Whitehawk’s eight-game unbeaten run was extinguished last Saturday as Hornchurch rolled into town, and moved away with an emphatic 4-0 win to all-but confirm their promotion status.

The Hawks would have had a chance for a swift riposte on Tuesday evening, but the rain once again got in the way as Shaun Saunders can enjoy a week’s rest, though one more postponement will see his side forced to play on a forthcoming Thursday night.

Thankfully, Saunders’ side are fairly comfortable in the division, and so too are tomorrow’s opponents in Canvey Island. 12 points clear with a few games left, they should be absolutely fine for Isthmian Premier football next season, too.

Team News

Joey Taylor and Imran Kayani have missed the recent few fixtures due to international duty, but both could return to the fold on Saturday.

Lloyd Dawes will be assessed before Saturday’s clash after hobbling off on his own accord last week in Bognor Regis, having just returned from a lengthy lay-off.

Shaun Saunders admitted following last Saturday’s defeat that his side had been plagued by recent injuries, but the week’s rest should have eased the pressure on the manager ahead of the Easter weekend.

The Opposition

Sitting in 17th but rather safe from relegation, Canvey Island finished 3rd in Isthmian Premier last season but this time around has been a little underwhelming.

Still, safety is all one can hope for at this stage, and the division is a difficult one. They were on for a mid-table finish until the recent run of form has left them dangling above the relegation zone, with their last win arriving on February 10.

Brad Wellmen’s side journey down to East Brighton in search of a first win at The Enclosed Ground, but they’ll need a change in momemtum to achieve this.

One to Watch | Bradley Sach

15 goals in all competitions for Sach, he’s been the brightest spark in an otherwise underfiring attacking line, though his side’s defence have been the main concern this campaign.

Previosuly of Boreham Wood, Potters Bar Town, Aveley, Bowers & Pitsea, Sach joined from the latter in 2022, scoring some important goals in the latter half of the 2021/22 season to help the Gulls win promotion to the Isthmian Premier.

Recent Form | DLLLD

2/3 | Lewes (A) | Drew 2-2

9/3 | Wingate & Finchley (H) | Lost 2-0

16/3 | Folkestone Invicta (A) | Lost 1-0

19/3 | Horsham (H) | Lost 2-1

23/3 | Hashtag United (H) | Drew 2-2

Previous Meetings

The two sides last faced off at the Movie Starr Stadium early on in the season with the sun shining hard. After going a goal down early on, Dominic Johnson-Fisher brilliance levelled the scores, before a late flick from Charlie Walker sealed a precious 2-1 win.

Prior to that, the two clubs met in the 2012/13 campaign, with the Hawks claiming a brilliant 5-4 win at The Enclosed Ground – the last meeting at home – while earning another 2-1 win on the road.

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to The Enclosed Ground for Saturday’s Easter weekend clash, then you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) channel, which can be found here.