PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (CENTRAL) - THE SEASON SO FAR

Berkhamsted are top of the table by seven points in The Pitching In Southern League Division One Central and they are closely followed by Biggleswade FC - The two title rivals played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday which was 1-1 at 90 minutes played. Biggleswade then had an effort cleared off the line only for the visitors to make it 1-2 via Ryan Blake almost moments later on 90+2 minutes. The home side, in front of 144 people, dug deep and equalised on 90+3 minutes through Alex Marsh in an incredible end to the game. 

Ware, currently in third place, could only manage a draw at home to Thame United who were 0-1 up thanks to Greg Hackett's first half goal. Liam Dulson equalised on 87 minutes to rescue a point for Paul Halsey's side. 

The two other play off places are currently held by Didcot Town (2-1 winners versus Hertford Town) and AFC Dunstable (4-0 winners at home to Barton Rovers). Former Hemel Hempstead Town, Kings Langley and St Neots Town striker Arel Amu netted a hat-trick for AFC in their game.

There are a host of clubs pushing for the play-off spots below including Kidlington who won 0-1 at FC Romania with a very late goal. The Greens, who finished in seventeenth-place last season, are one of the most improved sides in the division alongside Kempston Rovers who had to beat Eccleshill United in the Step 4/5 play-off at the end of last season to retain their status at this level after an eighteenth-place finish. 

The Walnut Boys, now under the management of former Biggleswade Town boss Chris Nunn, are currently in tenth - they lost at home to Waltham Abbey on Saturday who move up to seventh place in the table. Attacking Midfielder Osaretin Otote who has previously played for Mansfield Town and Huddersfield Town at academy level scored one of the goals for the Essex side. 

SOME FACTS AND STATS FOR THE SEASON SO FAR 

AYLESBURY UNITED and BARTON ROVERS are the only two teams left without an away win. Both are struggling with Rovers currently bottom of the table and The Ducks in 18th place. Rovers have picked up just one point from a possible thirty which came in a 1-1 draw at FC Romania back on Wednesday 17th August - they have since lost nine games in a row on their travels conceding an average of 3.66 goals per game. The Ducks have two draws and six defeats - both draws were amazing games being 3-3 at Harlow Town and 4-4 at Hertford Town. 

Both clubs have had a recent change in management so their fans maybe celebrating winning three points on their travels soon! 

There are no teams currently unbeaten away from home. 

Three teams remain with a home defeat with BERKHAMSTED making their Broadwater Stadium a fortress with all nine league games won along with three FA Cup games, one FA Trophy game and a Herts Senior Cup game.

Their last home defeat came at the end of the last season in the play-off semi-final against North Leigh - Manager Chris Devane, appointed in June 2020, will most definitely be aiming to go up automatically this season. 

AFC DUNSTABLE have won five and drawn three of their games with BIGGLESWADE TOWN on three wins and five draws. 

Central Bedfordshire is the place for games finishing all square. BIGGLESWADE TOWN have seven draws from fifteen games played (46.66%) with BIGGLESWADE FC on seven draws from twenty games (35.00%) - DIDCOT TOWN have only drawn one of their eighteen games (5.56%). The Waders lost two of their opening three games but have since gone twelve games without a defeat. 

TOP SCORERS

LIAM DULSON (WARE) - 14 GOALS 

DAVID OGBONNA (HERTFORD TOWN) - 13 GOALS 

BEN BAKER (AFC KEMPSTON TOWN) - 12 GOALS 

RYAN BLAKE (BERKHAMSTED) - 12 GOALS 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER

AFC Dunstable v Waltham Abbey

Biggleswade Town v Harlow Town

Hadley v Cirencester Town

Welwyn Garden City v Kempston Rovers

WEDNESDAY 7th DECEMBER 

Kidlington v Aylesbury United

SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER

AFC Dunstable v Cirencester Town

Barton Rovers v Kidlington

Biggleswade Town v Berkhamsted

Hadley v Aylesbury United

Harlow Town v Hertford Town

Highworth Town v Waltham Abbey

Kempston Rovers v Walthamstow

Thame United v FC Romania

Ware v Biggleswade FC

Welwyn Garden City v Didcot Town

tables courtesy of footballwebpages.co.uk

THE COLD END WEEKEND PREVIEW - THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY CONTINUES & DERBY DAY AS THE BEES HOST THE STONES

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

BARNET v WEALDSTONE

A huge local derby between two sides whose supporter groups have a big rivalry between each other which stems back to 2003 and the starting of construction on the ground which is now known as 'The Hive' and the home of Barnet.

