A North Trophy Saturday

Barton Rovers of Pitching In Southern Division One Central are the hosts for Waltham Abbey. The sides known each other well, as the Abbotts were in that Division during the last few years, and the last six meetings between them have seen two Abbotts wins, three draws and one victory for Rovers. Both of their meetings last seasoin ended all square, but this one must have a winner.

We’ve a North v North clash as Brentwood Town welcome Witham Town, both sides in fine form. The Blues have played five matches in all competitions and won four of them, the latest a five-nil cup hammering of Enfield last weekend; whilst Witham have been wonderous so far, winning five of their six matches and drawing the other. Witham defeated the Blues at this stage of the competition two years ago, but that’s their only win in their last ten meetings.

It’s been a good start to the North Division campaign for both Felixstowe and Walton United and Basildon United, and the two sides meet in the Trophy on Saturday. The seasiders have a one hundred percent home record in League and Cup, and have wowed the Martello Ground faithful by scoring eighteen goals on their own patch so far- in five games. The travelling Bees have a one hundred percent league record, and indeed had a one hundred percent record in all competitions until a narrow defeat against Biggleswade last weekend- but they quickly bounced back to winning ways in the Velocity Cup in midweek, and have scored eight goals in their two matches on their travels. You’re right, this has nil-nil written all over it!

Grays Athletic, who played some impressive football in defeating Walthamstow (on penalties) in the Velocity Cup in midweek, will hope to build upon that first away win of the season as they travel to take on Pitching In Southern Division One Central side Hadley. The hosts are undefeated in the League after three wins and a draw.

We’ve a local derby- indeed a rather fierce rivalry- as Heybridge Swifts host Maldon & Tiptree. Swifts have started the season as draw specialists, each of their league matches so far ending level- and they also had two Cup draws against Leverstock Green but lost the second of those on penalties. The Jammers have lost once in the League after starting the season by being knocked out of the Cup at the first hurdle. Swifts won both meetings between the sides last season. 

Ipswich Wanderers is the destination for North Division one hundred percenters Gorleston. The Greens have actually played three league matches, three cup matches, and won the lot- whilst Wanderers departed the Cup in midweek against Newmarket Town, but that was only their second defeat in eight matches so far this season. They have, however, gone four without a victory. Last season’s meetings saw the Greens do the double. 

Leverstock Green, conquerors of Heybridge Swifts in the Cup, are the hosts for North Division leaders Bury Town. Town have nine points from twelve in the league, looking good apart from when they have to play Felixstowe (three times already), whilst Green, of Pitching In Southern Division One Central, are yet to win a league match.

Another all-North tie sees Mildenhall Town take on Brightlingsea Regent. Hall are yet to win a match this season- although they have only played four- whilst Regent have been excellent on occasions but are yet to find consistency, although that’s perhaps not been helped by playing nearly half of the seaosn so far against Haringey Borough. The North Londoners knocked them out of the Cup in midweek after the previous fixtures had seen a Regent win and a draw.

Redbridge welcome Haringey Borough for an all-North and all-London encounter. The Motormen seem to be finding their feet after winning their last two matches, whilst Borough haven’t yet picked up a League point but are unbeaten in three knockout matches, culminating in victory over Brightlingsea Regent in midweek.

Tilbury are at home to Welywn Garden City of Pitching In Southern Division One Central. City’s five League fixtures so far have brought three wins, two defeats and lots of goals, whilst the Dockers are five unbeaten in all competitions and have Sam Bantick in his customary fine form with five goals so far. 

Walthamstow are at home for the second time this week and rather desperate for a win as Real Bedford make the trip to East London. Stow played well in the second half of their Velocity Cup tie against Grays Athletic on Wednesday night before losing a shootout, and will surely begin to pick up victories soon. Their Pitching In Southern Division One Central opponents might prove a tough test, however, having won four and lost only one of their five league matches so far, kept four clean sheets, and scored a rather impressive seventeen goals! 

Newmarket Town are on the way to Wodson Park, where they will take on Pitching In Southern Division One Central side Ware. The hosts lost to North Division opposition in the Cup last month, Brentwood Town, but are unbeaten since; whilst the Jockeys have played only two league matches so far this season but are unbeaten in four cup ties, culminating in victory over Ipswich Wanderers in midweek.

Wroxham, new manager in harness, welcome Pitching In Southern Division One Central Aylesbury United to the Ginger Pickle Arena. The Yachtsmen have lost their last four in all competitions, whilst their visitors are top of the table, five unbeaten, and have conceded only one league goal. 

Sunday sees Cambridge City host Kings Lanley of Pitching In Southern Division One Central. The visitors have lost their last two in League and Cup after an unbeaten start to the season, whilst City are still playing in St Ives whilst awaiting the completion of their new home, and have perhaps unsurprisingly had a mixed start to the season.

Sunday will also see Littlehampton Town welcome Sporting Bengal United, South East v North. The Golds have been rather short of football so far, having played only one league match- a narrow defeat- and three knockout matches, the last of those a victory in the previous round of the Trophy, a shootout win over Rayners Lane after a two-two draw on August 27th. This wilkl be their fifth consecutive home match- they haven’t yet played away from the Sportsfield. United have played four league matches so far, winning two and losing two, and if that pattern continues are due a victory!