Runaway league leaders Felixstowe & Walton recorded their biggest win of the season as they hit basement club Wivenhoe Town for eight on Wednesday to make it 21 wins from their 22 games played.

This weekend however, they face a far tougher test when they travel to Brantham Athletic, with both sides having convincing victories against the other already this season, writes Phil Griffiths.

The home side scored seven goals at the Goldstar ground on the opening day of the season in an FA Cup game but then shipped five goals at the same venue in the league in mid-September.

The Blue Imps suffered a surprise defeat at Ely last Saturday, only their second since that September loss but bounced back in midweek with a 2-1 win over Hadleigh United.

They sit in fourth spot, three points behind second-placed Stowmarket, but with two games in hand.

The Seasiders became the highest scoring side nationally at step 5 with their 8-0 demolition of basement side Wivenhoe on Wednesday, when Scott Chaplin rattled in four goals, and this game marks the halfway point of the season for them.

Should they go into the second half of the season with just the one defeat, they will feel they are on track for their first league title in over half a century.

They currently head the table with what looks an insurmountable lead of 21 points, but joint managers Kevin O’Donnell and Ian Watson know how quickly things can change with a couple of slip ups.

They are certainly in control of their own destiny, but Matt Carmichael and Brantham joint manager Michael Brothers will have their side fully focused for this game, knowing three points will keep them right in the hunt and be a major confidence boost for them.

Brothers was on target for his side in Tuesday night’s win at the leisure centre, where they have lost just once this season, along with Jack Smith, while Josh Kerridge and Craig Jennings scored a brace apiece for the Seasiders at Wivenhoe the next evening.