BOROUGH sides will be hoping to start the new year with a change in fortune - particularly Vanarama National South Aveley who start the second half of the season in the drop zone.

In contrast to last season when the Millers made the play-offs in their first ever season at Step Three, this campaign has been a struggle.

So where better than to start a new year with fresh hope than at the ground of Essex neighbours Chelmsford City.

The Clarets are sat in mid table and they did Millers a favour at the weekend by beating Welling United, who sit one place above Danny Scopes' side - though fourth from bottom and fifth are separated by eight points.

The win at Welling proved to be the only one in December for City, who also bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup in their quarter-final at Waltham Abbey.

So, Aveley will feel they have the sniff of a chance and will be looking to build on the Boxing Day derby draw with Hornchurch.

It's the same story of hope in the Isthmian North.

Both Tilbury and Grays have fallen out of the promotion zone and will want to kick-start their season with new year wins.

Tilbury make the trek to Haringey Borough, while Grays are at home to neighbours Basildon United.

Haringey are in the drop zone, with just four wins to their name in the first half of the season so Dockers will travel in optimistic vein, but they will have to lift the level of performance from Saturday's disappointing goalless draw at bottom club Ipswich Wanderers.

Grays, in tenth, are five places above Basildon but also know they will have to do better than they did at the weekend when held 1-1 at home by lower-reach Mildenhall.