Promotion-chasing Southend face a stiff test of their progress tomorrow when they travel to take on Haywards Heath.

Southend lead London One by four points, but their challengers at the top have games in hand and defeat may open up a bit of daylight for the chasing pack.

Haywards Heath, who Southend pipped 20-17 earlier in the season, are themselves six points back but with three games in hand.

Spokesman Gerry Lamb said: "It's an important game which we'll be trying to win, but if we lose it's not the end of the world. There's still a long way to go yet."

Rochford are due to host Chingford in the Essex Cup on Sunday (2.15 pm) as part of a double header -- they meet the same side in a league game the following week.

Matt Norris and Ryan Dann are expected to return for Rochford, who have not played since December 14.

In the Essex President's Shield quarter-finals, Westcliff face an unknown quantity in the form of Wanderers.

Published Friday, January 10, 2003

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