THERE is no doubting the match of the day in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division as first faces second this afternoon.

Leaders Mildenhall entertain second-placed Wisbech Town, who are six points behind with a match in hand, at Recreation Way.

After seven wins in their last eight league games Mildenhall are entitled to enter the match in confident mood.

Manager Christian Appleford said: “We are always confident because I know we have a group of players who, on their day, are good enough to beat anyone in the league.

“It is all about getting our consistency right and applying ourselves and that has shown in our results this season.

“We will approach the game in exactly the same way and go out to try to win it, although sometimes that can cost us, but most of the time it doesn’t.”

Wisbech booked their place in the last 64 of the FA Vase thanks to a 2-1 win in their second-round proper replay against St Ives Town on Tuesday night.

But Appleford said that win could work either way so far as today’s match is concerned.

“It is a Catch 22 situation – it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Their match sharpness should be there from midweek as you can’t beat playing in games, but if they lose they could put it down to tiredness from their Vase exploits.

“We just have to make sure we turn up and play to our potential, which is key for us, and have the right attitude,” said Appleford.

Mildenhall striker Andrew Wood scored a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season when Mildenhall incredibly won 9-0 as Wisbech had three men sent off.

Wood finished the season as the league’s leading scorer and is already top of the Premier Division scoring charts with 13 goals this time around.

He had been playing on the left wing for Thetford Town in Division One when Mildenhall signed him.

Appleford said: “He was the perfect foil for John Sands (who is now with Bury Town) when he was with us, supplying Sands and also scoring a handful of goals.

“Since Sands left he has become the main man and puts the finishing touches to everything.”

His potential strike partner today is Steve Holder, who was last season’s players’ player and supporters’ player of the year, and has started two of the last three matches after returning to action following a knee operation.

Carl Murkin is expected to return to the Mildenhall squad after missing last Saturday’s 3-0 win at FC Clacton and Daniel Hitching, who is on a dual registration from Ryman Premier side Bury Town, should be available while Adrian Judge is in contention after an injury to the back of his knee.