Ridgeons League preview

Ridgeons League match-by-match preview compiled by Phil Griffiths

WROXHAM travel to South Yorkshire for their delayed fourth round FA Vase game but other than that it should be back to a full Ridgeons League Premier Division programme.

Debenham LC (9th) v Mildenhall Town (6th)

DEBENHAM have lost their last two at home while their visitors have won their last two away and are on a four match winning run. The reverse fixture saw the Hornets win at Rec'way in Mid November but that was the last time Mildenhall dropped a point so they will be looking to revenge that defeat by taking the points at Maitlands.

Dereham Town (10th) v Woodbridge Town (19th)

THE Magpies have had an inconsistent first half of the season and will be looking for a better second half, they have lost just once in their last six games and have not lost at Aldiss Park since October. The Woodpeckers win at Dellwood Avenue recently ended a 15-match losing run but they will do well to take anything home from this trip.

Hadleigh United (13th) v Ely City (17th)

THE home side won last time out but that was almost a month ago when they beat bottom of the table Harwich, it was their first win in seven after picking up just three points from 18 in a two month period and they will be looking to improve their home record which shows six defeats so far. The Robins were the only side to stage a league game last week but failed to collect any points as they went down at home to third place Leiston. They have just one win on the road and that was back in August so will do well to take anything from this game.

Harwich & Parkeston (21st) v CRC (1st)

THE form book says banker away win, the home side have just one point from nine games at The Royal Oak and last scored on home soil back in September while the current league leaders have lost just once away from The Abbey Stadium. They have scored 38 times on the road and have the league's second top scorer in their ranks with Adam Marriott already recording two hat-tricks this season and five goals in his last five games. The Shrimpers will certainly do well to pull off any shocks here.

Haverhill Rovers (15th) v Stanway Rovers (4th)

ROVERS have been inconsistent home and away this season but go into this game having drawn the reverse fixture at the Hawthorns 0-0 and beaten their visitors 3-2 in the League Cup, so they will be looking forward to this game. Stanway have games in hand over the two sides above them and could move into third if they win them, they have the League's leading scorer in their ranks and have hit twenty four goals on the road so they too will be looking forward to this game which must be a contender for 'Match of the Day'

Histon Res (16th) v Needham Market (2nd)

HISTON are the division's enigma as they field varying strength sides depending on what is happening in the Blue Square Premier, but this will not worry their visitors. The Marketmen are focused on what they have to do, knowing they cannot afford too many slips with CRC in pole position at present. The title chase is almost a two club race and Danny Laws will not want to open the door to those just below his side.

Leiston (3rd) v Newmarket Town (14th)

THE home side travelled to Ely last week in the league's only fixture and collected their first win in six to end a disastrous two months in their chase for honours. This is the first of three consecutive home games at Victory Road and wins from all three will keep them on the heels of the top two. Newmarket collected an excellent League Cup quarter final win at Hadleigh in midweek and will not fear this trip despite the 11 place difference between the two, they have hit 16 goals on the road so far but conceded 22.

Norwich United (18th) v Wivenhoe Town (20th)

NORWICH, although well clear points wise, are just above the drop zone having struggled to find a consistent winning formula this season. They have won just twice at Plantation Park but will see this game as an opportunity to extend that record against struggling Wivenhoe. The visitors have not won, drawn or scored a goal away from home this season and they may well struggle to improve that record here.

Walsham-le-Willows (12th) v Felixstowe & Walton (7th)

THE Willows have become a solid mid-table side who are always difficult to beat and almost snatched a late draw in the reverse fixture. The visitors have been busy in the transfer market during the enforced lay off due to the weather with four new faces in the squad who should be available for this game. With the possibility of seeing their last home defeat replayed The Seasiders should need no incentive to go for the points here.

Wisbech Town (11th) v Kirkley & Pakefield (5th)

THE King's Lynn saga has taken its toll with manager Gary Setchell leaving to join the new consortium and the Fenmen will need to regroup for the second half of the campaign which has been steady so far, they have a decent home record and will make this a difficult encounter for the visitors. The Royals were left shattered last week when three goals at Bloomfields weren't enough to give them a passage into the latter stages of the FA Vase. They did gain some consolation midweek with a 4-1 League Cup win at Mildenhall but know they must now concentrate on collecting League points if they are to make an impression on the top four sides.