RIDGEONS LEAGUE: Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman has urged his Ridgeons Premier leaders to blow away the cobwebs today at Ely. The Blues remain six points clear of nearest challengers Dereham despite a month without league action due to FA Vase heroics and bad weather call-offs.

Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman has urged his Ridgeons Premier leaders to blow away the cobwebs today at Ely.

The Blues remain six points clear of nearest challengers Dereham despite a month without league action due to FA Vase heroics and bad weather call-offs.

Chapman now wants his men to pick up the pace ahead of a hectic festive campaign.

"We're taking things one game at a time at the moment as we've some very important ones coming up in the next few weeks," he said. "We played Ely early in the season and they are a well-organised, very disciplined, hard working side who've had some mixed results. It will be a difficult place to go and get a result, so we'll have to concentrate on ourselves to get the result we want.

"We're looking forward to the game but we'll have to put in a shift and work hard - and if we're not right they can cause us problems.

"We have a massive festive programme ahead as there are lots of sides out there waiting for you to slip up. It's great that we're top of the league but leagues aren't won in December and we're not getting carried away. We want to stay at the top and keep the pressure on the other sides."

Marcus Saunders (calf) is a doubt. Neil Plaskett (knee) is unavailable after keyhole surgery. Carl Poppy and Matty Potter have returned to light training.

The managerless Planters head to Histon Reserves with assistant boss Alan Arber in charge after Gary Butcher's resignation. The ex-Norwich City academy coach walked away from the second-bottom strugglers in midweek after a League Cup penalty shoot out exit to Wroxham.

Wisbech chief Gary Setchell is poised to hand a debut to former Leicester City attacking midfielder Aaron Butcher at Leiston. The

23-year-old played alongside Setchell for Swaffham last season.

Setchell's old club welcome back Kyle Plumb, Sam Darlow, Stuart Seales and Robbie Howling for Swaffham's First Division test at Cornard.

Andy Hunter (rib) and Tom Rainford (back) miss out for the Pedlars. Downham host Brantham Athletic without key duo Tim Kavanagh and Paul Harrod. Strike pair Danny Foulsham and Ashley Smith are expected to shake off minor knocks.