AS teams of the fifth and sixth tier await their return to league football, Isthmian Premier Sides enter their second match day of the 2020/21 campaign, reports Leon Imber.

Bowers and Pitsea host Leatherhead in their first home outing of the season.

Rob Small’s side will be looking to shake off their midweek FA cup disappointment, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Hornchurch.

Leatherhead themselves suffered heartbreak after a gruelling 0-0 stalemate and eventual loss on penalties against Chertsey Town, and so will be gunning for victory in Pitsea this Saturday.

Elsewhere, East Thurrock United face Cray Wanderers at Rookery Hill.

Paul Martin will be looking for his side to arrest their poor form, as they have suffered two consecutive 1-0, in the league and the FA Cup.

Their opponents have hit the ground running, starting their campaign with two victories, scoring eight goals in the process.

East Thurrock will have to be at the top of their game to thwart their the rampant Wanderers.

Park Side will be the venue as Grays Athletic host Canvey Island.

Mark Bentley’s side make the short journey to Grays in good spirits after a comfortable 2-0 victory against Dereham in the FA Cup.

It’s derby day for the two sets of teams, with fans permitted to attend, the action is sure to be fierce.

There is also FA trophy action kicking off in Essex tomorrow.

Hullbridge Sports welcome Ashford Town to Lower Road and will be hoping to build upon their resounding 7-0 victory against Witham Town last weekend.

Callum Fitzer was fantastic for Darren Manning’s team in the first game of the season and will be looking to add to the two goals he has scored so far.

Ashford themselves had a winning start to their season, albeit by much less of a margin as they ran out 1-0 winners against Chalfont St Peter.

Great Wakering Rovers visit Felixstowe and Walton in their bid for FA Trophy success.

The two sides met just a week ago as they played out a 0-0 draw at Burroughs Park, and both teams will be looking to do one better this time round.

Basildon United also feature in an FA Trophy with a fixture against Northwood this Saturday.

Northwood were denied FA uCp qualification midweek as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Burnham, so will be desperate for success in the trophy competition.

Basildon have made numerous signings this week and so the starting line up could look drastically different to the one that lost 1-0 against Bury Town a week ago.

Lastly, in the Essex Senior League, Hashtag United travel to Sawbridgeworth Town.

Jay Devereux’s side have had an incredibly positive start to the season and head to Hertfordshire buoyed by their progression in the FA Cup qualification stages.

There is an incredibly good feeling around Spencer Owen’s club at the moment and they will be hoping for bay they can follow that up with another good result.