It was initially intended to be the new home for The Stones but due to financial problems the project wasn't completed and The Bee's brought the lease and eventually moved into a completed stadium in 2013. 

Add to this the fact Barnet's head-coach is former Wealdstone boss Dean Brennan who helped The Stones to promotion to non-league's top division. 

Both teams are in good form with the away side four games without defeat and the hosts on three game winning run where they have not conceded a goal. 

The Stones won both league games last season winning 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale in front of 2,662 fans and 1-3 at The Hive with 2,248 fans in attendance. 

They'll be another big crowd for this one and lots of noise from both sets of supporters. 

VANARAMA NATIONAL SOUTH

CHELMSFORD CITY v DARTFORD

Fourth v top of the table. The Darts are in great form losing just one of their last ten league games. City have lost two of their last ten. Former Republic of Ireland u21 International Samir Carruthers has scored 9 league goals for the Kent side this season. 

WEYMOUTH v CHESHUNT

A relegation six pointer as The Ambers travel to the South Coast. The Terras have picked up two wins in their last two games winning 1-0 at home to Braintree Town and 1-2 at Welling United. Craig Edwards side have just two wins from ten games in their travels this season so far. 

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN PREMIER DIVISION

ENFIELD TOWN v BISHOP'S STORTFORD

Fourth v Fifth in the table and a clash between two of the form teams in the division who have both won four of their last six games. 

The Blues won both games last season winning 0-2 at Donkey Lane in February in front of 754 people and 2-1 at The ProKit UK Stadium in November with an attendance of 453. 

Jake Cass netted 15 goals for Bishop's Stortford last season before moving to Enfield Town in January. He played against his former club in the game in February but was carrying an injury which didn't allow his to play to his usual high standards - He will be eager to hit the back of the net against his former club on Saturday. 

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN NORTH DIVISION

LOWESTOFT TOWN v HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 

Fourth v Third in the table. The Trawlerboys were clear at the top of the table being unbeaten in their first ten league games but have lost four of their last five games which has seen them drop down the table. The Swifts are unbeaten in seven games of which six have been wins. They are also still involved in the FA Trophy where they comfortably beat Step Two side Hereford in the Second Round and now face Hungerford Town in the Third Round on Saturday 17th December. 

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN SOUTH-EAST DIVISION

FAVERSHAM TOWN v CORINTHIAN 

Bottom v Second Bottom in the table. This will be Sammy Moore's first game in charge of The Lillywhites - He swopped top of the Premier Division with Potters Bar Town for a relegation battle and project with Faversham Town this week. 

The Management duo of John Embery and Jermaine Darlington left the club in mid-October to be replaced by Simon Austin who departed earlier this week. 

The Kent club have made some ambitious signings recently including former Crystal Palace and Plymouth Argyle defender Matt Parsons who joined from Sheppey United, Joe Tyrie who joins on loan from Tonbridge Angels, Harrison Carnegie who started the season with Brightlingsea Regent, winger Kieron Campbell from Herne Bay and former Dulwich Hamlet striker Frankie Sawyer. 

The most impressive signing is centre-forward Zak Ansah who has moved from Premier Division Herne Bay and scored in his first two games for Faversham against Sheppey United and Three Bridges. He netted 25 goals for Herne Bay last season. 

Corinthian have struggled to score goals this season with just nine scored in fifteen league games. In seven away games they have one win, one draw and five defeats with four goals scored. They do have a decent defensive record away from home letting in just nine goals so they'll be difficult to beat. 

This is a huge game for both sides! 

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE SOUTH-EAST DIVISION 

CURRENT TABLE - BOTTOM THREE 

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
18.	HAYWARDS HEATH TOWN	15	4	4	7	20	30	-10	16	LWLDLW
19.	CORINTHIAN	15	2	2	11	9	26	-17	8	LLWLDL
20.	FAVERSHAM TOWN	16	2	1	13	16	44	-28	7	WLLLLL

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL

BIGGLESWADE FC v BERKHAMSTED 

A top of the table clash. The only blot on The Comrade's copybook in their last ten league games is a defeat at Ware who are currently in third place. Biggleswade are unbeaten in five league games and have scored thirteen goals in those games - they have only lost one of their nine home league games played so far. 

