IT IS a "grudge match", but one that both Mike Maher and Dixie Dean are looking forward to.
Redhill meet Lingfield tonight in a festive derby that is sure to provide plenty of drama, with the managers predicting a Christmas cracker of a game as both sides battle for the chance to go into the new year ahead of their local rivals.
Redhill go into the game two points ahead of Lingfield, but if Dixie Dean's men were to win at Kiln Brow, they would leapfrog their opponents and go fifth in the Sussex County League Division One.
And Maher says that helps to give the game some added spice.
He said: "It is usually a grudge match and although it can be a scrappy game, it is usually a good one.
"I am sure it will be a frantic derby and we are all looking forward to it. These are the sorts of games that we are all in football for."
Maher added that his side would be looking to arrest their recent league form in the match, which has been put back a day to give players more time with their families over Christmas.
He said: "This is the kind of match that can help lift you and hopefully the players will perform to help get us out of this current slump."
Meanwhile, Dean said his side would be raring to go for the game as they bid to jump ahead of two local rivals in time for the second half of the season.
"It is a crucial time for us and we have a couple of games coming up in quick succession that are vitally important [Redhill and then East Grinstead on January 2].
"Both teams are just ahead of us at the moment and we will either fall away after these, or stay right on the coat tails of the teams at the top."
And that is just what Dean will be hoping for as he bids for a top three finish for his side this season.
"It is great for us to be up there near the top and if we can stay there after Christmas, we will be in good shape.
"We have had a few people banned and injured, but when they come back, we will be looking to push on. You wouldn't want to be facing the team that I can't play at the minute, because when they are all available, we have a good side."
However, Dean is not expecting anything but a tough game in the festive derby.
"It won't be easy going to Redhill," he said. "They have not been doing so well recently, but they will want to win against us, that is for sure.
"But I always like playing Redhill and East Grinstead – they are the big hitters around this area, but my record against them is pretty good." Dean will be without the suspended duo of Danny Oakins and Fred Fleming for the game, while Adam Broomhead is still recovering from injury.
Scott Simpson, however, will be available following a recent suspension.
For Redhill, Sean Kelly and Niall Egan will both be missing as they are in Ireland with their families for Christmas, but new signings Rodrigue N'diane and Chris Gregson will both be available after joining from Chatham Town and Colliers Wood United respectively.
