Robins, Wands and Hornets all focus on Cup glory- and we’ve a top two battle in the league

Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round

Carshalton Athletic head to take on National League South side Boreham Wood. The hosts, currently occupying the final Play Off place in their division, are in good form- having won their last four in league and cup- whilst the Robins will hope to quickly recapture the form which had seen them six unbeaten before defeat at Hadley in the FA Trophy last weekend. Only once have the Robins reached the First Round this century- but they’ll be confident that they can repeat that feat. 

Cray Wanderers bring National League South side Tonbridge Angels to Flamingo Park. Wands are four unbeaten at home and defeated Hastings United three-nil in the last round, but face a challenge as their visitors have lost only once all season. That said, that defeat did come in their last match, so perhaps Wands can start them on a losing streak! 

Wands have never before reached the First Round, and this is only the second time they’ve reached this stage, but they won’t want their Cup adventure to stop just yet. 

We know we’ll have at least one Pitching In Isthmian club in the First Round as our next Fourth Qualifying Round tie features two of them, as Horsham welcome North Division Gorleston. The Hornets will be familiar with the pressure that comes with FA Cup success as they reached the Second Round last season, but they won’t be used to being the favourites at this stage of the competition, and favourites they are. They are four unbeaten in all competitions. The travelling Greens defeated National League South opposition in the last round, so will head to Sussex with no fear, and they’ve left their best performances for the Cup. 

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

Leaders Lewes have more wins than anyone else, whilst second place Billericay Town are our only unbeaten club- and with only one point between the two their meeting at the Dripping Pan could even see our top spot change hands. The Rooks are unbeaten at home, and hit six last Saturday as they defeated Bracknell Town in the FA Trophy; whilst the travelling Blues won their last two league matches four-nil, the latest of those victories coming against Dartford in midweek. Since Billericay returned to us they’ve been very good against the Rooks, unbeaten in four and winning three- including both of last season’s encounters, which they won eight-nil on aggregate.

Dover Athletic are also in Sussex, and could climb to second place if they can win at Whitehawk. Athletic defeated some Sussex seasiders- Bognor Regis Town- in midweek, and have been better on the road than on their own patch so far this season, unbeaten on their travels. The Hawks, conversely, have been better at home than on the road, winning three of their four matches at the Enclosed Ground- and indeed have won their last four at home in all competitions.

Potters Bar Town’s hammering by Dover on opening day seems a lifetime away, as the Scholars- despite not being able to play at their own ground as improvement works continue- have charged up to fourth place. They’ve won three of their last four, but have been better at their temporary home of Kings Langley than on the road, which might give opponents and hosts Cheshunt some hope. The Ambers find themselves second from bottom and having lost their last four in all competitions. They are without a win on their own patch since the opening day of the campaign. 

Fifth place Hendon make a trip around the M25 (other routes are available) to Dartford. The Greens are looking for a third win in a row- but had struggled on the road prior to last Saturday’s hammering of Bedford Town. The Darts, in contrast, have lost four in a row, indeed five of their last six, and will be rather determined to stop the rot. 

Cray Valley PM find themselves outside the top five only on goal difference. The Millers are ahead of their visitors, Chichester City, only on goal difference- both sets of Greens having established themselves quickly in our top flight after promotion from the South East Division last season. Cray Valley were part of a crazy match at Canvey in midweek, a four-all draw, whilst City are five unbeaten in the League, but did depart the County Cup against Horsham in midweek. The last seven meetings between the sides sees the Millers three-two ahead in terms of victories, and they picked up four points from their meetings last season. 

Seventh place Dulwich Hamlet will want to get back into the top five, and to hold onto their unbeaten home record. Hastings United are their visitors, the Sussex side looking for a third win in a row after wins against Chatham Town and Leatherhead in their last two. The visitors took four points from Hamlet last season, including victory at Champion Hill.

Folkestone Invicta have had a rather inconsistent campaign so far, but were anything but inconsistent when hitting Ascot United for eight in the FA Trophy last weekend, and will want to build on that as Hashtag United come to call, four places and two points between the sides at kick off. The Tags have also had rather an inconsistent campaign, but also won- although far less convincingly- in the Trophy last weekend, and they did take four points from Invicta last season, including a win on the Kent coast.

Bognor Regis Town will hope to get back to winning ways as they welcome Canvey Island. The Rocks have played their last four matches in all competitions on the road, and lost three of them, the latest defeat in Dover in midweek. The Gulls are on a good run, with only one defeat- in the Cup- from their last five, and have actually been better on the road than on their own patch, winning three of their last four on their travels. The Rocks took four points from the meetings between the sides last season.