ISUZU FA VASE THIRD ROUND

There are some brilliant games in prospect on The Road To Wembley in the Isuzu FA Vase Third Round. These are my picks for the local games -

SPORTING BENGAL UNITED v DEAL TOWN 

A Step 6 v Step 5 game. The East London side have equalled their best ever run in the competition which came in the 11/12 season when they lost to local rival's Bethnal Green United (now Tower Hamlets). They've had a great set of results so far beating Seaford Town, Westside, Pagham and in the last round had an amazing result away at Glebe winning 3-6 with Liam George netting a hat-trick. Deal Town famously won the competition in 2000 and got the Fifth Round in the 19/20. 

BIGGLESWADE UNITED v LAKENHEATH

The home side are in good form and are unbeaten in their last seven league games. They knocked out London Lions and Redbridge in the last two rounds and have also beaten Southend Manor and White Ensign to get to this stage. Both teams are in fifth place in their respective step 5 divisions so this will likely be a very close game. 

DUNSTABLE TOWN v TRING ATHLETIC 

Two teams going well in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division albeit the home side's form has dropped off in recent weeks. Tring Athletic won 1-0 in a league fixture in November with substitute Joel Anker scoring the winner. This game is being played on Sunday so they'll be a good number of groundhoppers and neutral fans present. 

HAREFIELD UNITED v NORTH GREENFORD UNITED

An all Combined Counties League Premier Division North clash and a local derby as well as the visitors only have to travel 10 miles to the game. It's 9th v 17th in the table. North Greenford have already equalled their best run in the competition with Harefield's best coming back in 1988/89 when they lost to Yeading at the Quarter-Final stage. 

HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BALDOCK TOWN RESERVES v L7 ACADEMY

The home side have done brilliant since promotion from Division Two at the end of last season. They have won their last three league games 3-2 (v Knebworth), 7-3 (v Old Parmiterians) and 4-1 (v Welwyn GC u21).  

They are currently top of the table on twenty-four points from twelve games played with L7 Academy, in their first season in senior football, in third place on twenty points from only nine games. They have only lost one game so far and are unbeaten in six league games. Jack Mead has eleven goals in eight games for L7. 

Charlee Yearwood has netted the same amount in ten games for Baldock continuing on his marvellous form from last season where he also made some appearances for Shefford Town and Campton in the SSMFL Division One. 

LEWISHAM BOROUGH TAKE THE POINTS IN THE FIRST CATFORD CLASSICO OF THE SEASON

It was derby day in SE6 last Wednesday evening as Lewisham Borough played Forest Hill Park in the Catford Classico. The two local rivals share The Ladywell Arena with Borough playing at Step Six of the non-league ladder since the 2011/12 season and Forest since the 2015/16 season. 

Forest were formed in 1992 and their name relates to the Forest HIll and Honor Oak Park areas of The London Borough of Lewisham. They played in Sunday football for one season before moving to Saturday football and playing in The Bromley & District League, South London Alliance and Kent County League before their move up to the Kent Invicta League (now the SCEFL Division One) in 2015. 

They have played in Dulwich and the Catford Wanderers Sports Ground where they played as 'Catford Wanderers' for two seasons in the early 2000s. 

I visited Lewisham Borough twice last season and wrote about their wonderful club for their games against Meridian VP and Sutton Athletic. 

As is always at The Ladywell Arena it was a lovely welcome by all involved with both clubs.  As the game kicked off there was some singing of "LEWISHAM, LEWISHAM, LEWISHAM...COME ON BOROUGH" and "THERE'S ONLY ONE TEAM IN CATFORD" from one very vocal and enthusiastic home supporter. 

Forest Hill Park are struggling towards the bottom of the SCEFL Division One but prior to kick off in this game had one of the best defensive records in the table conceding just 11 goals in 10 league games which on a goals per game basis equates to just 1.1 per game - this was a better defensive record than league leader's Snodland Town who have let in 20 in 15 goals or 1.33 per game. 

