FOOTBALL: NON LEAGUE football fans in Thurrock were again left matchless at the weekend when the weather scuppered any chance of games being played.

Waterlogged pitches meant that Grays Athletic’s visit to Billericay was off as was the hoped-for derby between Aveley and Paul Vaughan’s Tilbury. Fleet’s visit to Brentwood Town was another victim of the torrential downpour.

East Thurrock United did not have a fixture scheduled for last weekend. But despite this paucity of play there has been a fair amount of activity on the non league scene this week.

Tilbury has seen the departure of first team goalkeeper Chico Ramos who has now joined Dulwich Hamlet.

The 30-year-old Portuguese keeper joined the Dockers in August.

And he made an immediate impact, putting in repeated Man-of-the-Match performances and keeping the Vaughan’s side in games with plenty of classy saves.

He made 25 appearances for the Dockers.

The Dockers have signed Tristan Hickman on a work experience deal from Dagenham & Redbridge.

The 18-year-old Norwegian keeper – who was born in Cyprus – has been involved with Essex Senior League side Barking this season.

This weekend Tilbury are due to play Heybridge Swifts. Fifth from top Swifts are looking like a team on a roll at present and the Dockers – nine places below them in the Ryman One North table – will be hoping the match is on.

But, as with all the fixtures this weekend, fans are advised to check that matches are still on because of the severe weather.