THE MATCH: Canvey Island travel to Witham looking to put a disastrous weekend in the FA Trophy behind them.

The Gulls were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Walton Casuals but have been hugely impressive in the league. Unbeaten in the last nine and with 22 points from the last 24 on offer, Canvey are the team to beat in the Isthmian North.

Witham have chalked up just two victories so far this term, but have also knocked Canvey out of the FA Cup.

Top of the standings - two points ahead of Hornchurch who have three games in hand - the Gulls will be aiming to keep up the pace.

THE INSIGHT: "It has been an excellent start in the league," said assistant manager Joe Keith. "We didnt want to lose last week but it is a big reminder that if we don't approach games in the right way then we can get beat.

"We lost to Witham in the FA Cup early in the season and we need to focus if we are to be successful in this match.

"There is a level of expectation on us this year and teams will try and grind out results against us. At the start of the season we had the hangover from last year but now we are up and running and have to keep it going.

"In regard to last week's defeat at Walton Casuals, we lost to the better team. We didn't perform on the day, after a bright start. But we never capitalised on that. They scored on half-time and once we were chasing it we were picked off. I have no complaints."

THE TEAM NEWS: Goalkeeper Conor Gough is the only absentee.