The problem for them was at the other end of the pitch as they had only scored 6 in those 10 games of which they had only won one - this came on the opening day of the season 1-0 at Rochester United. 

Borough were also down towards the bottom of the table winning 3 of their 11 games with 1 draw and 7 defeats - they had lost their previous three games. 

With all the rain fall there had been in London over the past week and the fact two games has been played on the pitch in the previous week the surface at The Ladywell Arena was very heavy. 

It was Borough who took the game to The Forest with former Croydon midfielder Emmanuel Sontan (wearing number 7 in the video highlights) standing out for me - His positive and skilful forward runs created a number of good opportunities for the home side. 

They took the lead through Reon Sailes on 20 minutes and added another from former QPR Academy player Sineen Sineen on 25 minutes. 

At half time it really did look like they would add to the score in the second half but credit to The Forest who worked hard in the second half and were awarded a penalty which Thomas Ngegba scored to make it 2-1. 

It was Lewisham Borough who held on for a famous victory in the first Catford Classico of the season in front of 72 fans in SE6. 

It's certainly not all doom and gloom for Forest Hill Park as on Saturday they travelled to Staplehurst Monarchs and achieved something they haven't done since March by scoring three goals in a game they won 2-3. Devontae Young, who was substitute in Wednesday's game, netted twice along with Abdul-Rahman Sunmonu. The winner was scored in the 90th minute! 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - SHORT VERSION 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - LONG VERSION 

PENALTY INCIDENT

@thecoldendofficial #Grassroots #NonLeague #Soccer #Grassrootsfootball #football #Fyp #penalty ♬ Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw

FOREST HILL PARK 

SCEFL DIVISION ONE RESULTS AND FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 22/23

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT	CROWD
13/8/22	Rochester United	W 1-0	99
3/9/22	LYDD TOWN	L 1-2	47
13/9/22	Meridian VP	L 0-1	27
17/9/22	FAVERSHAM STRIKE FORCE	D 1-1	35
26/9/22	SC Thamesmead	D 0-0	104
1/10/22	TOOTING BEC	L 1-2	28
15/10/22	AFC Whyteleafe	D 0-0	203
22/10/22	Croydon	D 1-1	54
29/10/22	LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE	L 0-3	34
5/11/22	Bridon Ropes	D 1-1	20
23/11/22	Lewisham Borough	L 1-2	74
26/11/22	Staplehurst Monarchs	W 3-2	89
3/12/22	AFC WHYTELEAFE
10/12/22	GREENWAYS
17/12/22	Snodland Town

Average Home attendance - 36 

Average goals scored per game - 0.83

Average goals conceded per game - 1.25 

LEWISHAM BOROUGH 

SCEFL DIVISION ONE RESULTS & FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 22/23

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT	CROWD
13/8/22	Lydd Town	L 1-2	49
20/8/22	Snodland Town	L 1-2	102
3/9/22	Croydon	L 1-2
17/9/22	Greenways	W 3-2
21/9/22	Tooting Bec	W 4-1
5/10/22	FC ELMSTEAD	L 0-2	60
8/10/22	Bermondsey Town	W 5-0	17
22/10/22	SC THAMESMEAD	D 1-1	109
29/10/22	Faversham Strike Force	L 1-2	96
5/11/22	LYDD TOWN	L 1-2	61
12/11/22	Staplehurst Monarchs	L 2-4	72
23/11/22	FOREST HILL PARK	W 2-1	72
10/12/22	Rochester United
17/12/22	TOOTING BEC
7/1/23	AFC WHYTELEAFE

Average Home attendance - 75

Average goals scored per game - 1.82

Average goals conceded per game - 1.75 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

CURRENT LEAGUE TABLE - TOP TEN ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
1.	LEIGHTON TOWN	15	11	2	2	39	13	+26	35	DWWWWW
2.	CRAWLEY GREEN	17	11	2	4	48	23	+25	35	WLWWWL
3.	STOTFOLD	16	10	4	2	36	19	+17	34	WWWWLW
4.	TRING ATHLETIC	19	8	4	7	31	33	-2	28	LWWWWL
5.	BIGGLESWADE UNITED	14	8	3	3	34	26	+8	27	WWWDWD
6.	POTTON UNITED	15	7	5	3	28	16	+12	26	WWDWWD
7.	LEVERSTOCK GREEN	16	6	7	2	27	16	+11	25	DDDLWW
8.	ST PANTELEIMON	15	7	4	4	27	22	+5	25	LDWWLD
9.	RISBOROUGH RANGERS	15	7	3	5	30	28	+2	24	WDLWWL
10.	DUNSTABLE TOWN	13	6	5	2	25	17	+8	23	DDLLWD

