IT was another action-packed weekend of non-league football.

Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, East Thurrock United, Basildon United, Canvey Island, Great Wakering Rovers, Hullbridge Sports and Southend Manor were all in action.

And here are the five talking points of the weekend.

1 – Canvey doing it the hard way in the FA Cup

Canvey Island will go head-to-head with Bowers & Pitsea in a second local derby in the space of just four days tomorrow. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third qualifying round tie as the Gulls’ James White cancelled out Brad Warner’s opener. As a result, Canvey will compete in a replay for the third round in succession. Jason Hallett grabbed the winner in each of the replay wins over Waltham Abbey and St Ives Town, so Canvey will be hoping for a similar impact when the striker returns to the fold at the Len Salmon Stadium.

2 – Billericay’s change of style bearing fruit

Billericay Town have adjusted their style of play since Jamie O’Hara replaced Harry Wheeler in the hotseat last month. O’Hara is encouraging his side to play forward as much as possible and look to ask the opposition defenders questions, while using Jake Robinson’s intelligent runs to good effect. A 4-2 FA Cup third qualifying round victory over National League South rivals Bath City demonstrated the adjustments are working. Player-manager O’Hara remains unbeaten at the helm, having also beaten Basildon United and drawn with Dorking Wanderers, so the signs are promising.

3 – Hullbridge adjusting to life in the Isthmian North quickly

Hullbridge Sports were crowned the Essex Senior League champions on the final day of last term, resulting in the club embarking on their first ever campaign in the Isthmian North. And Sports have adjusted to life in the fourth tier of non-league football quickly. Having suffered a convincing 3-0 defeat to Witham Town on the opening day of the season, some may have questioned whether Hullbridge were up to the task. But Darren Manning insisted the players at his disposal were capable of making the step up and the men on the pitch have repaid the faith shown in them by suffering just two Isthmian North losses since. A 3-1 win over Felixstowe & Walton United on Saturday allowed Sports to break into the top 10.

4 – Manager of the month curse strikes at Wakering

Steve Butterworth was rewarded with the Isthmian North manager of the month award after leading Great Wakering Rovers through an unbeaten September. Butterworth’s side recorded domestic wins over Witham Town and Romford, while they also snatched a point at Basildon United thanks to a last-gasp equaliser. But the manager of the month curse is well-documented and Butterworth must be wishing he was overlooked for the accolade after four goals in the space of 11 first half minutes resulted in Wakering suffering a 4-1 loss at Histon.

5 – Coventry and East Thurrock tenacious with lack of numbers

East Thurrock United boss John Coventry has been struggling to name a full squad since the season got underway. On Saturday, Coventry could only name two substitutes – with one of them being grandson Jack Coventry-James – as Rocks made the trip to Worthing. A lack of numbers also resulted in the East Thurrock chief having to throw Mitch Gilbey and Alex Clark – who were returning from injuries – straight into the starting line-up. Despite the lack of numbers and falling behind on two occasions, Rocks still believed they could pick up a positive result at Worthing and they were rewarded as Ben Marlow’s 84th minute volley ensured a 3-2 Isthmian Premier League win.