Garry Kimble is hoping that it is third time lucky for his Witham Town team as they make another assault on claiming the Ryman League division one north’s top spot tonight.

Witham have had two chances to overhaul current leaders VCD Athletic in recent weeks but have fallen short on both occasions as defeats by Needham Market and Harlow Town have kept them second.

So Kimble is looking for his tired and weary players to dig deep once more and finally take their chance to go top when Chatham Town are the visitors to the Village Glass Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

he said: “It’s such a big game because it could have a big bearing on who leads the way going into the last three games.

“We have been in this stuation before where we know if we win that we can go top, but we have missed out both times.

“At Needham Market it was the case and it was the same last Thursday against Harlow, but so far we just haven’t been able to turn it on for those big games when there is a bit more pressure.

“Hopefully it will be different this time.”

“I think being top would make a difference with three games to go.

“If we are top then it will put the onus back on VCD and they will know they have to win all their three games, but if we lose against Chatham then the pressure is really on us.

“It’s a massive game.”

Kimble said his team may be boosted by the return of Danny Emmanuel for the visit of Chatham tonight.

Ithad looked as if the Witham midfielder’s season may have ended prematurely when he broke his wrist in the game against Barkingside last month, but he is now looking to return with a cast on the injured arm.

Defender Luke Olley should also be fit, but Kris Newby is rated as only 50/50 due to a hamstring problem, Dean Green may be out with a back injury and Anthony Anstead is struggling with a calf problem.