Whyteleafe boss John Fowler believes Erith Town will be out for revenge when they visit Church Road this weekend.

The last time the sides met, Leafe ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Jason Thompson, Taylor Smith and Jensen Grant in a performance Fowler described as a “footballing lesson” for Erith.

Victory for Leafe, lying third in the Southern Counties East League, could see them leapfrog Phoenix Sports and Ashford United to the top spot.

Fowler said: “We know Erith well, they have players who are familiar to us having played for Leafe before as well as Chipstead and the like.

“But when we beat them at their place, it was a comfortable 3-0 – in reality it could easily have been six.

“I can see them coming to us looking to prove something after we’d given them a footballing lesson.

“But we should have enough about us to take all the points.”

Leafe lost club legend and youth team manager Stuart Massey to Carshalton Athletic after he accepted the top spot at the Ryman Premier League strugglers.

Fowler said: “Stuart came to me about two weeks before he took the job saying Carshalton were sounding him out about the job.

“I told him if it comes up, then he should take it. It’s a good move for Stuart, he has not managed at a senior level for some time and this will get him back in the spotlight.”

He added: “I just hope Carshalton have taken him on with a long-term view, rather than expecting him to get them out of the problems they are in. I believe they have taken him on with next season in mind.”

Massey remains hopeful of being involved with the Leafe youth set-up in some way, although logistically Fowler admits it would be difficult.

He said: “He has worked with the younger players, he has worked with many of them for years and brought them up through the ranks.

“But if he can remain involved is a tough call, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Wimbledon Times:

Off: Stuart Massey is the new boss of Carshalton Athletic