Bishop s Stortford v St Albans City Blue Square South – Saturday, February 7, 2009 Woodside Park (Kick off 3pm) This Hertfordshire derby looks set to be a hotly contested affair with both sides desperate for the three points that are on offer. City are l

Bishop's Stortford v St Albans City

Blue Square South - Saturday, February 7, 2009

Woodside Park (Kick off 3pm)

This Hertfordshire derby looks set to be a hotly contested affair with both sides desperate for the three points that are on offer.

City are looking for their first league win in eleven games while Stortford are in need of the points as they look to escape the relegation battle.

The Blues sacked manager Martin Hayes in November, just after he'd completed 700 matches in charge of the side.

Hayes was replaced by Mark Simpson and under his leadership the club have picked up 16 points from nine games.

l Last Meeting - City were victorious the last time the teams played, winning 2-0 at Clarence Park in September. James Quilter and a Lee Clarke penalty in the last minute gave Saints their second win of the season.

l Form - Bishop's Stortford have had a mixed run of late, notching three wins and three defeats in their last six outings.

During that run they recorded a fantastic 3-1 win away at play-off hopefuls Welling United, as well as victories over Maidenhead United and last time out against Worcester City.

l Players to watch - Tricky winger Danny Green will be a major threat to the Saints defence on Saturday. The former Northampton and Nottingham Forest player has established himself in the Blues first eleven in recent weeks, scoring twice in the wins over Welling United and Weston-super-Mare.

At the other end of the pitch, looking to keep the City strike force at bay is former Saints 'keeper Nicky Eyre.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster played 36 times for City last season but left to joins Grays when Paul Bastock returned to Clarence Park.

Danny Harris is the Blues top scorer this season with six goals. The 20-year old joined Stortford from East Thurrock United and can play in midfield or in attack.

l Team News - Ben Martin and James Fisher are still suspended after last weekend's postponement meaning Steve Castle will have to shuffle his side around to cover.

Ryan Frater should be fit to return to the centre of defence with Soloman Shields set to make his debut in midfield.

Castle has options up front with Gary Cohen, Paul Hakim, Simon Martin and Danny Charge all vying for a spot in the starting line-up.

The Blues have had a fairly settled side in their last three games with another former Saint Matt Jones lining up in defence.

Harlee Deen has made a big impact at Stortford after joining on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge. The 17-year-old midfielder has scored twice and has formed a good partnership with fellow Dagenham loanee Bai Mas Lettejallow.

l The Woodside Park pitch is very wet after last week's snow and Monday night's heavy rain. For further information regarding the state of the game visit the official Bishop's Stortford website at www.bsfc.co.uk.