Matchday Preview - Sat 19 Apr 2014

Previews ahead of fixtures involving Ipswich, Chelmsford and AFC Sudbury on Saturday afternoon.

Watford v Ipswich

SKYBET CHAMPIONSHIP
Stadium: Vicarage Road    Date: Sat 19 Apr 2014     Kick-off: 15:00   

Coverage: BBC Radio Suffolk, Updates from Final Score and Soccer Saturday, Highlights on The Football League Show, FANbase website

Ipswich will be looking to continue their play-off push as Town travel to take on Watford.

Watford are unbeaten in their past five games, winning two. Their last defeat was 2-1 at Wigan on 22 March while Ipswich have won four of their past six games, drawing one and losing one.

Team News:
Midfielder Paul Anderson and striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (both hamstring) are among those regarded as doubtful, while Tommy Smith (Calf) could miss out, too.

David McGoldrick (knee) will continue to miss out and, earlier this week, has discovered he will miss out if Town reach the play-offs.

Aaron Cresswell will be recalled after missing the win over Doncaster with a groin problem, while Jack Marriott is available after he was recalled from his loan spell at Woking.

League Positions:
8   Ipswich    42   8    64
13 Watford   41  16   57

Previous Encounter:
These sides played out a 1-1 draw at Portman Road in December. Ipswich have won once in the past 18 meetings in all competitions, drawing four and losing 13.

Staines Town v Chelmsford

SKRILL SOUTH
Stadium: Wheatsheaf Park    Date: Sat 19 Apr 2014     Kick-off: 15:00   

Coverage: Radio Clarets, FANbase website

Chelmsford will look to secure their Conference South league status today as they travel to Wheatsheaf Park to take on Staines Town.

The Clarets have claimed five points over the past week (3-2 win at Basingstoke and 0-0 draw at Eastleigh) and will play their fourth game during that time.

League Positions:
9    Staines Town       39   -4     57
17  Chelmsford City   38   -23   43

Previous Encounter:
The last time out saw Chelmsford beat Staines 3-2 in the second game of the season at Melbourne Stadium including a brace from Jeff Golding back in August.

VCD Athletic v AFC Sudbury

RYMAN DIVISION ONE NORTH
Stadium: The Oakwood    Date: Sat 19 Apr 2014     Kick-off: 15:00   

Coverage: FANbase website

AFC Sudbury are in action for the fourth time in seven days, as the Yellows travel to Crayford in London to take on VCD Athletic.

The past week has seen the Yellows beat Aveley (at home) last Saturday before losing to Needham Market and Redbridge (both away).

Promotion searching VCD have been chasing promotion all season, being in 1st position for the majority of the season, but have dropped down to 2nd this week, with Witham gaining but there is one point in it. The Yellows, meanwhile, have fallen to ninth position.

Team News:
David Batch will be without several senior players due to long-term injuries so many of the youngsters will be expected to play for the first team squad today.

Matt Daniels (groin) could return for the trip to Kent today after being out for several weeks.

League Positions
2   VCD Athletic   43   +56    93
9   AFC Sudbury  43   +13    70

Previous Encounter
The previous match between the two sides saw them play out a 1-1 draw: Baker's opening penalty, after Clarke was fouled, was cancelled out by Ibemere's strike past Archer.

AFC Sudbury Res v Needham Market Res

THURLOW NUNN DIVISION ONE
Stadium: The MEL Group Stadium   Date: Sat 19 Apr 2014     Kick-off: 15:00   

Coverage: FANbase website, Twitter (@FANbaseBlog)

AFC Sudbury Reserves continue their Thurlow Nunn season as they host Needham Market's Reserves.

The AFC side have lost their last eight games after many of the major players have been called up for the first team and have been naming youth sides.

League Positions
14   AFC Sudbury Res       32   -40   32
16   Needham Market Res  32  -55   26

Previous Encounter
The corresponding league fixture is set to be played on Easter Monday, but the two sides met earlier in the season in the First Division Knockout Cup, which resulted in a 4-0 win for the Marketmen.