Will the Blues give the Blues the blues?

Because of FA Cup commitments we’ve only four matches in Pitching In Isthmian Premier on Saturday, but they involve two of the top five.

Third place Bishop’s Stortford welcome Wingate & Finchley in a story of the Blues, although the home Blues are far less blue than the travelling Blues, as the travelling Blues have yet to pick up a league win this season whilst the home Blues have won their last three. Stortford’s wins, against Aveley, Bowers & Pitsea and Horsham have each been by a two-nil scoreline, so it seems they’ve found some defensive solidity too. Wingate & Finchley have drawn five of their eight matches and lost the other three, a run which sees them kick off in the bottom four. They lost three-nil at Bognor last Saturday. Last season’s meetings saw Stortford take a win double, the last of those- of course- a two-nil victory in March, Chris Harris and Frankie Merrifield with the goals.

Aveley welcome Margate to Parkside. The Millers have won only one of their last five in all competitions, although it must be said that three of those five matches came against Potters Bar Town- a draw and defeat in the cup, and a win in the League. Gate lost five-two against Enfield Town last weekend, and two-one in the Cup at Dulwich Hamlet the week before, so will be determined not to make it three defeats in a row.

Horsham have slipped out of the top five and on the back of a poor run which has seen them take one point from twelve. The Hornets travel to face Bowers & Pitsea, the hosts outside of the bottom four only on goal difference. Bowers are without a league win since August 20th, but haven’t been too far away, drawing three of their last four matches. They defeated the Hornets at the Len Salmon this time last season, one-nil, and delivered a one-one draw on the road. A win for Horsham might see them back in the top five, but the three sides above them are also in action.

Ninth hosts eighth as Canvey Island welcome Bognor Regis Town for a seaside struggle. The Rocks defeated Wingate & Finchley three-nil last time out but have yet to find consistency, manging to be brilliant on occasions and far from that on others; whilst the Gulls are unbeaten in their last five league matches but did draw three of them.

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