IT'S almost a case of déjà vu for East Thurrock United - who were today (Monday, 5 September) paired with Biggleswade Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

The Rocks made it through to the next round, scheduled to be played on Saturday, 17 September, by beating Biggleswade FC 2-1 at the weekend. Both Bedfordshire clubs play in the Southern Central Division of the Southern League. A third Biggleswade side, Biggleswade United, play in the United Counties League Premier Division South

Going further back, Rocks have played Town in a previous cup encounter. Rocks beat them 1-0 away in 2017, the season they went on to reach the fourth qualifying round where they made the first round draw after a home draw with Ebbsfleet but lost out on a home tie against Doncaster Rovers when they lost the replay 3-0.

Grays Athletic will also face a team from Bedfordshire in the next round.

They have been drawn at home to Spartan South Midlands Football League Shefford Town and Campton - who beat Dunstable Town 2-0 in the previous round. By a strange quirk, in the previous round Grays might have faced Dunstable's other side, Dunstable AFC but they were beaten by Edgeware and Kingsbury - who Grays beat 4-1 on Saturday to qualify.

Shefford Town and Campton currently top the table in the South Midlands Premier Division, having won four league matches out of four.

The reward for the winners of Aveley's replay at Potters Bar tomorrow night is a home second round qualifying tie against Millers' neighbours and longstanding rivals Romford of the Essex Senior League who pulled off something of a cup upset to beat Hashtag United 3-2 in the last round at Mayesbrook Park.

If Aveley do win through it is likely they will play on the Saturday (17 Sept) at Parkside, with their tenants Grays reverting to Sunday to host a tie. However, if Aveley go out Parkside would be free on the Saturday as the scheduled Isthmian Premier match with Carshalton Athletic is off as the Robins are still in the cup.

The second qualifying round winners receive £3,375 and the losers £1,125.