RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2012

welshwatcher Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:18 pm

Hopefully the sun I see shining through my window as I write means we are finally back in action at the weeked (well some of us)

It seems odd after a fortnight’s enforced break but there is a reduced fixture list on the resumption with two sides idle. Gorleston and Norwich City meet at Emerald Park in The Norfolk Senior Cup. Wroxham have a local derby at Trafford Park, hosting Norwich United in The League Cup Semi-Final while Diss Town plus Kirkley & Pakefield twiddle their thumbs for the third successive Saturday.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC V DEREHAM TOWN
It’s a tough match for the 2nd placed home side to restart the season following the enforced break, a home win would see them sitting top of the table on Saturday evening, albeit having played two more games than the current leaders who are in cup action. They were in good form before the break and go into this game on the back of four straight wins. Their visitors are also in good form, sitting two places and 5 points behind them, although their away record is not sparkling having lost more than they have won but they are not a side to be underestimated and capable of beating anyone on their day.

CRC V WALSHAM Le WILLOWS
The Scholars sit in 5th place but have dropped 18 points at The Abbey Stadium this year so don’t always get the advantage of playing on an excellent surface as everyone looks forward to their visit into the University City. Their visitors have found some form since Christmas and have lost just once in their last six and include the leaders scalp in that run which has brought three wins & two draws. They will be up for this challenge but CRC are not in a false position, they have won 14 times in 28 games and Walsham’s style will suit them as both like to get the ball down and play.

ELY CITY V FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED
The Robins will remain in third place whatever happens on Saturday but they can close to within three points of the current leaders with a 12th win from 15 home games. They have yet to lose on home soil this season and won the reverse fixture back in October. The Seasiders travel on the back of a decent mini-run that has seen them share the points with two of the sides in contention and a crushing win over the basement club. The Unwin Ground has always been a tough place to gain any reward even more so this season but the visitors will be eager for the challenge.

GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN V WISBECH TOWN
18 defeats with four draws scattered amongst them since their only win of the season and 61 goals conceded on The Wellesley makes frightening reading added to their off field problems. While almost certainly consigned to First Division football next season all The Bloaters can do is keep plugging away and hope they have a bit of luck somewhere. While their visitors may well sympathise with the off field problems they will want to get back on track having lost five of their last seven and will see this as a an opportunity to improve their record all round. They have a decent record on the road having won eight times to date so it is hard to see anything other than an away win here.

HADLEIGH UNITED V STANWAY ROVERS
This must be main contender for Match of the Day, just two points and two places separate them at start of play, the advantage being with the visitors who also have two games in hand. The home side have lost just one of their last six but don’t have an impressive home record and they have found goals hard to come by in recent games. The visitor’s away record is similar to The Brettsiders home but with a much better goal difference. They have lost and won three each of their last six games in a sequenced order and won last time out. This could be a very tight affair.

HAVERHILL ROVERS V FC CLACTON
Rovers have won three of their last four taking some decent scalps in that run and only losing to the current league leaders so they are showing decent form. The visitors have a four point and a two game advantage over the home side and have lost just two of their last seven fixtures so they will travel looking to gain something from the game. Their record on the road is good having won seven of their 11 away day trips while their hosts have also won seven times at The New Croft from 14 games played.

MILDENHALL TOWN V WOODBRIDGE TOWN
These two sit next to each other in the top half of the table, the home side have one point advantage while The Woodpeckers have a game in hand. The visitor’s record on the road has the slight edge on The ‘Halls record at Rec’Way. Mildenhall have picked up just two wins from five since the turn of the year while the visitors have won their last two away days’ . Lots of facts and figures but on Saturday it will be about who hits the ground running after the enforced break. Another tight affair looks on the cards and both might have to settle for a share of the spoils.

NEWMARKET TOWN V WIVENHOE TOWN
The Jockeys are almost cut adrift in the relegation zone needing at least four wins while others lose to get back in touch with the side in 18th place, a task which looks beyond them at present. Their visitors are also in the relegation zone but they are in touch with those above them with just five points separating them from the side in 16th place, they are unbeaten in their last three so they have plenty to play for. The home side have lost all five games since Boxing Day and have won just twice in 15 games at Cricket Field Road although The Dragons have won just once away from Broad Lane to date.