THERE'S no doubting where the outstanding sporting fixture of the borough weekend will be as the FA Cup takes centre stage.

Tilbury's EMR Stadium at Chadfields will play host to an Essex derby where the hosts will be attempting to add another giant-killing to the annals of the competition's illustrious history.

Dockers will welcome Vanarama National League South Chelmsford City on Saturday (14 September) for one of the round's most intriguing clashes.

Tilbury's league form in the Isthmian North, two tiers below Chelmsford, has been disappointing, with just one win and four points from four games. Their last outing on Tuesday was a 3-0 defeat at Walthamstow, who previously didn't have a point to their name.

However, it's been a different story in the cups for Dockers. They might not have been at their best, as illustrated in last weekend's FA Trophy 6-5 penalty win against Welwyn Garden City, but they have found a way to win when it matters and in the FA Cup they have banked wins (and quite a bit of prizemoney), seeing off the challenge of lower league sides Buckhurst Hill, Stanway Rovers and Brantham Athletic, though their last outing against Brantham required a two goal fightback at home and an away replay triumph.

Chelmsford will present a different challenge.

Though they have been indifferent form in their opening eight league matches the Clarets will arrive at Tilbury on the back of a 3-0 home win against Bath City last weekend, which in turn was preceded by a crushing 5-1 away triumph at Maidstone United. Prior to that they had three draws and three defeats to their name so are clearly on an upward trend.

Also showing recent improvement are Chelmsford's National League rivals Aveley, though Millers' last outing was 3-2 league defeat at Chesham when they will feel they lost their way, conceding two added time goals.

Before that they had a fine 1-1 draw at Torquay and a 3-1 home win against Dorking Wanderers so their pedigree is such, they will be expected to see off the FA Cup challenge of Saturday's visitors Royston Town, who play one level below in the South League Premier Central Division.

The Crows have just two league wins from seven league outings and their last match was a 3-2 midweek defeat at Lowestoft.

They came through the first qualifying round by beating neighbours Bedford Town, though it required a replay when they won 3-0 at Bedford, having drawn 1-1 at home.

Grays Athletic, who enjoyed a good league win on Wednesday, are without a fixture this weekend, while in the Essex and Suffolk Border league East Thurrock Community FC are still seeking a first point and they may find the going tough at home to third-placed Barnston, who have lost just once.