AFTER a carefully-plotted pre-season campaign of seven matches against challenging opposition, Aveley start their Isthmian Premier campaign with a home clash against Eastbourne Borough today (Saturday, 8 August).

Millers' run of friendly matches brought three wins and three defeats, culminating in a testing 4-0 defeat at National League Southend last weekend.

Throughout the campaign manager Brett Munyard has delivered constructive verdicts on the lessons learned and goes into the season in upbeat mode.

One thing the pre-season games (wins against Folkestone Invicta, Braintree Town, Brightlingsea Regent and Canvey and defeats against Leiston, Ebbsfleet and the Shrimpers) had in common was goals, Millers scored 18 times, but conceded 18 as well so an exciting journey ahead could await Aveley fans.

Millers will be on the road on Tuesday (12 August), for their second league fixture against newly-promoted Maldon & Tiptree.

After a final pre-season win against Southend United Youth in midweek, Tilbury get down to serious business today with a home FA Cup extra preliminary round tie against Wormley Rovers at Chadfields (3pm).

Broxbourne-based Rovers play in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division.

The visitors have already played two league matches, with two wins. They started with a 2-0 home success against Newport Pagnell Town last weekend and repeated that scoreline with victory at Colney Heath on Tuesday.

After the euphoria of successive wins in their two opening Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties South Division matches, East Thurrock Community FC were brought down to earth with defeat last Saturday at home to Stansted and a midweek league cup disappointment at Southend Manor.

However, they will hope to bounce back with another home match at Rookery Hill today, when Hoddesdon Town are the visitors.