On Friday evening, VCD Athletic entertain Corinthian in an Isthmian League South East Division derby.

Tenth placed VCD have had a lot of inactivity over the last couple of months having played only two games since 7th December and now start a run of four consecutive home games as they look to ease their way back towards the play off zone.

On 2nd January, they were beaten at home by in-form Cray Valley (PM), then five days later, they drew one apiece at Haywards Heath Town. They went behind midway through the second half but levelled with thirteen minutes remaining through Anthony Adesite. Two yellow cards for Jack Bath blotted their copybook and he will miss the Corinthian game through suspension.

Michael Golding has had to rebuild his Corinthian team. Many of his squad moved on in the summer following their success in winning promotion and their first season at step four when they finished just seven points away from the play-off zone.

As a result, this season has been far more of a struggle, and they are currently in the penultimate place in the league table. On Saturday, they lost a tight game at home to Beckenham Town with Danny Waldren scoring the only goal on the hour mark.

Although they have only won three times this season, one of them was when they hosted the Vickers with a three-two victory. All the goals were scored in the first half. James Billings put the Hoops ahead, but Soul Kader levelled. Oscar Housego and another Billings goal put the hosts in charge, but David Ozobia pulled one back two minutes before half time.

When the two teams met in Crayford last season, it was another good afternoon for the visitors.

They went into the half time break one up, thanks to an early Jack Mahoney goal. Alex Gaggin levelled seven minutes into the second half but Louie Clarke put Corinthian back in front before Joshua Stirman and Emmanuel Oloyede scored in the last fifteen minutes to seal the win.

There is much at stake for both sides so it could be a tight encounter.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.