BUCKHURST Hill have the chance to leapfrog Essex Olympian Football League division one leaders Westhamians at the weekend as they prepare for a mouth-watering clash with third-placed Bishop’s Stortford Swifts.

And team manager Phil Hernon knows his side will have to be at the top of their game if they are to pick up a vital three points in the race for promotion.

Hill gave away a two goal lead to draw with Old Chelmsfordians at the weekend, and Hernon knows his players will need a stronger performance if they are to overhaul the Swifts.

“We’re really going to have to up our game for that one, although in the end it was a point gained rather than two points dropped for us. We ground out a result in the end,” he said.

The 11th-placed visitors began well at Roding Lane, and the going got tougher for Hill with the exit of lynch-pin Danny Morgan mid-way through the first period with an injury.

But luck was on the hosts’ side when Chelmsfordians put the ball into their own net on 25 minutes, It was the only goal before the break, with the visitors unable to breach Hill’s back line.

But Chelmsfordians turned up the heat in the second half and could count themselves unlucky to concede a second on 60 minutes.

Dave Burnage produced a moment of class with a lob over the keeper.

But rather than going on to finish the game off, Hill were put under the cosh and the visitors scored two goals and could have snatched victory. Elsewhere, Epping set up a fourth round clash with Runwell Hospital in the Essex Olympian Senior Division League Cup after a 2-1 win over Canning Town on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Debden Sports’ Herts Senior County League clash with Hitchin was postponed, and the club will be raring to go for the trip to Sarratt this coming weekend.

Elsewhere, new Harlow Town manager Glen Alzapiedi will be hoping to record his second successive home win against Maidstone in the Ryman Premier Division this week, after his proposed first away game at Dartford fell victim to the weather.

Harlow go into the game with just one win in ten matches and stand 17th in the table, while Maidstone lie fifth, despite a run of three defeats in five.