WIVENHOE Town boss Mo Osman has warned his players to expect a backlash in tonight’s eagerly-awaited derby against Stanway Rovers.

The sides are set to meet in a Thurlow Nunn League premier division showdown at the Maple Tree Cars Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Wivenhoe pulled off a shock 3-0 win in the reverse fixture in August and Osman knows his side’s rivals will be “wanting revenge”.

“Stanway will be hurting from the last game between the sides, I’m sure,” he said.

“We didn’t just beat them – we beat them convincingly and in their own back yard – and so I’m sure there will be an element of wanting revenge in their minds.

“We have to be prepared and ready for that.

“For our club, that result has to be a highlight of recent years.

“It was very satisfying because not many sides go there, score three goals and keep a clean sheet.

“I can’t remember the last time that happened and I can imagine their players checked out the date of this fixture as soon as the final whistle went that night.

“I believe we’re a bigger club, given our history, and it’s always good to beat your local rivals. These games give the fans bragging rights but for me personally it’s just about trying to pick up three more points.

“Nothing changes in terms of my attitude to the derby.

“I always see it as just another game and want my players to fight hard for every point, regardless of the opposition.

“We just want to be the best we can be and there’s no point winning tonight and then losing on Saturday.”

Wivenhoe will be without suspended pair Ben Parkin and Lee Clowsley.

The former is serving the last of a three-match suspension and will be back for Saturday’s match against Godmanchester Rovers. Ben Lampon and Andy Schofield are also certain non-starters with ankle injuries.

Stanway are second in the table and have not lost since their defeat against Wivenhoe - a sequence spanning eight games.

Wivenhoe are seventh and have also made a strong start to the season, although they lost 2-1 at Fakenham on Saturday.

“We were unfortunate at the weekend,” added Osman.

“We started well and were worthy of our first-half lead.

“But Fakenham equalised and, by the end, deserved their winner.

“However, in terms of effort and commitment, I can’t fault my players and, overall, it’s been a very positive start to the season.”