St Ives Town can jump from seventh spot to the top of Southern League Division One (Central) with success tonight.

Ricky Marheineke’s men entertain Hanwell Town at ProEdge Westwood Road (7.45pm).

The Saints are two points behind current leaders Chalfont St Peter, but are one of 10 teams covered by only three points in an ultra-tight table.

Marheineke said: “Hanwell only just missed out on the play-offs last season, but from what I can gather they don’t have a single player left from that team.

“They are also under different management as well so we don’t really know what to expect, but it is important we win the game.

“It would be great for the fans if we could go top, but the fact so many teams are so closely matched shows the strength and quality in the division.”

It is the first of two successive home games for Saints who then entertain bottom side North Greenford this Saturday.

Ben Seymour-Shove will miss both matches as he begins a three-game ban while midfield man Jack Higgs is likely to be out until the new year with ankle ligament damage.

Short-term signing Joe Peacock is set for a Godmanchester Rovers debut when they travel to Newmarket Town in the second round of the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup.

Frontman Peacock has arrived on a temporary basis from higher-level St Ives and will boost Rovers’ attacking options with top-scorer James Hall currently away.

Rovers have missed out on two other targets. Newmarket man Ross Paterson has stepped up to Step 4 level with Soham Town Rangers while Gareth Simpson has opted to stay at Godmanchester’s FA Vase conquerors Mildenhall.

Bottom side Huntingdon Town face a stern United Counties League Premier Division test away to AFC Kempston Rovers tonight. The match is being played at Langford due to the home side’s long-standing floodlight issues.

Eynesbury Rovers could do Huntingdon a favour by winning at next-to-bottom Wellingborough Town.