Midweek Soccer Special

We have an interesting selection of football for you tonight and tomorrow- and a collection of matches going on elsewhere you might want to keep an eye on.

We’ll start in the Premier Division. Worthing got back to winning ways on Saturday at Wingate and Finchley, coming from behind to win 3-2, and travel to face Bowers & Pitsea tonight knowing that another win will put them back into the top five. Bowers got back to winning ways last Tuesday night when they defeated Bishop’s Stortford, but then lost the second of a run of four consecutive home league matches when Margate beat them by the only goal of the game at the weekend.

Stortford are four points but only one place better off than Bowers, and tonight Jamie Cureton’s side travel to Margate, who- as mentioned above- won at the weekend; a much needed victory after they were hammered at Hartsdown Park by Bognor Regis Town last Tuesday night. A win for the visitors tonight could take them up to thirteenth, but that will depend also on what happens at the Pakex, where Potters Bar Town entertain Merstham.

The Scholars have gone off the boil a little lately, with only one point from their last nine, but their visitors haven’t only gone off the boil they seem to have lost their plug and developed a leak, as they head north after seven consecutive defeats. The Moatsiders were a little unlucky at the weekend, however, grabbing a late equaliser at Bognor Regis Town, having a goal chalked off for offside and then conceding what they believe to be a controversial last-gasp goal to fall to another defeat.

We have a Wednesday night fixture too, as Kingstonian host Enfield Town. The K’s have won their last five matches in all competitions, and indeed have lost only one of their last twelve; whilst the Towners fell to defeat at home to Folkestone Invicta at the weekend but have otherwise been undefeated in the league for three months. It looks too close to call.

In the North Division Heybridge Swifts host AFC Sudbury. A victory for Swifts will take them top of the table, and they are in good form, having won their last two league matches. They also defeated their opponents in the Velocity Trophy a couple of months ago, although whether that will create any psychological advantage remains to be seen. The Yellows have been impressive of late, particularly when defeating higher level opposition in the FA Trophy- Harrow Borough and Worthing being on the receiving end of fantastic performances.

Soham Town Rangers, with only one point from their last nine, and Tilbury, who lost against Basildon United on Saturday, will both be looking to get back to winning ways at Julius Martin Lane. Only six sides have scored more goals than Rangers this season, and four of them are in the top five, so it doesn’t take long to work out where their frailties lie, whilst the Dockers have the fifth best defence and now have David Knight to boost their firepower.

Three of the top six in the South Central Division are in action tonight. Leaders Hanwell Town, who are also the only unbeaten side, put their perfect home record on the line as Chipstead travel around the M25. The Chips have won only one of their five away matches this season, but that was the last one, at Northwood, which they won by three goals to nil.

Uxbridge, in fourth place, travel to face a Northwood side who put five consecutive defeats behind them on Saturday to defeat Ashford Town. The Red Army came back from the dead to draw with Bedfont Sports, and have lost only two of their last ten league matches.

Tooting and Mitcham United, who fell to their first defeat of the season against Hanwell Town at the weekend, have the chance to bounce straight back as they host Staines Town. The Swans have had a torrid season, but put that behind them on Saturday as they thrashed Chalfont St Peter by six goals to one- their first win of the season.

Westfield host Waltham Abbey aware that a victory will put them back into the top five. Field have faltered a little of late, losing two matches, and seemed to have clinched three points when they faced Chertsey Town on Saturday only to end the match with one after a last minute Curfews equaliser. The Abbotts are still searching for consistency, having won four and lost five of their last ten matches- but they did win 5-1 at the weekend, so will hope to carry that form forward.

In the South East Division Three Bridges host Whitehawk in a Sussex derby. Bridges have gone six matches without a victory, whilst after a three game losing streak the Hawks have bounced back to win their last two. Victory will see the visitors break back into the top five.

The FA Trophy tonight sees Bedfont Sports entertain Paulton Rovers. The visitors are third in the BetVictor Southern South Division, but lost two-nil at Frome Town on Saturday, and the winners will travel to Sholing in the next round.

In the Velocity Trophy, we have matches in a number of groups.

In Group 7 Ashford United entertain Faversham Town, and Ramsgate host Herne Bay, whilst in Group 6 Basildon United take on Canvey Island.

Group 2’s match between Brentwood Town and Grays Athletic has just been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Group Four has Haywards Heath Town entertaining Chichester City, whilst in Group One Maldon and Tiptree play Bury Town- our top two from the North Division facing off. Finally, in Group 10, Whyteleafe take on Chertsey Town.

FA Cup Replays tomorrow night will confirm who will travel to face Maldon & Tiptree in the Second Round, whilst Chichester City will be waiting to see whether they are off to Buckinghamshire or Merseyside; whilst in the FA Trophy Aveley are waiting to find out whether they are going to Biggleswade Town or Met Police, and they will know tonight.