Chelmsford City play their first Dr Martens League match of 1999 on New Year's Day, when they entertain Raunds Town at New Lodge, Billericay (kick-off 3pm).

Raunds have had a reasonable first half to the season, but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Baldock Town on Monday. City will be confident of gaining maximum points to maintain the pressure on the teams at the top of the Southern Division.

On Sunday (January 3), City are on their travels, when they visit fellow promotion rivals, Havant & Waterlooville. City will be seeking revenge for the 2-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Hampshire club on the opening day of the season.

On Tuesday (January 5), City make the shorter trip, to Canvey Island for an Essex Senior Cup tie (kick-off 7.30pm).

Slough Town is the destination for Heybridge Swifts on Saturday as they strive to move away from the lower reaches of the Ryman League Premier Division.

Swifts have never played Slough, who are managed by former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts, but Robbie Nihill's side, boosted by Monday's win over Billericay Town, know that a good start to 1999 could stand them in good stead in their battle to avoid relegation.

On Tuesday (January 5), Swifts meet Braintree Town at Cressing Road in an Essex Senior Cup tie (kick-off 7.30pm).

Billericay Town will be looking to get back into Ryman League winning ways with a Premier Division home match against Bromley, while in division one, Braintree Town entertain Staines Town at Cressing Road.

Staines have had a mixed first half to the campaign, with four wins from 21 games to date.

However, the Iron will not be treating their visitors lightly and will be concentrating on winning three points as they bid to make it three successive promotion winning seasons.

Witham Town host Hemel Hempstead in a Ryman League second division fixture, and a victory for George Young's charges should move them further away from the relegation zone.

In the Jewson League, Maldon Town entertain Warboys at Park Drive.

Like Maldon, Warboys are situated in the wrong third of the premier division and Maldon will be looking to go one better than on Boxing Day, when they let a 2-0 lead slip at Halstead Town and had to be content with a point from a 2-2 draw.

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