Parson Drove face Needham Market U23s in biggest Thurlow Nunn League First Division North game of the season

Parson Drove are gearing up for the biggest game of the season at the weekend.

Arran Duke’s side face off against Needham Market U23s on Saturday in a re-arranged clash, with the original fixture called off during last month’s cold snap.

Drove remain rooted to the foot of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North standings and are five points behind this week’s opponents.

However, they do have five games in hand – but cannot afford any slip-ups if they wish to close the gap.

A busy February could hold the key to whether or not Drove can stave off relegation this season, and the next week may prove pivotal.

Following Saturday’s Needham game, Duke’s side will host eighth-placed Norwich CBS as they look to push up the standings.

They haven’t played since a 2-2 draw with Haverhill Borough on January 14, when Thomas Kendrick’s late equaliser earned a share of the points.

Drove haven’t won in the league since a stunning 3-0 triumph over second-placed Heacham back in late October, and will be hoping to put that barren run behind them come the end of play on Saturday.