CHAMPIONS AND PROMOTED TO STEP FOUR

QUALIFICATION FOR STEP FOUR/FIVE PLAY-OFFS

Leighton Town's 2-0 home victory over Tring Athletic was their fifth league win in a row and ended Tring's four game winning run in the Herts/Beds Border Derby at the weekend. 

An impressive crowd of 413 were present at Bell Close to see Archie McClelland and Luke Pyman scored the goals. The attendance beat all of the games in The Pitching-In Southern League Division One (Central) which is the division The Champions of the league will be promoted to - Berkhamsted, currently top, had 225 for their game against Kempston Rovers. 

Crawley Green were well beaten by Leverstock Green who collected all three points at The Brache with a 1-4 victory in front of 55 people. It was a memorable day for Levvy Manager Fergus Moore as his 16 year old son Callum Moore came off the bench to make his senior debut and scored in the 95th minute. You could say it was a mixture of youth and experience on the bench as Scott McGleish also came on in the 88th minute. It's amazing to see the former football league striker still playing regular football at 48 years of age. 

Stotfold, aside from a recent defeat at Potton United, have been in great form winning five of their last six league games.

Dunstable Town looked in real contention but have dropped off in recent weeks winning only one victory of their last six games. 

CURRENT LEAGUE TABLE - BOTTOM FOUR ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
17.	HODDESDON TOWN	16	4	4	8	20	35	-15	16	WLWLLD
18.	ARLESEY TOWN	17	2	2	13	15	35	-20	8	LLLLLL
19.	COLNEY HEATH	16	2	2	12	11	33	-22	8	LLLWLL
20.	LONDON COLNEY	17	1	2	14	12	44	-32	5	LLDLLL

DENOTES RELEGATION TO STEP SIX

FACTS AND STATS ON THE SEASON SO FAR 

COCKFOSTERS are the only team yet to win away from home. They have been difficult to beat drawing four and lost two of the six games on the road where they have struggled to find the back of the net scoring only six times compared to seventeen goals in eight games in home fixtures. Their defeats have been in their most recent games at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (3-1) and Harpenden Town (2-0). Before these games they had drawn 1-1 at Baldock Town, 0-0 at Colney Heath, 2-2 at Stotfold and by the same scoreline at Biggleswade United. Their next games are at home to Potton United and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. 

LEIGHTON TOWN, STOTFOLD and LEVERSTOCK GREEN are the three sides who remain unbeaten at home. The league leaders have won seven and drawn one of eight games - their only dropped points have come in a 1-1 draw to Leverstock Green on Saturday 29th October. The Fold have four wins and three draws from seven games with Levvy on four wins and four draws.

TRING ATHELTIC have conceded thirty-three goals which is the most in the current top ten - COLNEY HEATH who are currently second from bottom of the table have let in the same amount albeit only in 16 games and not the 19 Tring have played. 

ARLESEY TOWN and LONDON COLNEY are still looking for their first home win of the season. Town have two draws (v Tring Athletic and Leverstock Green) and seven losses in nine games. The Blueboys have one draw (v Harpenden Town) and six defeats in seven games. 

POTTON UNITED are the only side left without a defeat away from home. They have three wins and five draws in eight games and have only conceded six goals. 

It's been a difficult season for local rival's COLNEY HEATH and LONDON COLNEY. It all started so well for The Blueboys with a brilliant 0-2 victory at Cockfosters but since then they have lost fourteen and drawn only two games. The Magpies won their second game of the season 2-1 at home to Arlesey Town but then went on a run of eleven games without a win - they recently got their second win of the season, and it was against Arlesey Town again winning 0-2 but they have since lost 5-0 at Crawley Green and 2-4 at Tring Athletic. 

