It’s a critical night in the North

Felixstowe and Walton United have fallen out of the top five, but with two games in hand and just three points to make up they could be back in the play off places tonight, if they can win at Basildon United.

The Bees are in their best form of the season, with only one defeat in seven, and did the Seasiders a big favour on Saturday by grabbing a late point from another promotion challenger, Grays Athletic. The hosts won’t be looking to do any favours for the Seasiders tonight, particularly as another win will almost guarantee their safety. Felixstowe’s form has been less than exemplary of late, with only one win from their last five matches, and- perhaps just as worryingly- only one goal scored in their last four. They’ll hope to put that right, and perhaps repeat their two-nil win over the Bees from August.

Fourth place Stowmarket Town picked up all three of our monthly awards yesterday- but it seemed that the curse set in early as two former Stow players scored against them in defeat at Sudbury on Saturday. Prior to that they had won four in a row, and they’ll want to get back to winning ways against Coggeshall Town tonight and make their fourth place a little more secure. The Seed Growers find themselves second from bottom, twelve points from safety with six matches left to play, and four points short of the second chance saloon of a relegation play off spot. They’ve gone eight without a win, despite every one of those matches being a close run thing. When the two sides met on bonfire night there were many fireworks, but they were all fired by Stow, who scored five without reply.

Witham Town have a seven point cushion between themselves and the drop zone, but after narrow defeat at New Salamis on Sunday will be desperate to increase that to double figures as Brentwood Town come to call. The visiting Blues have nothing to play for but pride, but have given themselves much to be proud of lately, and travel with a record which has seen them lose only one of their last ten. The hosts have only one win from seven, but should be very focused on the task in hand.

Bottom side Hullbridge Sports welcome Bury Town. Sports are twelve points from safety with six matches left to play, and if that is a tall order they are only four points from the possible salvation of a relegation play off place. That said, they’ve won only one of their last ten, so will need to improve quickly to grasp any kind of lifeline. What might go in their favour is that Town’s recent form is little better, and that they’ve nothing to play for apart from pride.

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