ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Hullbridge Sports host Basildon United as they aim to increase their stranglehold on fourth place in what promises to be an exciting derby match.

It could yet be a record breaking season for Sports, who have never finished higher then seventh in the division, although they were surprisingly beaten by basement club Sporting Bengal United last weekend.

They are now looking to avenge their 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Bees earlier this season but have struggled for consistency recently.

And manager Mark Bliss is hopeful that a week without a match will see Reece Brandon (muscle) and Luke Hornsley (tendon) return to full fitness.

Basildon were beaten 2-1 by champions elect Haringey Borough in the week and will be aiming to overturn a poor run of five straight defeats.

Manager Craig Gillam said: “I’m hoping we can pick ourselves up as the lads are gutted. They worked so hard and we wanted a result for ourselves and Bowers as well.”

Bowers & Pitsea are hot favourites to make it a staggering 25 games unbeaten when they visit Sporting Bengal.

Bowers have scored 26 goals without reply in the last five games and have now scored 101 goals in Rob Small’s first season in charge.

However, with Haringey setting the pace it appears the league will be just out of reach, although Small is not giving up.

Elsewhere, Southend Manor are hoping their fine 3-2 win against Basildon last weekend will serve as inspiration when they host Takeley tomorrow.