It’s ‘Game in Hand Tuesday!’

Our top match in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier tonight comes from Cheshunt, where the Ambers, in sixth place, host fourth place Hornchurch. The Ambers have closed to within two points of the top five on the back of a collection of superb results, and have lost only one of their last ten- against champions-elect Worthing. Their visitors, seven points better off an in fourth place, also have but one defeat in ten, theirs coming against play off rivals Enfield Town. The match is perhaps more important to Cheshunt than their visitors, but all will not be lost if they are not victorious, as they have yet another game in hand over the sides above them even after this one is completed.

Image from the lens of Mandy Davies.

At the other end of the table, Merstham are out of the bottom three only on goal difference, and Frank Wilson’s side will be desperate to put some actual daylight between themselves and the four sides below them- even bottom side Leatherhead are only two points adrift of the Moatsiders. Merstham have but one win and nine defeats from their last ten, and have lost their last six in a row so may be struggling for confidence, whilst their visitors Corinthian Casuals were on a similarly poor run until taking four points from their last six, results which- barring a mathematical miracle- will see them safe.

Potters Bar Town have been one of our form sides since the arrival of Sammy Moore, and are already safe from danger. The Scholars welcome a Horsham side who have opened up a nine point gap over the bottom three, so will be hopeful that they’ve done enough- but given they’ve lost four of their last five they will want an improved performance just to make sure. The Scholars recent pattern has seen them follow every win with a defeat, and they won on Saturday- perhaps that’s a good omen for the Hornets?

Into the Pitching In Isthmian North, and our matches have implications at both ends. The top clash is between Stowmarket Town and Maldon & Tiptree. Stow have slipped to eight points off the top, but they do have two matches in hand over leaders Aveley and second place Canvey Island, the gap between them and the Gulls only three points. Whether they are looking above them or below them is difficult to tell, however, as fourth place Brentwood Town and fifth place Grays Athletic are only two and three points behind respectively, so even if they believe the title is out of reach they need points to guarantee a play off spot, and a home play off spot.

The Jammers have been in scintillating form, and will go level with Grays Athletic and move up to sixth if they could win tonight- only a quite enormous victory will take them into the top five. Maldon walloped Canvey on the Island at the weekend, and have won their last four matches, whilst their hosts are without a win in three.

Great Wakering Rovers are looking nervously at the other end of the table, only three points above danger. They welcome Heybridge Swifts tonight, their visitors safe from trouble and with only one win from their last six- although they did come from two to take a point against Tilbury on Saturday.

We’ve one match in the Pitching In Isthmian South East, and it’s crucial for Whitstable Town. The Oysters are seven points from safety, but gave themselves hope by hammering Whitehawk on Saturday. New boss Andy Drury will have them fired up for the arrival of Chichester City, who are safely in mid table with nothing to play for but pride. They aren’t short on pride, however, and will want to show they have some after losing three-nil to Corinthian on Saturday.

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