Can the Rooks extend their lead?

Lewes have opened up a six point lead at the top, so the chasing pack will hope that they come unstuck as they travel to Potters Bar Town (Kings Langley)- whilst the Scholars, who start the day in seventh and may well climb into the top five with victory, will be feeling exactly the same! The Rooks have won six of their eight matches so far this season, only Hastings United and Carshalton Athletic taking as much as a point, and have conceded only one league goal away from the Dripping Pan- stand up Anthony Cook of Cray Wanderers, not that it did his side much good. For the Scholars, whilst they want for the completion of pitch installation work in their own ground, every game is an away game, and on that basis they are doing remarkably well to be in seventh place, and they have won their last two ‘home’ matches without conceding a goal. Striker Steve Cawley may be the biggest test yet for the Lewes defence, as he has scored in six of his eight matches so far- and indeed has eight of his sides ten goals. 

Second place Dover Athletic welcome Wingate and Finchley to their corner of Kent (pictured). Athletic have actually been better on the road than on their own patch so far this season, undefated on their travels, whilst their North London visitors have gone off the boil after a positive start, with only one win in six- that coming against Thame United in the Cup at the end of last month. 

Billericay Town remain undefeated, but will perhaps be a little disappointed that they’ve been unable to turn a couple of their draws (4) into wins (3). The Blues will hope for a fourth win of the season as they welcome Bognor Regis Town, the Rocks having had a very hit and miss start to the campaign but hoping to build on a comfortable win over Cray Wanderers last weekend. The last time the sides met, in January, Bognor won one-nil- their only triumph in their last six meetings.

Dulwich Hamlet have been in fine form of late, and they head to Bowers and Pitsea on the back of a two wins in which they’ve scored eight goals and conceded four- entertainment at both ends. Most of the entertainment for Hamlet fans this season has so far come from the artistry of Luke Wanadio, who already has eight goals in nine matches. Bowers haven’t had the best of starts, and have only one league win so far, but they aren’t far away from getting it right- they haven’t conceded more than two goals in any match. They’ve been better on the road than at the Len Salmon, however, winning at Billericay in the Cup and Dartford in the league but taking only one point on their own patch.

Cray Valley PM head to Hendon, a green on green battle. The fifth place Millers were red hot in the early stages of the season but have been more lukewarm of late; whilst you could say exactly the same about their visitors, who start the weekend in eighth place. Hendon don’t yet have an away win, which perhaps makes the Millers favourites. 

Finally, Folkestone Invicta travel to Chichester City, twelfth v ninth. City have adapted well to the demands of the Premier Division, whilst Invicta are having a rather hit and miss campaign but were very good when defeating Hendon last weekend. The sides have met before- a Cup win for Invicta just over two years ago.