It's a clash of the new boys at Plantation Park this afternoon as Norwich United host Bowers & Pitsea, writes Norman Bygrave.

The Planters will welcome back Matt Brown, who missed last week's 2-1 defeat at Aveley due to work commitments, while Adam Hipperson is expected to start after coming off the bench to score a late consolation a week ago.

Lee Mason appears to have overcome the bad knock to his arm that forced him off against the Millers, but Jamie Speller is missing through suspension.

Today's visitors, like the Planters, got off to an excellent start. At the end of September they were in third position, but just two points from six games in October has seen them slip to 12th, level on points but two places higher then Steve Eastaugh's men.

With the Planters having lost their last five games, four on the road, both sides will be looking to today's game to get their season back on track.

Bowers & Pitsea have visited Plantation Park once before – three years ago in the FA Vase when the Planters won 2-1 on their way to the last 32. Today's visitors reached the semi-finals of last season's FA Vase as well as winning the Essex Senior League.

Dereham Town and Wroxham are on their travels, with trips to Romford and Thamesmead Town respectively.

The Magpies are coming off the back of a 3-0 home win over Great Wakering Rovers and while Romford are unbeaten at home this season, they have drawn five of their seven games.

Wroxham have an opportunity to move off the bottom – they play the team immediately above them, Thamesmead, knowing a win would help prevent them being cut adrift.