ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: It is third against first this weekend in the Essex Senior League as Hullbridge Sports look to topple leaders Haringey Borough.

Sports have won seven of their first 10 games and head into the match in confident mood, despite the departure of 12 goal top-scorer Liam Nash, who has joined Billericay Town.

Sports are likely to play Kurtis Clarke in the lone striker position and manager Mark Bliss will have a full squad to pick from for the clash.

Hullbridge have happy memories of the two teams’ last meeting, having beaten top-of-the-table Haringey in the Gordon Brasted Trophy final on the last day of last season.

“We will keep scrapping away and we will see where we end up after climbing to second after a run of good league results,” said Bliss.

“We’re hard to beat and we’ve certainly improved this season,” Bliss said after last Saturday’s 5-1 win over Takeley. “We’ll keep doing what we do and we’ll see if we beat last season’s position.”

“We’re not one of the best teams in the league and haven’t got the best squad, but we are competitive and have a great team spirit and that’s what you need in this league.”

Basildon United face a tough test at home against FC Romania.

The visitors have won five of their six games so far this season and sit fifth in the league, despite having played four fewer games than Hullbridge, six points ahead of them.

Manager Craig Gillam has doubts over the fitness of skipper Taylor Sinfield but otherwise has a fully fit squad after the midweek defeat at rivals Bowers & Pitsea.

Meanwhile Bowers are on the road at struggling Eton Manor.

Rob Small’s men are eighth in the league and have been in impressive form in recent weeks, although there will be late fitness tests for Aaron Russell, skipper Scott Pethers and striker Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou. They do have Martin Llewellyn available.

Southend Manor face a tough test at Newham, who are challenging for a top five spot.

Manor have won only one of eight matches this term, but bizarrely have a better goal difference than their opponents.

Newham have a goal difference of minus-14, having suffered several heavy defeats this term.