Home tests for Hornchurch and Romford

Saturday (3pm)

Ryman Premier Division

Hornchurch v Concord

Urchins welcome their fierce rivals to Bridge Avenue for what is sure to be a hard-fought derby encounter.

Two superb goals from Martin Tuohy led Jimmy McFarlane’s men to a 2-0 win at Kingstonian last weekend, keeping them five points behind leaders Billericay with two games in hand.

But they lost 3-1 when Concord visited for an FA Cup first qualifying round tie in mid-September.

Goals from Frankie Curley and Lewis Smith sealed a 2-1 league win at Thames Road two months later and McFarlane will be hoping his side can complete a double in the return.

Curley returned from suspension at Kingsmeadow last weekend, along with Reiss Noel, but Smith remains sidelined as he completes a three-match ban.

Urchins play one of their games in hand on Billericay when Hastings visit on Tuesday.

Ryman Division 1N

Romford v Waltham Forest

Romford boss Paul Martin has resigned himself to the fact his side are unlikely to make the play-offs this season.

A 3-2 defeat at leaders Leiston last weekend left Boro 13 points adrift of the top five, with only a dozen games remaining.

They were made to pay for a slow start in Suffolk as Michael Brothers fired a hat-trick inside 22 minutes to put Leiston in control.

Kurt Smith hit back with a quickfire brace in the second half to take his tally for the season to 12 goals, from only 14 starts.

But Martin wants to see his men add to their points tally, as they look to surpass last season’s mark.

These two sides shared eight goals when they met at Cricklefield Stadium in November.

Jack Barry and Smith put them 2-0 up inside a quarter of an hour, before Forest hit back.

Nick Reynolds headed Romford’s third, but Forest turned the match on its head with three goals in nine minutes.

Reynolds netted his second to get Boro back on terms, but Paul Kavanagh saw a late penalty saved.

Captain Paul Clayton and Jamie Dicks are available for selection after completing three-match bans, but Clayton may be given extra compassionate leave following the birth of his daughter.

Boro are due to visit local rivals Brentwood in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday and will want to go into that meeting in good spirits.