CLASH of the day in the Isthmian North is undoubtedly the meeting between top two Hashtag United and AFC Sudbury, but local attention will be firmly on Parkside where Grays Athletic and Tilbury resume a derby rivalry that stretches back lifetimes.

Grays, founded in 1890, predate the Dockers by just nine years and for decades passions between the two have run deep – in the mid 1900s matches between the two attracted thousands.

There won't be that many at Parkside today (Saturday, 25 February) where kick-off is at 2pm but those that do turn up will be watching with fascination as two sides attempt to bounce back from recent disappointing runs and claim local bragging rights.

Both need the points – but for different reasons.

Grays sit a point and a place from the play-off zone but might have been even higher but for a recent slump that saw them go four matches without a win and a goal until last Saturday they managed to eke out a 2-1 at struggling Gorleston.

That win did Tilbury a favour as it kept the seaside team in the bottom four and the relegation zone – above which Tilbury sit fifth from bottom but only a point away from their two nearest chasers.

So the stakes between two sides who will groundshare at Chadfields next season are high today, with Dockers' boss Scott Dash facing his first derby, affectionately known by both sets of supporters as El Chavico.

Elsewhere in the division East Thurrock United could also play a role in the relegation issues. They travel to Hullbridge Sports, one of the two teams just below Tilbury.

The Rocks still have hopes of a late run of form that might get them into the play-off mix and go into the match in eight, buoyed by successive wins against Bury and Great Wakering Rovers. 

In the Isthmian Premier second-placed Aveley travel to Herne Bay and will be hopeful of furthering their promotion quest against a Kent side that sit third from bottom and have already lost six of their 14 homes matches, winning just three.

Aveley are likely to include new signing Josh Fawole in their squad after he came off the bench to make a debut lat in last Saturday's win against Lewes.

The American-born striker has joined after spells at National League sides Aldershot Town and Maidstone United.

The 25-year-old started his football career in the States playing for Baltimore Bohemians before joining FC Baltimore in National Premier Soccer League scoring 10 in nine games.

Josh Fawole. Picture by Kevin Lamb (Lambpix).

Fawole was selected 42nd overall in the MLS SuperDraft in 2020 by DC United. Though D.C. United declined to make him an offer, Fawole did sign with their USL Championship affiliate, Loudoun United. He made his professional debut appearing as a 57th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Philadelphia Union II.

He played ten times for Loudon, scoring once, before signing for Aldershot Town of the National League, before immediately joining Farnborough on a short-term loan.

Fawole returned to Aldershot in January and went onto feature four times in all competitions before another loan move, this time joining Salisbury in February. A further loan took him to Southern League Premier Division South side Beaconsfield Town before he was Fawole was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.

In August last year Fawole joined Maidstone United, following a successful trial period and went onto make his debut during a 2–1 home victory over York City but he has not played for them since.

Leaving Aveley this week was midfielder Blaise Riley-Snow who has joined Isthmian South East side Ramsgate after making 22 appearances for the Millers.