WITHIN the next seven days, Basingstoke Town may well have a major say in whoever triumphs in the battle for the Ryman Premier title and that elusive Conference spot.

The Camrose Blues face championship-chasing Gravesend and Northfleet and Canvey Island over two consecutive Saturdays as the title race takes centre-stage throughout football.

Gravesend are currently second, two points behind Canvey but with a game in hand, putting Town's opponents tomorrow in the driving seat.

Having handed out two 4-1 thrashings to Ernie Howe's side so far this season, the Kent outfit will be confident of gaining the result they need.

But buoyed by an excellent Easter weekend, that saw them take four points from a possible six, Town will approach the match hoping to throw a spanner in the works.

In order to do that however, Town's manager knows his team need to show the same determination and work ethic they did against rivals Aldershot.

Speaking about tomorrow's testing away trip, Howe said: "Our next few games do not come any bigger in terms of opposition and it's going to be very interesting to see how Gravesend approach this match.

"Nerves may very well kick in and they might become uptight and edgy with the title race pressure. They haven't really had a blip yet either.

"We've got nothing to lose and, after two tonkings from them, have got a bit of personal pride to play for.

"We're not going to go there, lay down and let them beat us. We aren't going to do them any favours."

Ahead of the match, doubts remain over the fitness of Chris Honor and Matt Hayfield.

Hayfield limped off in the second half with damage to his left knee during the Aldershot game, while Honor's knee was badly swollen the following day.

"Both are a cause for concern and we will have to see how they respond at training," said Howe.

On Monday's entertaining 1-1 draw with Aldershot, he added: "Although we were a bit slack in the first 10 minutes, we worked very hard to get back into the game and possibly could have knicked it at the end.

"I'm not going to single out any one person in particular because it was a team effort and they all worked very hard.

"We defended in numbers, got bodies in front and showed a good bit of determination as we were up against a team with a big squad and options.

"They've never beaten us here, so it was good to keep that record and full credit has to go to the lads for that."

Town choose from: Tarr, Bristow, Forbes, Wilkinson, Lisk, Foster, Baker, Girdler, Cook, Howes, McAllister, Eaton, Gorman, Davis.

Basingstoke Referees' appointments committee are looking for a new secretary to replace John Findlay, who has resigned to take up another position. The job involves taking minutes and writing a few letters each month.

Anyone interested in the position should apply in writing to Mr Gerald Merritt (chairman), 30 Dartmouth Walk, Basingstoke, RG22 6QS, or telephone (01256) 412119.