The south Essex curtain comes down on Saturday on a London League season in which only Southend will look back in anguish.

Defeat for the relegated seasiders at home to fellow strugglers Cheshunt would mean 16 straight L1 defeats, but manager Gerry Lamb says: "Our players are very keen to end the season well and our good youngsters, plus some new players could do better nest year."

L1 rivals Thurrock might snatch a narrow victory at Woodford, while in Division Three, Essex Cup finalists Rochford and Basildon aim to tie up top-five spots.

Rochford visit West Norfolk without star full-back Jamie Banks (hand infection), who has a badly-infected hand.

Neil Cushing unexpectedly returns from injury, joining Huw Derrick and Richard O'Connor in Rochford's 18-man squad.

Much-changed Basildon, still reeling from Craig McLelland's broken jaw, visit lowly Old Edwardians.

McLelland and skipper Jamie Howard are out. Prop Gary Smith reverts to no 8 and Ian Crease comes into the front row.

Richard Dennis is unavailable, Stuart Adams moves to prop and Dave Lupton starts.

With stalwart Huw Parsons injured, Paul Bushell switches from centre to scrum-half and Carl Selway comes in at centre.

Canvey host Newmarket with skipper Tony Matthews saying: "We had a bad start, with a very rewarding middle section, and have been suffering an injury-challenged last third of the season."

Jason Carter is out, Jamie Saunders doubtful and veteran centre Geoff Burder steps in.

The Eastern Counties League still has three weeks left, with Westcliff hoping to leapfrog their visitors Upminster into fifth in EC1.

Division Two winners and Tetley's Bitter Vase Finalists Billericay visit Harwich.

Wayne Hallett, Mark Hughes, and John Wicks replace Tony Bond, Martin Green and John Stevens.

South Woodham's fight for second spot faces a crucial test at rivals Mersea. Stanford , second in EC3, hope to end hosts East London's 100 per cent record. EC4 strugglers Rayleigh are at second-top May.

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