Saturday January 10
FIRST DIVISION
Banstead Athletic v AFC Greenwich Borough
Chessington & Hook v Bridon Ropes
Croydon v Lydd Town
Halls AFC v SE Dons
Lewisham Borough v Greenways
Rochester United v Welling Town
SC Thamesmead v Staplehurst Monarchs
Storm Goretti is also looming large over the First Division, and with every game scheduled for grass, there’s a very real chance Saturday ends up being a washout. Still, assuming football does break out…
There’s a big test for the pacesetters as leaders SE Dons head to Dartford to face Halls AFC. The Dons are unbeaten in 13 league matches, but Halls are hardly rolling out the red carpet – six wins from their last seven suggests this could be a proper statement game, if the pitch at Dartford allows it.
Rochester United, sitting second, host Welling Town and will take confidence from the reverse fixture, where they ran out 5–0 winners. Welling hover just a place above the drop zone and could do without a repeat, while Rochester know three points would keep the pressure firmly on the leaders.
At Banstead, AFC Greenwich Borough are still trying to build momentum after a stop-start month. They’ve only played twice in that time – but won both emphatically, 7–0 and 5–0. If their trip to Banstead Athletic survives the weather, it’s third against third-bottom, with plenty riding on it for both.
Down at the foot of the table, Chessington & Hook are still searching for a first home win of the season. They welcome a Bridon Ropes side in transition after recently parting company with their manager, making this a huge afternoon for both clubs.
There’s a long journey ahead for Lydd Town, who travel to Croydon desperate for points as the second-bottom side in the division. Croydon, meanwhile, are on a four-game losing run and watching their play-off ambitions drift further out of sight. Both teams can’t lose.
Greenways steadied themselves with a welcome win last week and now visit Lewisham Borough, who are winless in six and in need of a spark. Meanwhile, Staplehurst Monarchs arrive at SC Thamesmead in red-hot form, having won three on the bounce. Thamesmead’s own recent revival has dragged them clear of the danger zone, setting up what could be a sneaky-good contest.
Of course, Storm Goretti may yet wipe the slate clean. But if the weather relents, there’s no shortage of storylines waiting in the First Division. Just don’t bet the house on all eight making kick-off.