Both have had a change in management with Stuart Crawford departing London Colney to be replaced by Ken Charlery. The Magpies have seen Ant Burns depart with former New Salamis boss George Georgiou coming in. 

Tuesday 27th December is the big day in local football as the A414 DERBY takes place at The Recreation Derby. Just under 3 miles sperate the two clubs. 

With Colney Heath playing at Step Four last season and the 20/21 season ending early due to the pandemic it's the first league meeeitng between The Magpies and The Blueboys since Saturday 28th December 2019 when Colney Heath won 4-0 with George Devine netting a hat-trick with 121 fans present. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES (LEAGUE ONLY) 

Saturday 3rd December

Cockfosters v Potton United 

Ardley United v Colney Heath 

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Crawley Green

Baldock Town v London Colney

Hoddesdon Town v Arlesey Town 

Leverstock Green v Harpenden Town 

Stotfold v Risborough Rangers

Tuesday 6th December

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Biggleswade United 

Saturday 10th December

Arlesey Town v Stotfold 

Biggleswade United v Dunstable Town 

Cockfosters v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 

Colney Heath v Hoddesdon Town 

Harpenden Town v Tring Athletic 

Leverstock Green v Crawley Green 

London Colney v Risborough Rangers 

Shefford Town & Campton v Ardley United 

St Panteleimon v Baldock Town

PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - AN UPDATE ON THE SEASON SO FAR

What could be a pivotal result at the top of the table occurred yesterday as Hornchurch won 2-5 at Potters Bar Town which saw The Urchins move within a point of The Scholars at the top of the table. Liam Nash, who had been on the bench for the Essex side in their last two league games, returned to the starting line-up and netted a hat-trick with Sam Higgins netting the other two goals - The former East Thurrock United and Chelmsford City striker has now scored 18 goals in just 13 league and cup games so far this season.  

WILL THE TITLE WINNERS COME FROM THE CURRENT TOP FIVE OR WILL ANOTHER TEAM EMERGE FROM LOWER DOWN THE TABLE?

It's the first time since Saturday 29th January 2022 that The Scholars have conceded four or more goals in a game - they lost 0-7 at home to Folkestone Invicta on that day. 

It's the second time this season Mark Stimson's side have scored 5 or more goals on their travels as they won 0-6 at Herne Bay earlier in the season. 

The Urchins have scored the most goals in league games this season with a current total of 44 which is 9 more than the next best team Potters Bar Town currently on 35 - It's an even more impressive statistic when you see Hornchurch have played one less game. 

Fourth placed Enfield Town have a very important month coming up as they host Bishop's Stortford next Saturday before travelling to Aveley on Friday 9th December. They then host Hornchurch on Sat 17th December before playing Potters Bar Town at home on Boxing Day. The Town have lost both their games against the current top five so far which both came away from home against Hornchurch and Potters Bar Town. 

Enfield Town v Bishop's Stortford is the game of the day next weekend as they are the form sides in the last ten league games with both winning seven, drawing two and losing just one game. 

There are just six points separating Potters Bar Town at the top of the table and Bishop's Stortford in fifth place so it's really looking likely to be a very exciting season - below the play-off places we have Canvey Island in sixth place on 28 points and only 8 points down to Folkestone Invicta in sixteenth place. 

TOP FIVE v TOP FIVE TABLE 

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
HORNCHURCH	4	3	0	1	10	6	+4	9
BISHOP'S STORTFORD	3	2	0	1	4	2	+2	6
AVELEY	3	2	0	1	4	3	+1	6
POTTERS BAR TOWN	4	2	0	2	5	10	-5	6
ENFIELD TOWN	2	0	0	2	3	5	-2	0

At the foot of the table, it's Corinthian-Casuals and Herne Bay who are currently in the bottom two followed closely by Brightlingsea Regent and Bowers & Pitsea with Wingate & Finchley just outside the drop zone. 

Only Herne Bay have a win away from home of the teams in the current bottom four. Bowers got so close to collecting all three points at Lewes on Saturday - they were 0-2 up at half time only for Lewes to equalise on 90+& minutes!! 

Regent Manager Brett Munyard has recently made the signings of Enfield Town defender Ryan Kirwan and Buckhurst Hill duo of midfielder Nathan Sollosi and striker Suleyman Zudhu along with Ipswich Town youngster Finn Steele, a defender, on loan until January. 

