FOOTBALL action this weekend sees the borough's teams taking on both FA Trophy challengers and struggling Conference South league rivals.

Aveley travel to Cray Wanderers on Sunday for a 1pm tilt at the Trophy, hoping to bounce back from last weekend's FA Cup disappointment.

Manager Amin Levitt's been racked with injury, suspension and work committment problems from some of his key players, but Nathan Elder should be back at the weekend and perhaps the tough clash will see a first outing for Millers new boy Barrie Simmons.

The teenage left-footed midfielder has not played at this level before but has looked good in training and was on the bench at the weekend.

League high fliers East Thurrock United continue to do well in the League but will be donning their Trophy heads on Saturday when they journey to Hastings.

The Sussex side are on a FA Cup high as well as lying seventh in Ryman Div One and will be a tough test for Lee Patterson's men.

Tilbury's away Trophy match on Saturday is against Ryman League Division One Fleet. On-the-rack Dockers boss Paul Joynes and his boys will have to be out of their beds earlier than usual though. Their match starts at 12.30 so that fans can also get to a screen in time for the England match later in the afternoon.

Forwards Shaun Hale and 21-year-old striker Richard Mealey could be Fleet's danger men at Calthorpe Park.

Conference South clashes in the borough see Thurrock travelling to St Albans on Friday.

In terms of league positions --Saints are second from bottom -- Thurrock should nail this one. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

Thurrock remain in sixth slot but need more league consistency if they are to challenge for the top three places in the Conference South.

Grays face another pack of basement rats -- Welling United -- on Saturday. Luckless Welling are at bottom of the league, but Grays have struggled with their consistency in the last few weeks.