BENFLEET will be looking to break back into the Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three promotion places when they go head-to-head with Westcliff today.

A narrow defeat to champions-elect Old Brentwoods last time out saw Woodford Green move into second place and Benfleet drop to third in the standings.

But Benfleet skipper Rob Zammit, whose side enjoyed a seven match winning run before the loss to the table-toppers, is eager to get back to winning ways.

Zammit said: “There are five games left and, ideally, we would like to win all five because that would give us a really good chance of winning promotion.

“It’s important that we get back to winning ways as quickly as possible, but we know that Westcliff will be tough to beat.

“They have some really good players and we drew with them earlier in the season, so we know we will need to be at our best to win.

“Westcliff are always really strong and I’m sure it will be no different.”

Benfleet go into the clash just three points adrift of second-placed Woodford Green.

But Westcliff captain Peter Barnes insists his side make the trip to Woodside Park full of confidence having beaten Basildon & Pitsea last time out.

Barnes said: “You have to go into every game with confidence.

“Benfleet are having a fairly good season, but we have had quite a lot of wins against them over the last few years.

“With our strongest side out, we are capable of beating anyone in the division.”

Elsewhere, Basildon & Pitsea - who have struggled for form all season - welcome Stanford le Hope to Mopsies Park.

However, Stanford le Hope are also looking for an upturn in fortunes having lost four of their last five fixtures.

There is also a local derby in the Premier Division, as Hadleigh & Thundersley make the short trip to Billericay.

Both teams lost last weekend, but Hadleigh press officer David Williams said: “After running last year’s national champions Wanstead close, everyone is looking forward to this fixture.

“It’s getting close to the end of the season and there are some crucial matches coming up.

“We have given ourselves a great chance of staying up with some good wins against Brentwood, Chingford and Ilford.

“We now have to back them wins up with some performances against teams around us down the bottom of the table.”

Bottom-of-the-table Southend & EMT travel to Wanstead & Snaresbrook.