HARLOW Town travel to fellow strugglers Hastings United on Saturday as they desperately seek to claw their way out of a relegation dogfight in the Ryman Premier Division.

The Rams are precariously placed in 17th, just two points above the drop zone but they have the chance to cut the four-point gap between themselves and Hastings this weekend, which would haul them back into the mix of teams fighting for the refuge of mid-table mediocrity.

One consolation for manager Glen Alzapiedi is that his side have the luxury of at least two games in hand over many of the teams around them.

Meanwhile, Essex Olympian Senior Premier Division side Buckhurst Hill will be gearing themselves up for their biggest game of the season – a six-pointer against top dogs Westhamians this week.

Hill are just two points behind Saturday's opponents in second, while they have two games in hand. And Phil Hernon will be well aware that a victory will put his side in the ascendancy for the league title with the halfway point approaching.

Elsewhere, Debden Sports will be looking to keep the pressure on the top two in Herts Senior County League Division One with three points at Harpenden Rovers at the weekend.

Debden currently lie in third place in the league, nine points adrift of leaders Chipperfield Corinthians.

The local side had their league match with mid-table side Sarratt postponed due to a freezing pitch last week.

In the Bishop's Stortford, Stansted and District League Premier Division, Loughton are preparing for a tricky home clash with third-placed Langley Rangers.

Loughton currently sit ninth from 12 teams in the division and will be eager to distance themselves from danger.

Essex Olympian Senior Premier Division team Epping are due to play their rescheduled cup tie with Runwell Hospital, which was called off at the weekend in bizarre circumstances, after the match referee inspected the wrong pitch, deeming it unplayable, despite the two teams being raring to go on a separate, previously-approved pitch.