IT IS FA Cup time again with a host of Essex clubs starting out on the trail which ends at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in May next year.Today the hopefuls include Wivenhoe Town of the Ryman League against Soham Town Rangers from the Ridgeons League and Maldon Town who travel to Boreham Wood.

IT IS FA Cup time again with a host of Essex clubs starting out on the trail which ends at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in May next year.

Today the hopefuls include Wivenhoe Town of the Ryman League against Soham Town Rangers from the Ridgeons League and Maldon Town who travel to Boreham Wood.

Witham Town go to Enfield Town in a tie that has switched to tomorrow.

One club hopeful of a decent FA Cup run is Maldon Town, where manager Colin Wallington has been able to bolster his squad with some shrewd signings in the summer.

Maldon have kicked off well in the Ridgeons League and are tucked in behind leaders Newmarket with a game in hand.

Colin Wallington said: “I'm fairly pleased with the start to the season. We have been very strong at the back, we are not giving goals away where Sean Bell has come in alongside Neil Shade, and Paul Catley must be the best keeper in this league.

“It has been a bit hit and miss up front, though Ian Brown has been playing well, but Tommy Noble and Neil Docking are coming back now.”

Maldon's much-travelled striker Ian Brown, who was at Clacton last season, said: “There is always a special atmosphere in the FA Cup.

“We are at Boreham Wood, who must be favourites to beat us having come down from the Ryman Premier but we have started the season pretty well. If they allow us to play I am sure we will give them a good game.

“Sometimes when you are away from home, and not expected to win, you can just enjoy yourself and get a result.”

Brown has played FA Cup games at all levels and was part of the Bristol City team which had a famous third-round replay victory at Anfield in 1993/94. It turned out to be Graeme Souness's last game in charge of Liverpool.

“We had drawn 1-1 at home,” he said, “with Wayne Allison getting the goal. And Brian Tinnion scored the winner up there. The team was full of stars including John Barnes.

“We beat Stockport in the fourth round and went out to Charlton in the fifth.

“And when I was at Sudbury we played Brighton and Brentford.”

Maldon squad: Catley, Carter, Wilson, Bell, Shade, Rayner, Smith, Coe, Huttley, Noble, Brown, Docking, Parker, Sumner, Emerson and Goodacre.

Meanwhile, in the league, Chelmsford City, who are bottom of the Dr Martens League Premier Division after a dreadful start to the season, bid for three points at home to Moor Green today.

City boss Steve Mosely has a few selection headaches, particularly in midfield where the experienced Matt Jones will be hoping for a recall after missing Monday's defeat against Nuneaton.

Likewise, teenager Gareth Street will be after a rare start as the Clarets look to drag themselves away from the foot of the Dr Martens table.

City have lost the services of on-loan striker Luke Corbett after he was involved in a car accident on his way home from Nuneaton.

The 19-year-old Cheltenham Town player's injuries are not life-threatening but will rule him out for some time.

Ryman League Heybridge Swifts return to first-team action as Kingstonian visit Scraley Road.

Manager Mark Hawkes has a few injury worries to contend with. Although Neil Cousins is now back in the squad after a hamstring strain, skipper John Pollard continues to struggle with ankle and back complaints.

Former Colchester United and Ipswich Town star Mick Stockwell, who left Heybridge recently after joining them in the summer, has signed for Ridgeons League Woodbridge Town and is expected to make his debut today.

david.vincent@eadt.co.uk