Hiren Desai’s men lost to Acton last time out and need a response on Saturday

Crouch End need to bounce back at home to Middlesex County League Division Three leaders Brentham this weekend after losing a key fixture last time out.

The Calthorpe club, who were only promoted in 2017, have been in the top two for most of the campaign.

Although they are second, a defeat away to third-placed Acton last Saturday has put the pressure on heading into the fixture with Brentham.

Crouch End failed to excel with the bat last time out and lost by six wickets in a crucial clash with a promotion rival.

Acton won the toss and put the visitors into bat first on Saturday and the away side were quickly reduced to 45-3.

James Jenkins helped start the recovery with 30 and 61 by Jalpesh Vijay enabled Crouch End to go pass 100, but once the wicket-keeper was out they were dismissed for 167.

Amandeep Dhaliwal (2-39) and Ryan Cunningham (2-41) made inroads when Acton began their chase, but the hosts got home comfortably and just 10 points separates the two promotion rivals now.