Earlier in the season, your writer waxed lyrical about recent fixtures between our two sides and how they often produced some of the best games of the year. It was therefore perfectly predictable that on this occasion the teams delivered an absolute dog of a 0-0 game that barely flickers in the memory !

Currently, our two clubs sit side-by-side in the league table in 6th and 7th both on 21 points, although Blues have a couple of games in hand.

Interestingly, the Swifts best form this year has been away from Scraley Road - unbeaten in seven games on the road. Conversely, they have had just the single win at home, against Concord Rangers.

However, they have recently started to find a vein of form with a great win away at Waltham Abbey and only denied victory against Redbridge by a 93rd minute equaliser. They also completed a 9-1 demolition of Dunmow Town in the last round of the Essex Senior Cup, with four goals from Jack Stone, a hat-trick from Kojo Apenteng and a brace from Vinnie Bowman ! But leading scorer this season so far is Andrew Fennell regularly in recent league game.

With both teams in great touch, all eyes will be this game, as, depending on other results, the winner could claim a place in a play-off berth. Even at this relatively early stage of the season, it would give either side something to build on, as things move towards the packed festive programme.

The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Heybridge Swifts’ Scraley Road ground CM9 8JA.

Come on you Blues !