Liverpool. Maldon & Tiptree. Which is better?

There are only two sides in the top eight tiers of English football who have yet to lose a league match. One is Liverpool, the other is Maldon & Tiptree.

But which is better?

No, we’re not really looking for you to answer that question, but the fact that we can mention both clubs in the same sentence is testament to the magnificent form of the Jammers this season. Fifteen league matches played, fourteen victories and- shame on them- one draw, and on Saturday they look to extend that run, and perhaps their lead at the top of the table, as Tilbury arrive at Park Drive. Can the Dockers end their hosts amazing form?

Actually, at this point the Jammers would struggle to find tougher opponents. The Dockers have charged up the table of late and currently sit in fifth place, with only one defeat in their last ten matches and a collection of particularly impressive performances against the likes of Heybridge Swifts, AFC Sudbury and Canvey island. Perhaps this will be the day when the Jammers become unstuck?

Second place Aveley have a tough trip to Coggeshall Town, but given that last weekend they travelled to Hornchurch, in fourth place in the Premier Division, and knocked them out of the FA Trophy, a visit to the Seed Growers perhaps won’t worry them too much. The Millers will be looking for revenge, as Coggeshall are one of only three sides to defeat them in the league this season (of course, Maldon are one of the others), and know that victory could send them top of the table if the Jammers were to slip up. The Seed Growers are unlikely to roll over, however, and are very difficult to beat. They’ve lost only one of their last ten matches, and are our draw specialists, with six draws during that period.

Heybridge Swifts, in third place, travel to Witham Town. Swifts have won three of their last four and are in good form, an aberration against Tilbury aside, whilst Witham got back to winning ways against Grays Athletic last time out. Swifts have won 50% of matches on their travels, whilst Town have won only two of their nine home matches- but that does, of course, include their last one, so they’ll be looking to dismiss any suggestion of a home hoodoo.

Fourth place Bury Town host Felixstowe and Walton United. Bury come into this match on the back of three successive defeats, their worst run of the campaign, so will be desperate to get their promotion bid back on track; whilst the Seasiders have a victory, a draw and a defeat from their last three, and drew tow-all with Soham Town Rangers last time out.

Great Wakering Rovers slipped out of the top five last weekend after suffering a narrow defeat at Maldon & Tiptree. That was Rovers first defeat in five matches, a record that hosts Grays Athletic would love, having not managed a victory during that same period. Grays are in their worst form of the season, with four consecutive defeats, and need to get back to winning ways having slid violently down the table to tenth place.

Dereham Town, in eighth, travel to Hullbridge Sports. The Magpies seem to be over their recent slump, having won their last two matches, defeating Canvey Island and Basildon United; whilst Sports have also won their last two matches, against Canvey and Soham Town Rangers. Both sides have been better away from home this season, so perhaps that stat favours the Magpies? We’ll find out at 5PM on Saturday.

Histon have seen their climb up the table halted in recent weeks after taking only two points from the last twelve. They host bottom side Romford, who will travel to the Glassworld Stadium for the second weekend in a row desperate to pick up points after winning only one of their five matches since Glenn Tamplin took over. Romford are eight points behind second bottom Felixstowe, but do have four matches in hand as they’ve had as many postponed of late as they’ve managed to play.

Basildon United, under new management and with a reshaped squad, entertain a Canvey Island side who are still looking for consistency. The Gulls followed two defeats, against Tilbury and Hullbridge, with two victories, over Bury and Soham- but then slipped up once more last time out, Dereham the victors. Basildon have only one defeat- also against the Magpies- from their last four, but with a collection of squad changes it is rather difficult to predict how they will line up. MATCH POSTPONED.

Brentwood Town have found form of late, taking seven points from their last nine. They host Cambridge City, who got back to winning ways last weekend after three consecutive defeats.MATCH POSTPONED.

Finally, Soham Town Rangers entertain AFC Sudbury. Rangers have found points thin on the ground of late, having picked up only five from their last thirty, whilst the visiting yellows have won four, lost four and drawn two of their last ten matches, and in their last two smashed five goals past Histon before losing two-nil to Tilbury.