MALDON AND TIPTREE MATCH AND RYMAN NORTH PREVIEW

With current leaders (on goal difference) Needham Market otherwise engaged in the Championship Manager cup Enfield Town have a chance of going top of the table with a win or even a draw in Tuesday's match at Maldon and Tiptree.

Third placed East Thurrock United who are now the only unbeaten team in the division could also find themselves at the summit of the table as they travel to face Wingate and Finchley. The Rooks will face a tough game in North London against The Blues who now seem to be hitting the mark with four wins in a row in league and cup competitions. A win for W&F would put them up to 4th place in the table (mathematically it is possible they could go third but that would take a goal difference shift of 13 goals between them and East Thurrock!!!)

Town's opponents went out of the FA Trophy in a 3-1 defeat at Zamaretto Central Division Barton Rovers at the weekend.So far they have had the following results -

2nd  October - Barton Rovers     Lost 1 - 3    FA Trophy   
28th Sep     - AFC SUDBURY       Drew 1 - 1    RL1N  
26th Sep     - Hendon            Lost 1 - 2    FA Cup 2nd QR 
21st Sep     - Harlow Town       Lost 0 - 3    RL1N
18th Sep     - WALTHAM FOREST    Won  4 - 1    RL1N  
11th Sep     - Ilford            Won  1 - 0    FA Cup 1st QR 
7th  Sep     - Romford           Lost 1 - 3    RL1N
4th  Sep     - GREAT WAKERING    Won  3 - 1    RL1N
30th Aug     - Needham Market    Lost 0 - 4    RL1N
28th Aug     - HERTFORD TOWN     Won  4 - 2    FA Cup Pre
24th Aug     - GRAYS ATHLETIC    Lost 1 - 2    RL1N  
21st Aug     - Potters Bar Town  Won  2 - 0    RL1N

Their home form across all competitions reads played 5 won 3 drew 1 lost 1 GF 13 GA 7. It would of been 4 wins had AFC Sudbury veteran goalkeeper Richard Wilmot not scored an equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time in the game on the 28th September.  The goal was the 41 year old keeper's first in his 26 years of senior football. M&T in this game scored in the 6th minute and then according to the report on the AFC Sudbury website were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure in a game of few goalmouth opportunities. 

Maldon's re-branded and rebuilt team this year includes a number of impressive signings - Goalkeepr Tony Tucker was signed from Blue Square South Boreham Wood. Tucker had been reported as one of the best keepers in the Ryman Premier last year playing a major part in Wood's play-off promotion season. Ex Tilbury full back Danny Smith, ex Met Police and Welling United player Lee Blackburn who started his career at Norwich City. Another ex Met Police player in vastly experienced central defender Craig Wilkins who has also turned out for Gravesend & Northfleet and Dover Athletic. Striker Kris Lee who played for Brentwood Town last season, Dean Standen who signed from Cray Wanderers once was subject of a £40,000 transfer fee when joining Luton Town from Welling United. Kane Rice joined from Blue Square South side Dover Athletic at the beginning of September. He played six times for the South coast side this season before moving to Essex. Winger Rice has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 17 level and has also played for Maidstone United and VCD Athletic.

With all the impressive signings joint manager's Brad King and Glen Knight have made the cold end thinks it may only be a matter of time before Maldon and Tiptree go on a run of form and climb up the table from their current 14th place position. It's another tough test for Town which is bound to be another good game and who knows with a little luck the Town Army could be singing "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE...SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE" by 9.30pm on Tuesday night!! How good will that feel??

Elsewhere this midweek Brentwood Town host Waltham Forest and Ware welcome Cheshunt to Wodson Park for a big local derby game on Tuesday night. There is an East London derby on the cards on Wednesday when Ilford play Redbridge at Cricklefields Stadium. Redbridge have recently parted company with boss Dave Ross. It was then reported Eton Manor manager Kevin Durrant was due to take the job but he is now staying put at Manor which allowed Kris Taylor to take over the hot seat at Oakside. He was formerly Assistant Manager to Ross. Taylor made a great start to his new job at the weekend when the Motormen won 2-1 against Chatham Town in the FA Trophy. Both Redbridge and Waltham Forest still remain the only teams without a league win so far and currently sit in the relegation zone although there is a long way to go yet!!