THERE are early starts for today's (Thirsday, 26 December) Boxing Day derbies in the borough.

At Parkside, Aveley play host to Hornchurch in the Vanarama National League South, a match which is upped in importance by the Millers perilous position, adrift in the drop zone after the weekend defeat at Bath.

At the EMR Stadium in Tilbury, the landlords play host to tenants as Grays Athletic visit.

Both teams have struggled of late so will be seeking not just local bragging rights, but also their aspirations from promotion from the Isthmian North. Tilbury lost at Wroxham at the weekend, while Grays suffered a big defeat at the hands of Walthamstow that manager Danny Manning described as 'horrendous'.

The matches at Parkside and Tilbury kick-off at 1pm, with those planing to go to the EMR advices to set off early as only one turnstile is likeley to be in operation.