CLIFF Akurang is expecting Saturday’s derby game to be one of the toughest of the season.

The Heybridge Swifts boss is preparing his side for the visit of Dengie neighbours Burnham Ramblers to Scraley Road in their Ryman League division one north encounter on Saturday.

Akurang will be hoping his side can bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against high-flying AFC Sudbury.

The loss saw a four-match Swifts’ unbeaten run come to an end and Akurang knows it will be a difficult proposition to get back to winning ways against the division’s basement boys.

A recent upturn in form from Bertie Brayley’s Ramblers has seen better performances from the Leslie Field side.

Akurang said: “I am expecting it to be one of the toughest games of the season.

“Especially because of the derby element and there will be the added pressure of more spectators.

“I will be telling the boys that we have to match Burnham’s work ethic and battling spirit.

“Hopefully we can get ourselves a goal in front and their heads will drop.

“But that’s not going to happen easily, it is something we are going to have to work hard for.

“I know Bertie. He has done what he can for the side in the time he has been there.

“The results have dramatically changed from the start of the season.

“It was only a matter of time before he turned it around.

“They were losing their games early on in the match to some heavy defeats.

“But now they are only losing by the odd goal.”