GRAHAM Kemp has described Christchurch’s Wessex Premier showdown with Alresford Town as “sudden death” for his title contenders.

Kemp’s men host the league leaders tomorrow having notched only a point from their past two games.

And although third-placed Priory are just two points behind Alresford, with a game in hand, Kemp feels allowing the Hampshire outfit to move five clear would be too much.

Kemp said: “We played Alresford in October and I felt then that they were the best side we had faced. They’re not the strongest physically, but they are the best footballing team in the division in my opinion. The fact they are top of the league says a lot about that.

“We are hanging in there but there are probably six teams that could win the league now, us included. But it is a must-win game, I feel. It really is sudden death for us now.”

Ben Osborne returns to the Priory squad having missed the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth Poppies last week due to illness, while tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of Priory striker Marc Burrows’s passing from cancer.

Kemp added: “’Buzz’ will be very much in our thoughts when we line up against Alresford and we will be aiming to get a victory for him. We all miss him hugely.”

Priory: (from) Frampton, Thompson, Magookin, Crutchley, Lloyd, Smith, Burden, Yelland, Griffin, Cornick, Puckett, Dand, Legg, Osborne, Collins.