The top two are otherwise engaged- can the rest of the North Division take advantage?

By Ian Townsend

We've a slightly reduced fixture list, but some real crackers on offer. Here's our preview.


With no match for Tilbury and Maldon & Tiptree in cup action, there’s a chance for a number of other sides to make inroads at the top end of the table. Great Wakering Rovers are currently third, and only need a point to go above the Jammers into second place- but their opponents, Histon, are in fourth and would also go second with a win. With the exception of one shocking result against Basildon United, Rovers have had an excellent start to the season and drew three-all with the league-leading Dockers last time out; whilst their visitors have picked up all of their points so far on the road so will be a threat at Burroughs Park.

Soham Town Rangers will spend next week feeding- for free- the children of the community, but won’t want to give away anything that Grays Athletic could feast on. The two sides are tied on seven points with both having only one league defeat.

The other of the four clubs on seven points, Dereham Town, host Coggeshall Town- and the Seed Growers will be looking to kick start their campaign after picking up only one win from their four matches so far. The Magpies, in sixth place, are perhaps in an artificial position given they’ve played two games more than the sides around them, but they’ve lost only one of their last five matches in all competitions and head into this one on the back of an impressive FA Trophy win at Sutton Coldfield Town last weekend.

Hullbridge Sports, in eighth, travel to Felixstowe and Walton United, who start the day in fourteenth but are only one point behind their hosts. Sports have lost their last two, a thrashing against Heybridge Swifts followed by a much improved performance in defeat against the leaders; whilst the Seasiders have lost only one match in all competitions since the league campaign started on September 19th, and that defeat came against high-flying Maldon and Tiptree. This one could be close!

Aveley are in an unaccustomed mid table spot, after an unexpected blip in recent weeks saw them lose three of their last four completed matches in all competitions- the one bright spark coming in a penalty shootout at Hanwell Town. They face a Witham Town side who sit at the bottom of the pile having won only one this campaign- against Romford two weeks ago.

Brentwood Town, in thirteenth, travel to AFC Sudbury, who start the weekend in eighteenth position. Town have lost only two of their eight competitive matches this season, whilst the Yellows won their opening league match and their opening cup match but haven’t managed a win since. They drew with Basildon United last time out, coming from two down to earn a point, and perhaps that may turn out to be the start of a revival. Brentwood will hope to prove otherwise.

Finally, nineteenth hosts sixteenth as Heybridge Swifts take on Basildon United. Swifts are much changed this season- much of last season’s side seems to be playing for Canvey Island, so perhaps they wanted more sea air- but the new squad has looked to be coming together in recent weeks; whilst the Bees have scored eight goals and taken four points from their last two matches so may prove tricky opponents.

Where next?

Can the Abbotts extend their lead- or will one of the chasing pack displace them at the top Waltham Abbey have a three point South Central advantage- but three clubs have a chance of overtaking them if they slip up. It’s our preview.
Can the Rocks beat the Mackerel Men? The Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division is slightly short on matches this weekend due to FA Cup action- but what we have looks marvellous nonetheless. Here’s our preview.

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