Stoke and the Woods vie for top spot

After almost an entire season writing ‘our leaders, Northwood’ it seems rather strange to see the name at the top change, but Basingstoke Town have got there on merit- a point clear after a run of nine wins from their last ten matches. Stoke will look to hold onto their lofty perch as they welcome Merstham to Winklebury. The last time they met, back in November, we watched as Stoke came from behind to defeat the Moatsiders five-one, and on the basis of their second half performance it could have been more- but the visitors will hope to put up a much stronger fight this time. Merstham remain second bottom, but with only two defeats from ten are only four points from safety and will be hopeful of continuing their good form, and perhaps delivering a little revenge. They’ll need to be at their best, however- Town have scored thirty four goals in their last ten matches.

The Woods will travel around the M25 to Leatherhead as they attempt to climb back to the summit. They’ve not played since January 7th, when they won at Tooting, and with five wins and four defeats from their last nine have hit an inconsistent run of form. They defeated the Tanners three-one in November, but with only one defeat from their last six Leatherhead will be no pushovers and finally seem to be finding their South Central feet.

Walton & Hersham have had so many postponements of late that we’ve been thinking about renaming them Walton and Hersham P-P (although given all of the games called off have been away from home, perhaps P-P Walton & Hersham would be more appropriate). The third place Swans get back to league action for the first time since victory over Marlow on January 7th, and will hope to narrow the four point gap between themselves and Stoke as Sutton Common Rovers come to call. Rovers are having a torrid time, having lost their last eleven league matches- but they might take some comfort from the fact that their last league victory came against…Walton & Hersham! Can lightning strike twice? Head to the Sports Hub to find out.

Chertsey Town have climbed to fourth place, ahead of Marlow on goal difference. The Curfews are on the road to Uxbridge, who are twelve points behind their visitors after a run which has seen them win only two of their last ten. Their most recent win was last time out, however, as they defeated Southall a fortnight ago. The Curfews have lost only two of their last ten and have won four of their last five, and defeated their hosts one-nil in mid November. That makes it one win each this season, as Uxbridge knocked Town out of the FA Trophy in September.

Marlow are also on the road- and the plane- as they head to the Channel Island to take on Guernsey. The Green Lions have finally learned how to win at home, and courtesy of two one-nil wins have managed it twice in quick succession. They had Ross Allen back and scoring in their latest victory, against South Park Reigate on Wednesday night. With only one win from their last five, Marlow have slipped up of late- but they have announced new signings this week and will be delighted to be back in action after a fortnight off.

South Park Reigate travel to Hanworth Villa. The sixth place Sparks haven’t really been on fire of late, indeed they have won only one of their last six. We could say that the Villains have only two defeats from ten, but by the same token we could say that they had only one win from their last five, depending on how full you’d like to have your glass! The Villains won the return fixture at Whitehall Lane back in November, by two goals to one.

Binfield are only four points behind fifth place Marlow, and the Moles have three games in hand over each member of the top five- win those and they’d be a point behind Basingstoke! They are on the road to Bedfont Sports, their hosts two points clear of the bottom four and having lost their last two after an earlier six match unbeaten run. Two late goals earned the Moles a three-one win the first time they met this season.

We’ve eighth v ninth as Southall welcome Westfield. Hall are in reasonable form, with three defeats from their last ten- although they do include two of their last four. Field have fallen off the pace somewhat, with only one win from their last nine. The two sides have already met twice this season, a Velocity Cup win for Southall and a goalless draw the outcomes.

Chipstead will look to build on their superb nine match unbeaten run as they get back to action for the first time since January 7th. The Chips welcome Ashford Town to the High Road, the Tangerines with only one win from their last nine very close to being dragged into the relegation fight- they are only three points above the bottom four. The Chips won their November meeting with the Tangerines by four goals to one.

Thatcham Town have been in fine form, a run of only two defeats from ten matches giving them a nine point cushion over the bottom four- perhaps they can start looking at the top five, twelve points ahead? The Kingfishers welcome a side who are at the bottom of the table and in terrible trouble, Tooting & Mitcham United. The Terrors have had a terrifying season, with only three wins during the whole campaign and only five points from the last thirty available to them- but they did look good during the first half of their midweek defeat against Chertsey Town. When the two sides met just before Christmas, two goals from Cameron Rohaet-Brown gave victory to Thatcham.

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