NATIONAL League South football makes its debut at Parkside today (Saturday, 12 August), when Taunton Town make the long trip west for Aveley's first home clash in the competition.

Last week saw a good performance for little reward when the Millers went down by an only goal at Chippenham but they will be looking to make a statement of their ability to compete at non-League's second tier today.

Two homeless clubs start of the opening day of the Isthmian North season, with Grays Athletic travelling to the R&D Advisors UK Stadium in Bishop's Stortford which is the venue where league newcomers Enfield ply their trade.

Grays are also without a permanent home of their own and currently groundshare at Tilbury, but hope to remedy that soon.

Both sides have a history going back more than 100 years and today's clash will want them both to lay down an opening day league marker.

Enfield, last season's Essex Senior league champions, already have a competitive win under their belt following last week's 2-0 victory over Coggeshall Town in the FA Cup but they will want to show they mean business against a side that made last season's promotion play-off.

Grays, under returning boss Mark Stimson, will be equally keep to show their promotion credentials are enhanced this time around.

Also in the Isthmian North, East Thurrock United will be hoping to build on an FA Cup success in the extra preliminary round. Last week they beat Essex Senior League Frenford and today the opposition steps up a grade with a visit to Rookery Hill by Wroxham.

In the Essex Senior League Tilbury will also be looking to build on a success. They claimed their first win in three league attempts in midweek and today they have a trip to FC Clacton – a journey they will repeat in a couple of weeks in the FA Vase.

The 2-0 win against Barking in midweek showed Dockers remain a stronger side on the road than at Chadfields and they will be looking to add three more away points.

They will also get the chance to rectify the home situation with a home clash on Tuesday against Sporting Bengal.