Weekend Ridgeons Premier preview

WROXHAM entertain Armthorpe Colliery hoping to join Needham Market in the 5th Round of the FA Vase, otherwise it is a full league programme in the Ridgeons Premier with several vital games in the list!

CRC 1st v WALSHAM Le WILLOWS 14th

The College Youngster's look poised to run away with the league after their 3 - 0 midweek win over Ely, it used up their game in hand over Needham but extended their lead to 7 points with 9 of their remaining fixtures at The Abbey Stadium. Paul Smith has had a wretched week with his side losing twice in 5 days at Summer Road and dropping to 14th, but Smith was always a fierce competitor as a player and will see this game as a real challenge. Walsham are the only side to take three points off CRC this season and those just below the leaders will certainly hope they can make it a notable double.

ELY CITY 17th v HISTON RES. 16th

Although without a win since early December, the Robins will be looking to end that sequence here, they have drawn 3 of their last 5 games and have a respectable home record. Histon have had some traumatic times recently off the pitch and have not played for a month so the home side will hope to capitalise on their lack of match practice.

HADLEIGH UNITED 11th v NEWMARKET TOWN 15th

Since taking over the reins as manager Peter Grant has made Hadleigh a solid mid-table side, although they dropped 2 points in midweek at Wivenhoe. Newmarket have lost their last three and have won just twice on the road. Both will see this as an opportunity to pick up points with the Brettsiders looking for their first win at The Millfield since October.

HARWICH & PARKESTON 21st v DEBENHAM LC 10th

The Shrimpers fate looks sealed this season with just one point from a possible 66 and their visitors will certainly see this as a winnable game to keep them in the league's top ten. Knowing their fate may shake off the home sides nerves and they could produce some shocks before the season is over. Mel Aldiss won't want it to be his side on the receiving end of any shock and with four wins on the road already will go to the Royal Oak with confidence.

KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 5th v HAVERHILL ROVERS 13th

The home side are playing catch up and used up one of their games in hand on Wednesday with a 4-0 win at Summer Road to move into 5th place. They know they cannot afford any slips if they are to make an impression on one of the top four slots and will be looking to extend their winning run to four here. They both meet again at Hamlet Croft next Saturday, Rovers, who are having a steady season have not lost in 2010 and would be happy to maintain that record at Walmer Road.

LEISTON 3rd v STANWAY ROVERS 4th

This is one of three contenders for 'Match of the Day' as it could be a pivotal point in Rovers season. They have 3 games in hand over the home side but are 10 points adrift, defeat here may leave them to much ground to make up and open the door for those just below. Leiston know they have to win to keep in touch with the two above them and appear to have got over their min-slump with wins from their last two games to put them just three points behind Needham Market.

MILDENHALL 6th v 7th FELIXSTOWE & WALTON 7th

This is the second 'Match of the Day' contender with The 'Hall currently on a five match winning run which they will want to maintain against an improving Seasiders. The sides have yet to meet this season while last year the visitors won home and away in the league but were thrashed at RecWay in the FA Cup. An away win for Glenn Drivers side would cancel out one of the home side's games in hand while victory for Simon Charlton's team will see a gap open between them.

NEEDHAM MARKET 2nd v DEREHAM TOWN 8th

The third contender for 'Match of the Day' must be this game. The Marketmen have to win their games to stay in touch with CRC while The Magpies sit just below the top six and know a good result could push them right up behind those just above them. Needham have lost just once since August, that against the leaders, while their visitors have lost just once in their last seven so will not fear this trip to Bloomfields.

WIVENHOE TOWN 20th v WISBECH TOWN 12th

The Dragons earned a midweek draw at home to Hadleigh, it ended goal-less which was the 15th time this season they have failed to find the opposition net, but it could prove a vital point in their battle to stay up. The Fenmen, having lost their last two and their manager recently with Gary Setchell moving to the newly formed Lynn FC, will see this match as an opportunity to show what they can do to any prospective boss, they have won on the road three times already this season and three points could move them into a top ten place.

WOODBRIDGE TOWN 19th v NORWICH UNITED 18th

Only one place separates these sides but there is a massive 15 point gap between the two. With relegation a very real threat to the Woodpeckers they must start picking up home points which to date has proved a fruitless search in twelve attempts. The Planters ended a four match losing run with a win at fellow strugglers Wivenhoe last week and several of their defeats have been by a single goal margin, so they will feel they have the ammunition to drive another nail in the Woodbridge relegation box.