; whilst the Moles know that defeat could see them cast out of the top five in favour of Hanworth Villa. With only one defeat from five, the hosts are looking to be almost back to their best, but the two sides played out a goalless draw less than a month ago. Since that draw their visitors have won only one of three, but it was the last one.

Hanworth Villa picked up our Performance of the Month award yesterday, and they may have to deliver another excellent performance if they are to defeat Southall in a local derby. The Villains will climb back into the top five with victory if Binfield fail to defeat Northwood, and having won four of their last five will feel they are in the form to do just that. The visitors certainly won’t be pushovers, however; only the top three have lost fewer games this season. Six points away from fifth place, they won’t have given up on promotion yet, and will undoubtedly provide a tough test for their hosts.

Leatherhead are another side who haven’t yet given up on the play offs, although they have a six point gap to bridge. The Tanners welcome Merstham to Fetcham Grove, the Moatsiders with an even more desperate need for points. Three points from safety, an away win would see them climb out of the bottom four on goal difference, and given that’s something they haven’t managed all season it would be a massive step. The Tanners have won four of their last five, whilst their visitors have seen a good run come to an end with two consecutive defeats. Leatherhead won their first meeting of the season, in October, by two goals to one.

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