WIVENHOE captain Harry Burnett is relishing a showdown with two former team-mates in tomorrow’s top-of-the-table contest at home to Elmstead.

Jordan Elliott and Ryan Vickery have been in sparkling form for the visitors, having swapped clubs during the close season.

It adds extra spice to what is already an intriguing Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship contest, with Elmstead setting the pace in division one and Wivenhoe second.

And Burnett says he and his team-mates are looking forward to the challenge of facing their near neighbours and friends.

“It’s a local derby and a big game between two sides that have made a strong start to the season,” he said.

“There are plenty of friendships between the teams and we’ll also be up against two of our former players in Jordan and Ryan.

“Both left in the close season but we’re still in constant contact with them and in some ways it’ll be a bit odd coming up against them.

“I don’t think it’ll be too strange, though, because we’ve played against them in the past, so it’s not a completely new situation.

“It’s good to see them doing well and we’re obviously delighted with the start we’ve made, too.

“I’d have snapped your hands off, had I been offered this position at the start of the season.

“I’m not going to get ahead of myself or be over-confident, because we know how quickly things can change.

“You never know what’s going to happen with injuries and so on.

“However, if we stay injury-free and keep our performance levels high, a top-three finish is a realistic goal and that would be fantastic.

“That was my goal for the season and it would represent a really good season.”

Burnett says that while tomorrow’s game is clearly important, it’s far too early to be thinking about the championship.

The table is tight and he believes other sides will still have a big say.

“It’s very open and there are several sides in the running,” he said.

“It’s not like the two of us have forged ahead and made it a two-horse race.

“I haven’t been surprised by Elmstead’s start, though. They’ve got players who can take the game away from you and they’ve got a very talented squad.

“But anything can happen on any given day in this league.

“Anyone can beat anyone and we’ll be treating it like any other match.”

Burnett has been impressed with young brothers Jordan and Joe Nicholls, who have shone since being promoted into the first team.

“Losing Jordan (Elliott) and Ryan has created opportunities for others and some of the young lads have come in and done really well,” he said.

“In fact, I’ve been quite overwhelmed by just how well they’ve done.

“Jordan (Nicholls) has moved up the order and he’s already got three half-centuries. He'll be looking to kick on from those scores.

“Matt Durrell has been opening the batting alongside him and he’s absolutely flying.

“He’s scored stacks of runs and the pair of them have really gelled.

“On the attacking front, we haven’t lost any of our front-line bowlers from last year.

“Liam Hope-Shackley and Matt have been opening for us but we’ve also got myself, James Butcher and another talented youngster in Joe.

“I’m spoilt for choice, not to mention having a very talented new wicketkeeper in Paul Farrow.”