We've Ashford v Hawks and Becks v Chats as the South East promotion chase heats up

Leaders Chatham Town, unbeaten in the League since the first day of the season, put their winning run on the line as they travel to take on a seventh place Beckenham Town side who have their eyes firmly on the top five. The Chats have been in fine form, having won their last five matches in League and Velocity Cup, and hit Hythe Town for six last weekend; whilst Becks still seemed to be suffering from an FA Cup hangover in their defeat at Haywards Heath Town last weekend, but we know that if they can rediscover their early season form they are a force to be reckoned with.

It's second v fourth as Ashford United host Whitehawk. Four points separate the two, although the fourth place Hawks have a game in hand and remain unbeaten. The Nuts and Bolts are unbeaten in seven league matches and have won six of those, whilst the Hawks would be closer to the top had they not drawn four of their nine matches- but have been in fine form of late, scoring eleven goals in their last three matches including six against Faversham Town last weekend and three whilst knocking Premier Division Horsham out of the Velocity Cup in midweek. The last time the two sides met, on the last day of last season, the Hawks ensured their safety with a two-one win- but this Hawks side is much improved from last years model.

Ramsgate have fallen from top spot to third courtesy of losing two of their last four league fixtures, both at home- against Sheppey United and, most recently, Sevenoaks Town. The Rams are on the road to Burges Hill Town, the Hillians in their best form of the campaign, with only one defeat from their last seven matches across League and FA Trophy. The sides each lost their home matches against these opponents last season.

VCD Athletic, in fifth place, have a relatively short trip to take on second bottom side Corinthian. Vickers have hit a rough patch, losing their last three and conceding ten goals in the process, whilst the Hoops have only one win all season yet have looked far more resilient of late.

Chichester City, who scored five at VCD Athletic last weekend, have only one defeat from their last eight matches- and that against current leaders Chatham Town. City welcome Sittingbourne, two points behind them, knowing that victory could take them into the top five. That said, even the Brickies, as far down as eleventh, could enter the top five with a win if other results were to fall in their favour- but they haven’t been in their favour of late, and they travel to Sussex on the back of three consecutive defeats.

Cray Valley PM are only two points behind the top five despite some inconsistent form this season. The Millers are on the up, however, scoring eight goals in their last two matches and taking six points, and they will hope for three more as they travel to face a Hythe Town side who conceded six against Chatham last weekend. The Cannons have taken five points from their last fifteen but have had some positive moments themselves this season- whether they take more this afternoon perhaps depends on which version of themselves turns up. Kick off is at 2PM.

Littlehampton Town welcome Sheppey United to the seaside. The Golds, in ninth place, are undefeated in their last three matches- from which they’ve taken seven points despite scoring only two goals, but they’ll be delighted with three clean sheets. The Ites are third from bottom and have lost their last three in League and Cup- albeit narrowly- and although they haven’t played badly, the table doesn’t lie. Travelling fans will hope it begins to resemble it begins to resemble a romance rather than a horror story in the near future.

Lancing have delivered some fine performances of late, winning their last three matches. The Lancers are on the road to Sevenoaks Town, the Oaks full of confidence after toppling then-leaders Ramsgate last weekend, a result which they followed up with a draw against Burgess Hill Town in midweek. That’s seven points from nine for the hosts.

Faversham Town welcome East Grinstead Town. The Lilywhites have slumped to the bottom of the table after a run which has seen them fail to win a league match since August Bank Holiday Monday. Their last three matches, in League and Velocity Cup, have seen them concede fifteen goals- but they’ve strengthened their squad again in the lead up to the Wasps arrival. The visitors have lost their last three in the league- four defeats if you include a penalty loss against Leatherhead in the Velocity Cup.

Three Bridges and Haywards Heath Town play a Sussex derby- please note, there will be no parking at Jubilee Field due to their Firework Display soon after the match. Both sides will hope to deliver some fireworks of their own on the pitch, as neither have been in scintillating form of late. Bridges have won only one of their last seven league outings, form which has seen them fall into the bottom four; whilst Heath got back to winning ways last weekend after taking only one point from their previous nine.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.