Tilson and Stimson know each other well (From Thurrock Gazette)

Thurrock boss played alongside Tilly

4:57pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport

RYMAN: STEVE Tilson says he’s looking forward to locking horns with his former teammate Mark Stimson in the non-league tomorrow.

The pair, who played together for Southend United and Canvey Island, will face each other as managers in the Ryman Premier.

Canvey boss Tilson said he’s expecting a tough game from Stimson’s Thurrock.

“Stimmo was fantastic for Canvey and played a big part in the club doing well back at that time,” said Tilson.

“He’ll certainly want three points here as much as I do, so I’m expecting a tough game.

“Stimmo likes his sides to get the ball down and play, as I do, so – if the weather stays kind to our pitch – it should be a good game.”

Canvey moved to within a point of the play-off places with a 2-1 win at Hendon on Tuesday night, and Tilson says he feels they are continuing to “over-achieve” on a tight budget.

The Gulls will give late fitness tests to top-scorer Bradley Woods-Garness, midfielders Kevin Dobinson and James Hawes, and centre-back Rickie Hayles.

Canvey named assistant manager Craig Davidson as one of three substitutes for Saturday’s defeat at Whitehawk, and Tilson admitted he’s working with a “bare bones” squad.

But the manager said he did not feel he had young players or reserves at the club who are ready to start, and did not entertain the Echo’s tongue-in-cheek suggestion that he pull on the boots again himself. “I’m too old!” he said. It’s been a largely disappointing season for Thurrock, but they come into the game following back-to-back league wins, the most recent a 5-1 victory at home to Cray on Tuesday, which moved them out of the relegation zone.