AVELEY will be hoping to maintain top spot in the BetVictor Isthmian North today (Saturday, 1 February) when they travel to Histon.

The Millers were left frustrated by Tuesday night's postponement at Basildon United, and were last in action last weekend with a 4-2 home win over Witham Town.

They have strengthened their squad today by signing midfielder Alfie Hilton.

Hilton is a play-making midfielder who can play on both wings and down the middle of needed. He made 18 appearances for Great Wakering before departing halfway through January.

During the 2017-18 season he made 39 appearances for Brentwood Town, scoring four goals, goals coming against Romford, Waltham Abbey, Mildenhall Town and Grays Athletic. The season after (2018-19) Hilton played the whole season for Brentwood Town again scoring five goals in 37 appearances. Hilton has also played for Romford, Ilford and Bowers & Pitsea.

Heading into today's game at Bridge Road, the hosts sit in eighth place in the table, with 33 points to their name.

The sides met at Parkside early in the season when Aveley came back from two goals behind to win 3-2.

There will be action at Parkside this afternoon when Grays Athletic face bottom club Romford - whose expected revival under the extraordinary ownership and leadership of Glen Tamplin has failed to materialise.

He was last at Parkside on Monday when Romford hired the pitch to try and catch up on a fixture backlog. He spent much of the game against Hullbridge Sports with his head in his hands and left before the end as his expensively assembled side went down 2-1.

Heybridge Swifts were due to play host to Tilbury, who bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup in midweek after a sterling performance against National League Dagenham and Redbridge (Click red button below for report) today but the match has been postponed following a pitch inspection this morning.

In the Isthmian Premier today East Thurrock United face a tough task with a home fixture against second-placed Folkestone.

However, John Coventry's side may fancy their chances after an unbeaten January in the league, capped by a battling draw at Kingstonians on Wednesday.

Grays Athletic will be back in action at Parkside on Monday when they face Billericay Town in the Essex Senior Cup. The match has been postponed several times and has now been switched to Parkside to ensure it goes ahead. That means Tuesday's scheduled league derby with Tilbury is off.