Southern Counties East Football League Division One action takes place at Princes Park, Dartford on Wednesday evening when Halls AFC host Bridon Ropes.

Currently in eleventh place in the table, Halls are seven points clear of the bottom three and have played fewer games than some of the teams below them. At the other end of the table, they are fourteen points adrift of the top five and, with twelve games remaining, they would require championship form to make it into the play-offs.

On Saturday they visited Greenways in a match that was settled by a goal for the hosts by Joe Thomas in just the second minute. That defeat followed a two-one victory at home to Chessington and Hook United. Joe Freeman scored both of their goals with the winner coming two minutes before the end.

While Halls were going down at Greenways, Bridon Ropes were drawing at FC Elmstead. Jack Hyslop put the hosts ahead midway through the first half but a penalty converted by Emmanuel Oshinowo with thirteen minutes remaining earned the Ropes a valuable point. That followed a two-one home win over Lydd Town. Oshinowo gave them a half time lead before Tyler Sterling equalised from the spot. Elias Ahmed won it for the hosts with a goal in the seventh minute of time added on.

Those four points have taken them out of the relegation zone on goal difference at the expense of Banstead Athletic with Welling Town three points further back. The Ropes are within a point of Lydd Town and SC Thamesmead, with Lewisham Borough one point higher so, depending on other results, victory at Halls could move them three places up the table.

In the first meeting between the two teams this season at Meridian Sports and Social Club, Halls took home the spoils. Zack Manning and James Bayford put them two up in the first half and Leo Onye’s goal with four minutes remaining proved to be no more than a consolation for the Ropes.

Should the Ropes beat Halls, it would bring them to within four points of their hosts who won’t want to be dragged into the relegation dogfight. Therefore there is plenty at stake and a competitive encounter can be anticipated.