HOOPS V ERITH TOWN PREVIEW

The Hoops’ run of fixtures against in-form opponents continues on Saturday when they take on Erith Town at the Charles Ground.
A fortnight ago Derek Hares’ side lost 2-0 to Fisher who had won eight of their previous nine matches in league and cup. Then, last Saturday, Deal scored a 2-0 victory over a Crowborough Athletic team who had won their four previous league games; and now the Hoops face an Erith side who have won their last six matches in all competitions including a 3-1 victory at Croydon on Wednesday night.
That midweek success has lifted the Dockers to 14th place in the table, their highest position since the early weeks of the season, and they have games in hand on all the clubs above them.
So the Hoops can expect a difficult encounter on Saturday but the win over Crowborough – their first in seven matches – has boosted the team’s confidence, with Hares saying: “We needed that win and it was a solid team performance to keep our good home record going.”
The Hoops haven’t lost at home in the league since last December and that run includes a 2-1 victory over Erith in January when Sam Wilson and Ben Chapman were on target. Wilson, Alfie Foster and Luke Bigginton are all available again this Saturday after missing the Crowborough game but Kane Smith is likely to be out for at least a couple of months after breaking his ankle in the last few minutes against the Crows.