TODAY's (Saturday, 14 March) Isthmian premier derby at New Lodge could be a classic, as Aveley make the short trip to Billericay with a point to prove – and a sense of grudge in the air.

The form guide normally goes out of the window for a match like this, but the sides are on a par after recent performances, with Millers sitting second in the table and Billericay are fifth. In the last ten games, only Billericay in the league have secured more points than Aveley.

The sides drew 3-3 in the league at Parkside in December but notched a 3-0 winhttps://thurrock.nub.news/sports/football/millers-in-senior-cup-final-after-fine-win-at-parkside-5763 in the Essex Senior Cup semi-final on 12 January.

However, that result was thrown out and Billericay put through to the final after Millers fielded an ineligible player – a fact known to the Billericay management team head by former Aveley boss Danny Scopes. The conduct of Billericay left a bad taste in the mouth of Millers boss Brett Munyard who said Billericay's sportsmanship 'stinks'.

So the stage is set for a memorable afternoon. The Millers have sustained a lot of injuries to key players over the last few weeks but still showed killer instinct by putting four goals past Whitehawk in a 4-2 victory last time out.

After three successive matches when they have had a man sent off, Grays Athletic's hopes when they entertain second-placed Maldon & Tiptree inn the Isthmian North at Chadfields today will be to have 11 men on the pitch.

They will also be looking to get some points on the board after a win, draw and defeat in those last three outings under interim managers Paul Joynes and Mitch Hahn but it will be a difficult task against a Jammers side that has spent a lot of money in the chase of its title ambition.

The visitors sit three points behind leaders Felixstowe but have two games in hand. However, they will not want to see that gap increase as the season draws to a climax.

Grays, who lost 3-1 at Maldon in December, also have an eye on league position. They sit in 16^th, four points and three places above the drop zone so they are still in need of points on their run-in to ensure Step Four football next season. They will take hope from a win last time out when they beat Wroxham 1-0 in midweek.

Tilbury's slim hopes of climbing up to the play-off zone in the same division have taken a dip recent, with erratic results including a goalless home draw with Cambridge City last weekend. However, they will have high hopes of getting a win at struggling Heybridge Swifts who are third from bottom.

East Thurrock Community FC - who sit second in the Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division, a point behind Sudbury Sports with two matches in hand - have played just one  league game since 24 January and they won't have a chance to add to their points tally today.

However, they do have the opportunity to reach the league's Knock-out Cup fourth round with a win at First Division Rodings & Waltham, kick-off 2.30pm at Little Waltham Sports and Social Club.

Rodings sit second with 14 wins from 19 league matches to their credit, so it won't be an easy ride for the visitors.