BASILDON United and Southend Manor face off in the Essex Senior League this weekend, with a familiar face returning to Gardiners Close.

Aaron Bloxham, Bees manager last season, was recently named Manor assistant manager.

They suffered a blow when striker Nathan Dewberry was ruled out for eight weeks on his debut in Manor’s Errington Challenge Cup win on Tuesday - their first win in five matches, and they face a tough ask against Basildon.

The current leaders have won 12 of their 16 matches so far this season, and Basildon manager Marc Harrison wants more of the same.

“We want to keep going,” he said. “We don’t get ahead of ourselves and the league is our priority. It doesn’t matter who we play but it will be a tough game “Southend Manor have got some good guys in and they will believe they can improve. Maybe their bad patch has already happened.”

Chris Charlery is out, Jack Adlington and Luke Hornsley return having been cup-tied.

Rob Hodgson and Aaron Hunwicks will oversee their final game in charge at Hullbridge Sports in the FA Vase, with Wembley the visitors to Lower Road.

The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side, who were beaten by Bowers & Pitsea en route to the semi-final of the competition two seasons ago, will be a tough ask for Sports.

Hodgson says he will still be without a host of first-team players although Howard Wright returns, with Ollie Quick and Michael Edgar in contention.

Great Wakering Rovers host FC Romania in the FA Vase in what manager Iain O’Connell described as the ‘biggest game of the season so far’.

“It is a massive game for the club,” said the Wakering chief. “The boys would love a good run and it is our biggest game of the season so far. We will be ready.”

Rovers will be without Steve Butterworth, Jake Kirby and Jake Gordon for the second round clash.