RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW SATURDAY 14th APRIL 2012

welshwatcher Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:29 pm

ELY CITY V BRANTHAM ATHLETIC
Today could be the day the destination of the League title is decided. Both these sides must win if they are to have an outside chances of catching the leaders, although that might also be decided at Trafford Park where Wroxham must lose to give these any hope. Realistically it is the battle for runners up spot although again Wisbech are still in that hunt, Ely have the second best home record in the league while Brantham have the second best away record. Second placed Ely have lost three on the trot and the last two home games while their visitors have lost just one of their last five. This has to be Match of the Day.

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED V WISBECH TOWN
Realistically The Fenmen have to win their last four games if they are to catch either the second or third placed teams and they host Wroxham on Tuesday night and have yet to travel to Brantham where they finish their season in a fortnight so this is a massive match for them. The reverse fixture a fortnight ago ended all square and goal-less and the big question for the Seasiders now any threat of relegation has been removed, is can they get the motivation required to end the season well. Unless they pick up points they could finish one place outside the relegation zone which will be a huge disappointment for them so both have plenty to play for.

GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN VV MILDENHALL TOWN
The hosts are playing for pride, the visitors to finish in the top ten and as high a position as possible. The Bloaters have conceded goals at a staggering 3.68 per game over the season and currently on a 12 match losing run, their best hope of a second victory of the season may come in their last game rather than this one when they play fellow relegated side Newmarket at The Wellesley in a fortnight. The ‘Hall have struggled recently and are without a win in four games, they could only manage a draw at Newmarket on Monday and will not want a repeat here. The reverse fixture back in October ended as a 4-1 home win.

KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD V DISS TOWN
The Royals are enjoying a good end of season with three wins and a draw from their last four games with the wins coming against sides struggling at the wrong end of the table with them and they have confirmed Premier Division football for them next season. Diss are also enjoying a good run with just one defeat in the last ten and seven wins in that run has lifted them into a respectable mid table position so they will consider this a successful return to The Premier Division this season. A strong finish in their final three games for either side could lift them several places in the table so this will be no dour end of season fare.

NORWICH UNITED V FC CLACTON
The home side will be looking for a top five finish at best and need three points from this fixture to give them any chance of achieving that goal while hoping others slip up. They have slipped from fourth to seventh in recent weeks with just two wins from their last six games. Their visitors will be glad to see the back of this season and they travel north on the back of seven straight defeats that has seen 20 goals conceded and just three scored leaving them within catching distance of the three sides below them. The big question will be can either side produce enough quality to show this is more than just an end of season affair.

STANWAY ROVERS V GORLESTON
The best Stanway can hope for is a fourth place finish but had they been offered that at the beginning of the season they may well have taken it but now they may consider it a disappointment. They are currently on a three match winning run and have lost just once in their last seven. They did have an excellent eleven match unbeaten run earlier in the season that sparked their season. Their visitors will be happy with their season overall on their return to The Premier Division although probably disappointed with some of their results. They will finish in mid-table and with five games (more than any other sides) still left could finish much higher.

WIVENHOE TOWN V CRC
The Dragons may well be more interested in what is happening at Trafford Park that at Broad Lane as promotion for The Yachtsmen would see them avoid the drop into Division One. They have surprised a few sides along the way this season but 23 defeats in 38 games tells its own story. They say league tables don’t lie and they have shown they are better than the bottom two but have struggled against the sides above them. They may find this another difficult afternoon against a side that likes to get the ball down and play. 6th placed CRC haven’t played for 17 days so will be eager to get on the pitch and try and improve their league standing.

WOODBRIDGE TOWN V DEREHAM TOWN
After seven wins in their opening eight games The Magpies would have had aspirations of making a serious title challenge but they haven’t been able to maintain that momentum and now sit just above mid table. They lost both Easter games and will be trying to make sure it is not three in a row. If The Woodpeckers can record their fifth win in six games they will climb above their hosts into eighth place and have a game in hand so both have much to play for here. The Aldiss Park surface will suit the visitors who are currently in good form with that single defeat coming against Wroxham who also beat the hosts on Monday at Aldiss Park.

WROXHAM V HAVERHILL ROVERS
Champions elect, Champions confirmed, it could be the latter at 4.45 on Saturday if they collect three points from this game and other results go their way. All The Yachtsmen can do is win their games and they will be champions. One defeat in twelve speaks for itself and when the big games gave come around they have not shown wanting. Rovers have had a poor recent run without a win in six, they lost the reverse fixture narrowly back in January but will not need motivating for this game. Anyone who can take Wroxham’s scalp will have excellent bragging rights but it’s difficult to see anything but another home win on their march to promotion.