RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW SATURDAY 31st DECEMBER 2011

welshwatcher Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:03 pm

Out with the old, in with the new.
Happy New Year to all

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC V WALSHAM Le WILLOWS
It’s debatable which of these two has the greater need for a result. The home side will definitely go into the New Year in second place whatever the outcome but could stretch their lead to remain clear in second place depending on other results. The Willows could get out of the bottom three with Wivenhoe just two points ahead of them but idle this afternoon, but they would need all three points against their in-form hosts and that will be a huge task as they go into the game with just one win from their last six and two in the last 14.

FC CLACTON V CRC
It’s an average home record against an excellent away one but a win for The Seasiders would see them climb above the Scholars and still have three games in hand. The visitors have been beaten just twice in 11 games on the road and have a healthy goal difference while the home side have lost five times at The Bowl with a single goal difference. Clacton shared the points on Boxing Day with the second placed side and will want to preserve their unbeaten tag in December as will CRC although it is now 17 days since they last played and that could go either way for them.

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED V KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD
Both these shared the spoils on Boxing Day against sides well above them in the table so both will go into the game in good spirits feeling there is something in the game for them. The Seasiders are up amongst the leaders in the form table with just one defeat and six goals conceded since October while the Royals are unbeaten in their last three including an excellent draw against the fourth placed side last time out. The hosts have struggled at home this season and an away win would see the two change places although the home side have four games in hand.

GT YARMOUTH TOWN V WOODBRIDGE TOWN
While any sort of result would be good for the home side they are fighting a much bigger battle off the pitch as they struggle to survive as a club. Already looking condemned to relegation should they survive, they found a battling spirit on Monday as they shared the points with their local rivals. Woodbridge also shared the points in a local derby and will have every sympathy with the host’s off-field problems but it is unlikely to affect their approach to this game. An away win could lift the Woodpeckers into the top ten while three home points would certainly lift the spirits but little else.

NEWMARKET TOWN V HADLEIGH UNITED
Two draws and a win in December have given The Jockey’s a sight of those above them and if they could pull off a result here they could catch one or both of those immediately above them. Those positive results are surrounded by eight defeats in their last 11 games and a -44 goal difference so they are still in deep trouble. Their visitors had Christmas off so will be eager for the fray and they have lost two of the last three so will see this and the game on Monday as an opportunity to get back on track. A six point Bank Holiday break would put them right back in mid-table and in touch with the top ten.

WROXHAM V WISBECH TOWN
There is every chance Wroxham could collect their highest attendance of the season here for what could be a bruising encounter. The Fenmen will be smarting from their Boxing Day defeat at Ely and have now lost three of their last four and can’t afford many more slips if they are to be challenging come May. The Yachtsmen have now gone ten unbeaten and have rattled up big wins against sides who might have felt they had a chance. Just two points dropped from a possible 24 speaks for itself and they will want to see the old year out on a high note against potential title rivals.