Great Wakering Rovers face a tough start to their busy Christmas holiday programme tomorrow when they host Hemel Hempstead in the Ryman League Second Division at Burroughs Park tomorrow (Saturday).

Although the village side currently stand fifth in the table, their visitors are second - being led only by Barking - and Eddie Nash's men will need to be at their best if they are to get any reward.

Certainly, Wakering were not lacking in spirit on Tuesday night when they hosted the top dogs in an Associate Members Cup game, which Barking eventually won 2-1 after extra-time.

Rovers follow Saturday's affair with a trip across Essex to play Wivenhoe on Boxing Day.

That match has a 12 noon kick-off and could well be another ding-dong affair.

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