CLIFF Akurang knows how important every game is now for his Heybridge Swifts side.

After a string of good results Heybridge fell to back-to-back defeats in three days against sides around them struggling for survival in Ryman League division one north.

Swifts crashed to a 3-0 defeat at second-from-bottom Cray Wanderers on Saturday and then lost out 2-1 to Barkingside on Monday night.

And this weekend is another crunch encounter for Swifts when they take on another side battling to climb away from the relegation zone.

Heybridge entertain the side directly below them in the table in 19th place, but on the same 35 points, when they host Cheshunt.

Akurang said: “Every game is a six-pointer for us now.

“It’s very tight at the bottom of the table and a win gives you breathing space for another week.

“There are five to six teams down there, all on similar points, no-one is safe.”

And the Cheshunt game is no excpetion with a loss meaning falling closer to the drop zone for the loser.

But after two defeats on their travels Akurang is pleased to be returning to Scraley Road.

The Swifts boss said: “It is a massive game for us and we all know it.

“It will be nice to have a home game again and support from the fans.

“Hopefully they will be able to cheer us on and get us over the line.

“It is really helpful and is something that we missed in the last two games.”