EAST THURROCK UNITED V LOWESTOFT TOWN
Tuesday night sees the two favourites for the Championship clash for the first time in what has to be the match of the season so far in the Ryman North. Lowestoft Town bring their unbeaten away record East Thurrock's Rookery Hill where the Rocks are unbeaten since their surprise defeat versus Brentwood Town on the 18th August. Since then in the eight home league games they have had they have won 7 and drawn 1 scoring 26 and only letting in 5 goals in the process. John Coventry has strengthened his squad with the signing of forward Chris Ellerbeck from Ryman Premier Wealdstone who has played for Ware and Harlow Town along with defender Steve Sheehan from Leyton in time for the big match.
The Essex side will know a win is the only option for them as if the travelling table topping Trawlerboys are victorious they will be ten points ahead in the league with a game in hand. If Thurrock win it'll be down to just four points with the return match due in February at Crown Meadow.
Lowestoft's Gary Holt should be available for selection but has admitted he is open to offers from League clubs. The ex Norwich City, Kilmarnock and Nottingham Forest midfielder showed what a class player he was in the game versus Enfield Town. I'm sure he still has something to offer a league side and if he does leave the Suffolk club their supporters will thank him for his time and wish him good luck.
With the impressive home record of ETU and top league scorer Sammy Higgins coming up against the fantastic unbeaten away record of Lowestoft Town I wouldn't like to predict the result but as stated only a win will be good enough for John Coventry's side, If Lowie come away with a draw I think they'll be very happy!
The form table over the last six matches suggest there will be only one winner but it's too close to call for the cold end:
bwin.com make Lowestoft Town slight favourites at 5/4 with the home side 3/2 and the draw being 5/2.
TEAM P W D L GF GA PTS
LOWESTOFT TOWN 6 5 1 0 25 6 16
EAST THURROCK 6 3 1 2 17 10 10
CONCORD SET TO LAND AT THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA
As well as the big match there is a feast of fixtures due to be played on Tuesday night with Concord the team which most fans think will be the next nearest challengers for the title travelling to face a difficult match versus Brentwood Town. Concord did win at GWR last time out but have a poor record on the road for a top six team. Brentwood have lost their last two games after an impressive run pulled them away from the relegation trap door. I can see this one being a score draw.
Ware who lost to an injury time goal going down 2-1 at Heybridge Swifts (note - they were down to nine men) on Saturday look very good value at 31/20 to win at Leyton who have lost their last five games and are without a victory since the 24th October. Former favourite Bradley Stamp has re-signed for the Wodson Park team in time for the game which former Enfield Town player Luke Marshall is suspended for following his dismissal versus Lowestoft Town.
The Stags of Waltham Forest will be in a confident mood following their victory at VCD Athletic on Saturday (now only Forest and Town have won at Oakwood this season) for their local derby with Redbridge who played their first game in a month on Saturday going down 2-1 at Fortress Chadfields versus Tilbury. The Motormen didn't show signs of rustiness after being in the garage since being thrased 0-5 at home to Lowestoft Town as they went 1-0 up and it was The Docker's two goals in the 2nd half which won the match. Forest are evens for this match.
Romford are also scheduled to take on Cheshunt with Wingate and Finchley taking on Potters Bar Town rounding up the league matches for tomorrow night. Ilford take on Northwood on Wednesday night.
GOOD LUCK TO MALDON TOWN AND HULLBRIDGE SPORTS
The cold end sends out good luck to Maldon Town who make the short trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to take on Colchester United in the Essex Senior Cup. The cold end also hopes good fortune is on the side of ESL side Hullbridge Sports who take on League Two side Digger Daggers at Victoria Road in what has been described as one of the biggest games in the club's history.
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