Halstead Templars face a crunch game tomorrow in the race for a top-three finish in Green King Eastern Counties League division three south.

Templars face the side one place above above them and currently occupying the third place that they want to move up into – Harwich and Dovercourt seconds – at their home venue of Courtaulds Playing Fields (kick-off 3pm). Halstead have played a game less than their Essex rivals, but with eight points separating the two sides and only three games left to play for the Templars, they will know that a win tomorrow could be vital if they are to break into the top three.

They will take some good form into the game, though, having had comprehensive wins against Clacton and Woodbridge in their previous two outings.

Templars coach Barry Poulter said: "It will be a tough game, but it will allow us to test ourselves against Harwich.

"With Sudbury and Colchester having moved away at the top, Harwich have proved to be the best of the sides in the middle of the table.

"So it will be good to see how far we have progressed after our recent wins."