GREAT Wakering Rovers can regain top spot in the Essex Senior League if they avoid defeat at Sawbridgeworth Town tonight.

Iain O’Connell’s men play their game in hand on leaders FC Romania this evening bidding to leapfrog their title rivals with just nine games of the season to go.

Postponed from earlier in the season, Sawbridgeworth are currently 11th in the standings.

But O’Connell is wary of the threat they pose to Wakering.

“It is important we keep winning and continue this momentum,” he said. “We have lost Ollie Woodhouse (as he goes travelling) and that is a big loss as he has been superb.

“Sawbridgeworth will be a tough game but we will be ready.”

Hullbridge Sports will be looking to get over their mauling at the hands of FC Romania on Saturday against Ilford this evening.

Despite an impressive first 45 minutes at the weekend, Sports conceded five second half goals to fall to defeat.

And boss Darren Manning says he expects more against seventh-placed Ilford as his team look to extricate themselves from the bottom three.

“It has been a tough week,” he said. “The performance against Takeley was a disgrace, the first half against Romania was superb but then fatigue set it.

“We are down to the bare bones but that is no excuse.”

Basildon United will look to get one over on their title challengers Takeley when they visit in the Errington League Cup quarter-final.