Top of the table Cray Wanderers travel to play promotion-chasing rivals Sittingbourne in a Ryman Division One South encounter on Saturday that is likely to test the Wands' championship ambitions to the full.
Cray will start the game (3pm) on a run of six consecutive League wins that has included successful trips to other Kent opponents Ashford Town (2-0) and Folkestone Invicta (3-1).
But Cray manager Ian Jenkins and his team will know that lying in wait for them on Saturday is an-form Sittingbourne team whose manager Gary Abbott spent two years playing for the Wands in 2006 and 2007.
Abbott has piloted his team to fifth in the table and he will be keen to challenge Cray's impressive late bid to capture the championship and the one automatic promotion slot into the Ryman Premier.
Cray have a seven point lead over the 'Bourne, but their rivals have two games in hand, so it couldn't be much tighter at the top as Abbott and Jenkins pit their wits against each other on Saturday.
On Tuesday night the Wands strongly signalled that promotion in the Ryman League is their number one priority this season, when they made an exit from the London Senior Cup after resting several of their regular first team players for the 4th round tie at Tooting & Mitcham.
Cray are expected to be at full strength for the big showdown at Sittingbourne on Saturday, and will then play their first home game for nearly three weeks when Chipstead are the visitors on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here