Relegation for rock-bottom Wickford could be confirmed on Saturday if Premier Division leaders Five & Heronians return home from the Dick Patmore Memorial Ground with an expected victory.

Wickford are 35 points behind third-bottom Loughton, who they visit in their remaining two games after tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Billericay's bid to break back into the top four has received a major boost ahead of their trip to lowly Loughton.

Spinner Andy Maxwell is among a host of players available again for a Billericay side badly depleted in the past two weeks.

However, the weekend's most crucial game comes in Division One.

Hadleigh & Thundersley visit Orsett, knowing that-- having risen steadily into the top two - they now have to maintain their form to cling on to a promotion spot.

Batsman Glen Geeson returns after injury.

Westcliff could ultimately squeeze into the top two, but a more realistic aim is probably to finish one place higher than their current fifth position.

They face their last home game on Saturday - against fourth-placed Brentwood.

Horndon-on-the-Hill , third from bottom, could leapfrog Orsett by picking up a useful points haul at table-proppers Ardleigh Green.

Down in Division Two, joint leaders Leigh and South Woodford each need just two points to guarantee promotion.

Leigh have the easier run-in and skipper Simon Burch said: "If we can't get two points I'll jump off the highest building in Southend!

Nigel Holmes and Mark Sexton return for Leigh, with Simon Goggin their only absentee.

Old Southendian skipper Chris Bunce, whose side are two points behind their visitors on Saturday, Ilford, said: "We need to get our whole game right, and coming third would be a big improvement on last season."

Full-strength Southend , in fourth, host leaders Upminster in Division Three.

Second-bottomBenfleet have five players returning - but one of their main performers out - as they seek their first win.

They host Ongar, a place above them, with stand-in skipper Paul Tremain saying: "Team selection was very difficult, but I'm very happy with the balance of the side."

Usual skipper Jon Wright is jetting back from Florida early in the morning to play - but not as captain.

Key left-hander batsman Lewis Edwards, experienced all-rounder Nigel West, destructive batsman Tom Hanson and off-spinner Ron Steed - also return.

Adam Keeble retains his place as opener after two sound displays.

Basildon skipper Mark Ayres brings back youngster Robin Hacksall for Peter Saunders in an otherwise-unchanged side at home to Old Brentwoods.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.