Despite the fact that their hosts have beaten them just once in ten attempts, Canvey soccer boss Jeff King fully expects a difficult task at Purfleet tomorrow.

Winning send-off -- that's what Gulls' John Kennedy wants before heading off to play for the National Game XI. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE EW9TJ8

Colin McBride's Fleet currently stand third in the Ryman Premier table, five points clear of Gulls who entered the top five for the first time this season when they beat Harrow Borough 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Said King: "I don't want to take anything away from Purfleet at all. They've done very well and are always a difficult side to beat. I honestly think that we are better than them, but it certainly won't be easy there - it never is."

McBride admitted: "Had somebody said at the start of the season that we'd now be five points clear of Canvey then I'd have expected us to be top.

"Canvey haven't been firing on all cylinders this season and have lost something since the summer departures of Steve Tilson, Mark Stimson and Adam Miller, who made up the heart of their side."

Fleet have won their last three games - two of them against fellow front-runners Billericay and Kingstonian.

"We have stressed to the players how important Saturday is," added McBride.

"Canvey might not be as good as in the past, but this season's Premier is so open that they are certainly not out of it. However, if we perform as we did against Kingstonian and Billericay we'll be alright."

Published Friday November 15, 2002

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