Right…third time lucky?

Evidently some higher power doesn’t want this one played after two heavy periods of rain curtailed any chance of play on two separate occasions.

But now, look out that window! Isn’t it gorgeous: those blue skies, yellow sun; the perfect conditions for a spot of football up in East Grinstead later today.

Andres Rodriguez made his debut in the centre of midfield on Saturday after Charlie Harris was away, whilst Luke Robinson returned from international duty with his home nation of Bermuda.

Last time out

So yes, Saturday. A day that promised so much: nerves jangling, three points crucial. Those points were bagged by Chatham Town, who now sit atop the division following a last gasp penalty that was billowed by Jack Evans, who recorded a brace.

1,500 revellers packed the Bauvill Stadium with the majority making themselves known in the 18th minute: Evans striking from 20-yards as the ball veered past the gloves of Luke Glover for the afternoon’s opener.

Khris Oti levelled things moments before the break after Joel Daly and Rob O’Toole combined to fire the ball into the box, where Oti’s instinctive presence permitted him to slot home from a matter of yards.

But in a second half that saw the Hawks drop deeper as the match went on, the hosts had the final say after Danny Kedwell fell in the box, colleague Evans picking up the ball and placing it straight down the middle to further evolve this tense season.

The hosts

A side that cannot be glossed over as an easy three points, ‘The Wasps’ home form has been laudable in their previous two outings with a 3-2 victory over Hythe Town followed by a 2-2 draw against Ashford United. 

On the road is where their struggles lie, yet under the lights this will be no easy test with the Hawks heading to mid-Sussex in dire need of maximum points to keep those hopes of automatic promotion alive.

Top scorer Matt Daniel, who has 13 goals in all competitions this season, will miss this one after suffering a nasty injury on Saturday in their 4-0 defeat at Hythe’s Reachfields, with East Grinstead arriving into tonight’s fixture as the league’s joint-second fewest goalscorers. 

Previous Encounters

The last time the Hawks and Wasps met was in October at The Enclosed Ground with Whitehawk completing a 2-0 win over Drew Cooney’s side courtesy of goals from Harry Shooman and Mo Juwara.

The Hawks have yet to lose to tomorrow’s opponents since dropping into the Isthmian League South East. Five games have spawned three Hawks victories – all coming at The Enclosed Ground – whilst the two at East Court have ended in 1-1 draws.