Sollosi and Zudhu have some goal scoring pedigree. Sollosi had netted 9 times in 12 games with Zudhu getting 10 in 17 for the Essex Senior League this season. 

Last season at Step Six they got 40 goals in 36 games and 41 in 41 games! 

Zudhu got a goal on his debut for Regent coming off the bench to score an 81st minute equaliser at Herne Bay in a 1-1 draw. 

The Essex side are without a win in 12 league games but will be encouraged by the 1-1 draw at the weekend and a very impressive 1-1 draw at home to Hornchurch in their previous game. 

Corinthian-Casuals have two wins from their seventeen games played so far - Both have come at home against teams currently in the bottom four. They beat Bowers & Pitsea on the opening day (4-1) and Herne Bay 3-2 on Saturday 5th November. Their next league game comes at home to Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday - What a huge 90 minutes that will be for both clubs!! 

They have also recruited some new players under the new management of Justin Fevrier - 

Midfielder Merrick James-Lewis has signed from South-East Division side East Grinstead Town. He played in the recent game against Wingate and Finchley but didn't feature against Hastings United. The 30-year-old began his career with Fulham and Southend United and has since played for a huge number of clubs - Braintree Town (loan), Braintree Town (loan) Bishop's Stortford (loan), Carshalton Athletic (loan), Colchester United, Concord Rangers, Canvey Island, Ebbsfleet United, Farnborough, Walton & Hersham, Crawley Down Gatwick, Cray Wanderers, Staines Town, Walton Casuals, Grays Atheltic, Walton Casuals (second spell), Maldon & Tiptree, Heybridge Swifts, Merstham, Canvey Island (second spell), Farnborough (second spell), Enfield Town, AFC Uckfield Town, Thamesmead Town, Hendon, Thamesmead Town (second spell), Walton Casuals (third spell), Herne Bay, Thamesmead Town (third spell), Egham Town, South Park, Haywards Heath Town and Sutton Common Rovers before he joined The Wasps. 

Centre Back Rueben Collins played for Merstham in the Premier Division last season and has also represented AFC Wimbledon, Basingstoke Town and Truro City. 

Simbe Kudyiwa, also a central defender, counts Aldershot Town and Met Police as former clubs. 

Sam Dowridge, 23, is an attacking midfielder who began his career in the Spartan South Midlands League played for Codicote, Biggleswade United, London Colney, Potton United and then in the Southern League Central Division for Berkhamsted. He signed for Havant & Waterlooville in the summer of 2020 and has since played for Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian Premier. 

Herne Bay v Wingate & Finchley is also a huge game at the bottom of the table next weekend. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 

Monday 28th November

Carshalton Athletic v Billericay Town 

Wednesday 30th November 

Folkestone Invicta v Bowers & Pitsea 

Friday 2nd December 

Margate v Billericay Town 

Saturday 3rd December 

Bognor Regis Town v Hastings United

Bowers & Pitsea v Hornchurch 

Canvey Island v Folkestone Invicta 

Carshalton Athletic v Potters Bar Town 

Corinthian-Casuals v Brightlingsea Regent 

Enfield Town v Bishop's Stortford

Haringey Borough v Lewes 

Herne Bay v Wingate & Finchley

Horsham v Aveley

Kingstonian v Cray Wanderers 

Tuesday 6th December

Corinthian-Casuals v Bishop's Stortford 

Hastings United v Canvey Island 

Herne Bay v Billericay Town 

Hornchurch v Folkestone Invicta 

Wednesday 7th December

Bognor Regis Town v Cray Wanderers 

Kingstonian v Lewes 

Friday 9th December

Aveley v Enfield Town 

Saturday 10th December

Billericay Town v Corinthian-Casuals

Bishop's Stortford v Herne Bay

Brightlingsea Regent v Horsham

Folkestone Invicta v Bognor Regis Town 

Hastings United v Bowers & Pitsea

Hornchurch v Kingstonian 

Lewes v Canvey Island

Potters Bar Town v Margate

Wingate & Finchley v Carshalton Athletic 

Sunday 11th December

Cray Wanderers v Haringey Borough

Tables courtesy of footballwebpages.co.uk