AFC Stoneham are on the road for the first time in six league games as they travel to Five Heads Park to take on an in-form Horndean side on Tuesday 17th January.

Horndean:

Winning 12 of their last 14 league games, The Deans will look to extend their unbeaten league run when they welcome Stoneham to Five Heads Park for the first time in 2023.

Due to the persistent and unwanted weather postponing matches, Horndean are yet to play a league game since their 2-1 win away to Moneyfields before Christmas, where a brace from Connor Duffin helped extend their unbeaten run to 14 in the league.

Horndean are currently third in the table on 44 points, four off Stoneham in second, who have played three more games than the home side this season, making this an important match for both sides.

They also have the best defence in the league this season, conceding just nine goals in 17 matches, whilst still netting an impressive 52 goals, showing that they are dominant at both ends of the pitch and pose a real threat heading into this huge clash.

AFC Stoneham:

Weather permitting, Stoneham will play away from home for the first time in six league games, as their last match against Bournemouth Poppies was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Purps are unbeaten at home in the league this season and are the only team above Horndean in the form guide, winning six matches in a row.

However, their form doesn’t quite translate when absent from Stoneham Lane, losing their last two on the road against Laverstock& Ford and table-topping AFC Portchester respectively.

They have started 2023 impressively, scoring 11 and only conceding two, something they hope will continue against Horndean but know it will be a tough task against their impenetrable defence.

Last Four Meetings:

29/01/22- AFC Stoneham 1-3 Horndean (PREM)

04/09/21- Horndean 0-2 AFC Stoneham (PREM)

27/10/20- AFC Stoneham 1-3 Horndean (PREM)

28/01/20- AFC Stoneham 0-0 Horndean (PREM)

By Freddie Dorman