THE local non-league match of the day takes place at Tilbury's EMR Stadium, Chadfields on Boxing Day (26 December) when the visitors are East Thurrock United.

It seems a far cry from the last Bank Holiday meeting between the Isthmian North sides in August, when Tilbury boss John Coventry made a return to the ground where he was in charge for more than a decade and saw the Dockers leave Rookery Hill with a 2-1 win.

That bright start to the season ebbed away and Tilbury are now in the bottom half of the table while East Thurrock, who suffered a miserable first two months of the season, have since shown a remarkable turn round and a win at Chadfields could see them enter the play-off zone, though it would take a surprise win for lowly Gorleston in their derby with landlords Lowestoft for that to happen.

The Chadfields derby kicks off at 1pm, as does Grays' home clash with Witham Town.

The Blues have not been in the best of form of late and have slipped out of the promotion zone and go into the match in ninth, though that is four places and 13 points above their visitors so home fans will be expecting a positive outcome.

Aveley, who could drop to eighth depending on Boxing Day's Isthmian Premier results, are in action of Tuesday (27 December)  with a 1pm kick-off

They travel to face Corinthian Casuals at the United Business Group Stadium in Tolworth.

Casuals are in the drop zone and the match presents a great opportunity for Aveley to end what has been a memorable year on a high and get closer o the play-off zone after the disappointment of their pre-Christmas defeat at Billericay and a recent dip in form.