THERE will be a double helping of FA Cup action to start the season properly at the EMR Stadium in Tilbury this weekend.

On Saturday (3 August) Tilbury will be at home to Essex Senior League Buckhurst Hill (3pm) in the extra preliminary round. Dockers go into the game bouyed by a decnt pre-season, which concluded last Tuesday with a well-deserved draw at Canvey Island.

The following day Grays Athletic, who groundshare at Chadfields, will kick-off their competitive campaign with another extra preliminary round clash, also against Essex Senior opposition in Hulbridge Sports. They will also go into the game on a high, having pulled back a three goal deficit against Sittingbourne in their last pre-season challenge. Sunday's match kicks off at 1pm.

Aveley, who suffered a home defeat at the hands of tenants Hashtag United on Tuesday, go to Cheshunt.