The top two face off!

The Trawler Boys of Lowestoft Town had an almost perfect record until they travelled to face Hashtag United last weekend- but suddenly there is a chink in their armour (hole in their Sou'wester). Our leaders are still five points clear at the top, but the chasing pack have the scent of blood in their nostrils and will be circling like a shoal of hungry sharks (other, less watery metaphors are available).

Felixstowe and Walton United, on a great run of their own, will be the first to find out whether Lowestoft’s vulnerability has been over-exaggerated, as they make the trip north. The Seasiders have been in great form but have looked vulnerable against other members of the top five, losing to both AFC Sudbury and Grays Athletic recently.

AFC Sudbury are the only North Division side not to show a moment’s vulnerability this season. The Yellows are unbeaten, have two games in hand over the leaders, and have only a five point gap to make up. They travel to Wroxham, who have had some moments of brilliance this season but saved most of them for cup competitions. The Yachtsmen have now departed all of those, however, so will hope to start moving up the table- but the Yellows have only twice failed to win this season. That said, both of those draws were away from home.

Another two form sides meet at Parkside, as fourth place Grays Athletic welcome sixth place Heybridge Swifts. Only two points separate the two teams, and Swifts have a game in hand- and have the best defensive record in the Division, conceding only seven goals. Athletic departed the FA Trophy against Stowmarket Town last weekend, whilst Swifts were slaying their second giant of the month, knocking Royston Town out of the competition. Last season Athletic took all six points, but the two sides look far more evenly matched this time around.

Brentwood Town, in fifth, welcome a Bury Town side who would go above them could they escape the Arena with three points. The home Blues are in fine form having won their last six matches, whilst the visiting Blues have lost only one of their last four and- as usual- have Cemal Ramadan scoring for fun, fourteen for the season so far.

Stowmarket Town travel to take on managerless Coggeshall Town. The Seed Growers are still without a victory all season and are consequently second bottom, whilst Stow have gone eleven matches without a defeat and will be hot favourites. By the way, their most frequent scorers recently have been Lamb and Curry, tasty!

East Thurrock United are on a good run, and put it to the test at Great Wakering Rovers- a 2PM kick off. The Rocks are six unbeaten and have won their last four, whilst Rovers have gone four without a win.

Tilbury welcome New Salamis to Chadfields. The Dockers have hit a bit of a rough patch and conceded eight goals in their last two League matches, but would point out that those defeats came against high-flying Heybridge and Sudbury. Salamis also lost to the Yellows recently, but took a point from swifts and are having a fine first Isthmian campaign. They’ll be looking to make it seven points from nine as they hit the road.

Witham Town have gone seven matches in all competitions without a victory- and have lost six of those. They welcome a side whose form has improved of late, Gorleston, who have moved out of the bottom two with wins over Basildon United and Coggeshall Town- although they did lose three matches in between those two victories.

Bottom side Maldon & Tiptree look for their first win as they welcome Basildon United. The Jammers have had a torrid season, taking only one point from eleven matches, and will be desperate to turn that run around- whilst the Bees have a draw and five defeats to show from their last six, and will want to halt their own slide.

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