The intriguing possibility of Essex providing all three promoted Ryman League Division Three sides at the end of the current campaign is looking increasingly likely to become a fact.

Newcomers Great Wakering Rovers, East Thurrock United and Aveley are currently the sides in the three pole positions - and many reckon that's the way it's likely to stay come May . . . although not necessarily in the current order.

In fact, Rocks are increasingly looking like potential champions. They've had good wins over Wakering and Aveley in recent times and moved just three points behind Rovers, with two games in hand, with a midweek win at Corinthian Casuals.

Aveley, for so long the proud holders of the longest unbeaten record in the League, have lost two of their last three Ryman games and could make that three tomorrow when they face a tough trip to Wakering.

It's a match Eddie Nash's village side, who've won six on the trot now, desperately want to win - particularly as it would also give them a major boost for tomorrow week's home bid to reach the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase . . . Liverpool giants Vauxhall visit Burroughs Park for the big game.

Much attention during Wakering's success story in their first season as a Ryman club has centred on the strike duo of Mark Hampshire and Paul Flack, both of whom have hit 21-goal tallies in all games so far.

However, the Wakering effort is very much a team one and there's no doubt that promotion at the first attempt would be a giant feat from a side who are capturing more and more spectator interest as the weeks go on.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.