WITHAM Town are prepared for their match on Harlow Town’s artificial pitch today, but assistant boss Brad King says the surface gives the hosts a big advantage.

Town will be looking to push on in their title bid and King said Witham will line-up to take account of the 3G pitch.

“We train on a 3G pitch on Thursdays now so we have an idea how it will play,” said King.

“We will set up differently for it. “But it’s a massive home advantage for a Harlow side that is doing well anyway.

“We’ve now got the Maldon game out of the way and we knew a bit how we would set up for it."

Witham go into the game after back-to-back league wins this week that have seen them beat Wroxham last and then local rivals Maldon & Tiptree in midweek.

The victories got Witham’s campaign back on track after weeks without action due to waterlogged pitches.

The weather will not affect Harlow’s artificial pitch but King is expecting a tricky afternoon.

“It’s another tough test, but there are no easy games in this league,” he added.

“When you are up there (at the top of the league), everyone wants to turn you over. “So we just need to chalk off the games.

“There’s no pressure on us and the boys are hungry to play matches because they haven’t been able to.”

James Stevens came off during Witham’s midweek 3-0 win against Maldon & Tiptree after taking a knock on his ankle, but King was hoping the midfielder would be fit to face Harlow.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS face a tough trip to play-off rivals Thurrock.

Swifts are fourth in the table and travel to the side two places below them on the back of a good 1-0 win against Barkingside on Tuesday night.

Manager Jody Brown will be hoping the rain stays away following the disruption they have faced over the last month.

Brown watched Thurrock in their 3-2 Essex Senior Cup quarter-final defeat at Colchester United on Monday night.

Brown said: “I have a few ideas on where they are strong and weak. “However, I will be concentrating on our game.

“We won on Tuesday, but we need to be better when we are in possession and when we are not.”

Swifts will be without defender Ryan Doyle who has joined Ryman Premier side Enfield Town.

MALDON & TIPTREE play host to Redbridge today.