By Jack Staplehurst

 

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Hullbridge Sports will be looking to take full advantage of what appears to be a straightforward game when they host bottom side Sporting Bengal United.

Sports lost 2-1 in midweek at Clapton and will be hoping to put the score right against a side seven points adrift at the bottom and coming into the game on the back of a seven game losing streak.

Southend Manor are in for a tough task with a tricky visit from sixth-placed Clapton. However, the Seasiders can take encouragement from the fact Clapton have struggled on the road of late.

Following three defeats in three away games, of which one was at Sporting Bengal, Manor couldn’t be playing them at a better time.

Without a win themselves since October, it will be some ask for Manor to end their barren spell, especially after they shipped in eight goals in their last fixture at Waltham Forest last time out.

Bowers & Pitsea travel to Takeley. The visitors have been plagued by postponements this season and have currently played five games less than their 12th-placed opponents. The reverse fixture was called off earlier in the month, and Bowers will welcome back Ross Adams from suspension. Neil Marron will miss the match after injuring a knee in training.

Basildon United could shoot up two places to 12th with a win at 10th-placed Stansted.

Basildon boss Craig Gillam said that goalkeeper Russell Harley and Terry Griffiths are both out of the game at the weekend but captain Taylor Sinfield will return to the side follow his recent absence.