SOUTHEND & EMT face local rivals Hadleigh & Thundersley in a huge Division One clash this weekend.

Promotion-pushing Southend head into the game sitting second in the table while Hadleigh remain eager for points at the opposite end of the table.

And, with just two games to go, Southend skipper Joe Robbins insists his side cannot afford a hiccup at Southchurch Park.

“There’s no hiding away from the fact it’s a must-win game for us,” said Robbins.

“But, at the same time, we need to make sure we treat it like any other game of the season and not go searching for things we don’t normally do.

“Hadleigh need the points just as much as we do so we’re under no illusions to how tough a game it’s going to be.

“But we are a good side and on a good run at the moment so we’re full of confidence and hoping we can pick up the win,” the Seasiders’ skipper added.

Southend are currently just three points clear of third-placed Harold Wood, who host fourth-placed Orsett & Thurrock tomorrow.

However, seventh-placed Hadleigh sit 16 points above the drop zone.

And skipper Adam Soilleux is therefore keen to secure a vital victory in an eagerly-anticipated encounter.

“Our first game against Southend this season was rained off, so this fixture is much anticipated,” said Soilleux. “It’s a local derby, so that always adds that edge to the game, however both teams will be searching for a win.

“We had a disappointing game against Billericay and so will be looking to bounce back.

“We had been performing well before last Saturday, so it was very disappointing to perform poorly like we did.

“Although we are seventh, mathematically we could still go down so a win would secure safety.”

But Soilleux still feels the Seasiders will be feeling the heat more ahead of this weekend.

“I feel more pressure will be on Southend as they need the win to continue in their quest for second place, with Harold Wood only a few points behind in third,” said Soilleux.

“We’ve again had to make some changes to the team but I feel these changes have made the team stronger and I am confident we can get a result.

“On paper Southend have a very strong team but if we match some of the performances we put on during our run of six wins in seven then it will definitely be a good game.”