THE MATCH: Canvey Island travel to play-off hopefuls Hertford Town hoping a two-week break won’t affect their sharpness.

The Gulls haven’t played a competitive match since October 21, with other clubs cup commitments meaning they have had to play the waiting game.

However, Danny Heale’s men are the form side in the Isthmian North. Nine wins from the last 10 has seen them climb to second in the division, with a game in hand on the leaders Dereham Town.

Hertford were promoted from the Spartan South Midlands League last season and have been impressive so far this term.

Seventh in the table, their weakness lies at the back with 32 goals leaked in 14 games - only Tilbury and Norwich United have a more porous defence.

THE INSIGHT: “It does seem a while since we last played and the break came at a bad time for us,” said Heale. “We have managed to get a few boys back to full fitness though so it hasn’t been all bad, in honesty.

“It has been going well but we need to keep our feet on the ground.

“I saw Hertford play Heybridge and they lost 6-0 but Heybridge are on fire. Hertford have some suspensions to contend with but they try to play and they don’t have too dissimilar a set-up to ours.

“We have firepower and we know they concede goals so that is an area we will look to exploit.

“The league is a hugely exciting one this year so we know we have to keep going. Heybridge have plenty of games in hand and there are others we have to play twice as well.

“There will be plenty and twists and turns before the end of the season, I am sure of that.”

THE TEAM NEWS: Canvey have signed goalkeeper Ashlee Jones on a permanent basis, after Wycombe loan stopper Henry Newcombe injured his ankle ligaments.

Ryan Melaugh joins from Tilbury, James Walker and Jerrome Sobers are available.