THE FA Trophy holds centres stage for local non-League football this afternoon with both Aveley and Grays seeking to win through from the third qualifying round of the competition.

Isthmian Grays are at home at Parkside to Faversham Town, who play at the same step four level and are having a poor start to their league campaign in the Isthmian  South East division where they sit second from bottom with just four points from seven matches.

In contrast Grays sit second in their table. All the odds appear to be in Grays favour, but Blues fans may be a little nervous following their side's home defeat in the FA Cup at home to lowly Shefford Town and Campton. Nothing can be taken for granted this afternoon, especially as Grays saw a four game winning run come to an end when a much-changed side lost to Tilbury in the Velocity Cup in midweek.

Grays boss Lewis Dark will believe resting players and going out of a cup that's not highly rated will have been a decision worth taking with victory today.

Aveley travel to fellow Isthmian Premier Horsham who sit sixth in the table, three places behind the Millers in third. Danny Scopes' side will feel they have a good chance in a match (like that at Parkside) played to a finish on the day, with extra time and penalties if needed.

In the Isthmian league both Tilbury and East Thurrock have lengthy trips to Suffolk and have tough matches ahead.

The Dockers got to top-of-the-table Lowestoft who have a 100 per cent record in the league. They could increase their lead at the top to eight points with a win against Tilbury who have only two victories in league and have lost their last three league matches in succession.

East Thurrock have just one league win, and four points to their name, and go north to meet a Bury Town side who sit sixth in the table and are unbeaten with three wins and three draws to their name in the competition to date.