The 2023/24 Pitching In Isthmian League gets underway this Friday evening at The Len Salmon Stadium as Bowers & Pitsea host Brightlingsea Regent in a North Division game. Both were relegated from the Premier Division last season so will be looking to get a good start to the new campaign. There are some great games in prospect - I have picked out a few which I think are some of the games of the weekend.
NORTH DIVISION
Bowers & Pitsea v Brightlingsea Regent
Saturday 12th August
PREMIER DIVISION
Billericay Town v Kingstonian
Canvey Island v Haringey Borough
Carshalton Athletic v Potters Bar Town
Chatham Town v Bognor Regis Town
Enfield Town v Concord Rangers
Hashtag United v Dulwich Hamlet
Hastings United v Cheshunt
Horsham v Hornchurch
Lewes v Cray Wanderers
Margate v Whitehawk
Wingate & Finchley v Folkestone Invicta
Hashtag United make their debut at Step 4 after winning the North Division last season and it couldn't of got tougher for them with Dulwich Hamlet who were relegated from the Vanarama South visiting them. There should be a decent crowd for this which will include a good number travelling from South London. It's the first time since the 2017/18 season that Hamlet will play at Isthmian fixture with former Maidstone United boss Hakan Hayrettin now in charge.
At The Dripping Pan it's a clash between two teams who are expected to go well this season although the recent departure of striker Joe Taylor from Lewes is going to have a major effect on The Rook's goals scored column - He scored 70 goals in league and cup over the last two seasons. Taylor has moved for an undisclosed fee to South-East Division side Ramsgate.
Cray Wanderers boss Neil Smith has made a number of impressive signings over the summer - They finished in play-off positions last season and I think they'll one of the best teams this season.
NORTH DIVISION
Basildon United v Lowestoft Town
Bury Town v Brentwood Town
East Thurrock United v Wroxham
Enfield v Grays Athletic
Gorleston v New Salamis
Ipswich Wanderers v Walthamstow
Maldon & Tiptree v Felixstowe & Walton United
Stowmarket Town v Heybridge Swifts
Witham Town v Redbridge
It's an interesting game at Bishop's Stortford as Essex Senior League Champion's Enfield host Grays Athletic under the new management of former Hornchurch boss Mark Stimson. This is Stimson's second spell in charge of the club having been boss from 2002 to 2006 when the club were full-time and achieved promotion to non-league's top division and won the FA Trophy twice. Enfield are managed by Jamie Cureton and have made a few good signings in preparation for the new season including former Grays Athletic winnger Sam Bantick and Godfrey Poku who has played for Wealdstone, Woking, Luton Town and Havant & Waterlooville amongst other clubs.
Forward Ozzy Adeniji made 41 appearances for Enfield last season but will be in the Grays Athletic squad for this game having moved across for a second spell with the club he made a handful of appearances for in the 18/19 season.
SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION
Ashford Town (Middx) v Binfield
Badshot Lea v South Park (Reigate)
Chertsey Town v Hanworth Villa
Chipstead v Hartley Wintney
Guernsey v Westfield
Leatherhead v Southall
Marlow v Thatcham Town
Metropolitan Police v Sutton Common Rovers
Northwood v Corinthian-Casuals
Raynes Park Vale v Ascot United
In the South-Central Division it's going to be a great occasion for Raynes Park Vale and Ascot United as they make their Isthmian League debut. This game is a battle between the Combined Counties League Premier South and North title winners from last season with the visitor's also winning the FA Vase at Wembley.
SOUTH-EAST DIVISION
Broadbridge Heath v Sheppey United
Herne Bay v Burgess Hill Town
Hythe Town v East Grinstead Town
Lancing v Merstham
Phoenix Sports v Chichester City
Sevenoaks Town v Ramsgate
Sittingbourne v Cray Valley PM
Three Bridges v Horndean
The Rams have been pushing for promotion for the past few seasons - they missed out on the play-offs in 21/22 finishing in sixth place and then last season were runner's up to Chatham Town losing in the play-off semi-final to Hythe Town on penalty kicks. With the huge addition of Joe Taylor as mentioned their already impressive squad they'll be title challengers once more.
Rowan Liburd who scored 9 goals in 19 games for The Rams last season could be in the opposition line up as he has signed for Sevenoaks Town this season although he had to come off injured early in their Emirates FA Cup victory over Lingfield at the weekend. He was replaced by Trinidad & Tobago International striker Daniel Carr who scored in the 3-1 win alongside former Carshalton Athletic and Cray Valley PM forward Daniel Bennett who netted twice.
Defender Jahmal Howlett-Mundle who made 28 appearances for The Rams last season has also joined Sevenoaks Town so will be in opposition.
The Oaks are also expected by many people to do well this season so this is a really good game in prospect to open the campaign,
Sunday 13th August
SOUTH-EAST DIVISION
Erith & Belvedere v Ashford United - 3pm
Littlehampton Town v Beckenham Town - 1pm
On Sunday the Southern Counties East Premier Division champion's Erith & Belvedere host Ashford United. The Deres won 0-6 at Littlehampton Town in the FA Cup at the weekend and are another side expected to go well this season. Former Ramsgate striker Josh Ajayi scored two goals in the victory and has signed a one year contract with the club. The 21 year old who has also played in the Crystal Palace academy. Former Braintree Town, Enfield Town, Cray Wanderers, Aveley, Dartford, Chelmsford City and Tilbury midfielder Billy Crook has also signed for The Deres.
No comments:
Post a Comment