JUSTIN Gardner will make an early return to Billericay Town after his Barking side were drawn against the defending champions in the first round of the Alan Turvey League Cup.

Town thrashed Tonbridge Angels 8-3 in last year's final, with Gardner on the Town coaching staff.

And Isthmian North newcomers Barking are likely to provide a stern test having recruited well this summer, with Gardner appointed as first-team manager in June.

Bowers & Pitsea welcome Grays Athletic to the Len Salmon Stadium in another exciting first round clash.

While Canvey Island have also secured a home draw. They will play Brentwood Town at the Frost Hire Stadium.

Other fixtures: AFC Hornchurch v Aveley, AFC Sudbury v Brightlingsea Regent, Ashford United v Greenwich Borough, Billericay Town v Barking, Bowers & Pitsea v Grays Athletic, Canvey Island v Brentwood Town, Carshalton Athletic v Dorking Wanderers, Cheshunt v Waltham Abbey, Chipstead v Leatherhead, Enfield Town v Hertford Town, Faversham Town v Hythe Town, Harlow Town v Bury Town, Harrow Borough v Metropolitan Police, Heybridge Swifts v Mildenhall Town, Horsham v Burgess Hill Town, Maldon & Tiptree v Leiston, Margate v East Grinstead Town, Potters Bar Town v Ware, Romford v Tilbury, Sittingbourne v Ramsgate, Soham Town Rangers v Witham Town, South Park v Molesey, Staines Town v Dulwich Hamlet, Thamesmead Town v Phoenix Sports, Tonbridge Angels v Herne Bay, Tooting & Mitcham Utd v Merstham, VCD Athletic v Folkestone Invicta, Walton Casuals v Kingstonian, Whyteleafe v Corinthian Casuals, Wingate & Finchley v Haringey Borough, Worthing v Shoreham