BILLERICAY Town will be looking to bounce back from their 3-0 opening day defeat as they host Eastbourne Borough on Saturday in National League South action, reports Leon Imber.

The visitors themselves endured a torrid first match as, despite having their opponents Hampton and Richmond reduced to 10 men for 67 minutes, they suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Gary McCann’s side.

After suffering heavy defeats, both Billericay and Eastbourne will be desperate to put things right at the New Lodge, in what is set to be an entertaining encounter.

Elsewhere in the division, Concord Rangers will look to make it two wins in as many matches with their trip to Oxford City.

City drew 1-1 against Braintree Town on opening day, whereas Chris Search’s new-look Beachboys impressively beat Dorking Wanderers 1-0.

Concord struggled to build any kind of consistent form in the 2020/21 campaign, and that is something that Search’s side will be looking to rectify in the current campaign.

In the Isthmian Premier Division, East Thurrock United will host Bognor Regis, while Bowers and Pitsea make the journey down south to Worthing.

Rob Small’s Bowers side were narrowly edged out in a 3-2 defeat against Leatherhead last weekend.

Bradley Sach was twice on the scoresheet for his side, as they were unable to avoid defeat; but there were plenty of positives to take from their performance.

The same may not have been able to be said for East Thurrock, as they fell to a resounding 3-0 defeat against Cheshunt on opening day.

But the Rocks will be eager to put it right in front of their fans against a Bognor Regis side that were held to a 0-0 stalemate against Bisho’s Stortford last weekend.

There is FA Cup action in store for sides in the eighth tier and below this weekend in the Preliminary Round.

Canvey Island enjoyed great success in the cup last season, as they made it all the way to the second round.

However, they were denied a route into the third-round hat as they lost out 3-0 to Borehamwood.

Their FA Cup campaign starts this weekend with the visit of Waltham Abbey, members of the Southern League Division One Central.

Hullbridge Sports will make the trip to Wadham Lodge as they take on Walthamstow.

Darren Manning’s side were eliminated from the competition last year via a 1-0 defeat against Ashford Town.

Hashtag United enjoyed a well-documented run in the qualification stages of the cup last season, but eventually fell short against Braintree.

Manager Jay Devereux will want an equally spirited cup run from his side, with ambitions of making the first round proper.

Elsewhere, Basildon United are to host Essex Senior League side White Ensign, whilst Great Wakering Rovers take on Heybridge Swifts at Burroughs Park.