EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry says his players will not be celebrating reaching the play-offs as there is still much to achieve this season.

Rocks confirmed their place in the Ryman Premier League play-offs following a 4-1 win over VCD Athletic, with defender Joe Ellul netting a brace to take his tally to the club to four, after strikes from Tom Wraight and Kris Newby had put Coventry’s men ahead at Rookery Hill.

The result means Rocks cannot be caught in the play-off places by sides outside the top five and all but guarantees them a top-three finish, because of their superior goal difference.

And Coventry was full of praise for the way his team went about their business, although he says their work is not yet done.

“Getting in the play-offs was the goal this season and we have done it with two games to spare, which is good,” he said. “The boys have worked hard this season but it is not over yet and they know it.

“I am really pleased with the position we have got ourselves in and no-one could deny we don’t deserve our place. But we need to keep playing well and getting results in the final two games, although I expect Hampton to win the league from their current position.”

Hampton & Richmond Borough will win the league if they pick up all three points at Rocks’ rivals Grays Athletic at the weekend, and with Grays currently on an eight-match losing streak Coventry isn’t hopeful.

Coventry is looking to overcome something of a personal hoodoo in this year’s play-offs, having lost all three previous forays 1-0 at the semi-final stage, and he says momentum will be key ahead of their last two matches against Harrow Borough and Lewes.

“Momentum is very important heading into the play-offs and you often see teams come into the reckoning late on and that form takes them through.

“We need to bear that in mind but we have been in very good form recently.

“It was good to get the result against VCD as they had nothing to play for and it became difficult when they went down to 10 men as they put so many men behind the ball.

“But we kept going and got the goals we deserved in the end. We have to take it one game at a time and the next game is Harrow.

“Our defence was excellent,” he added. “A lot is made of our goal scorers but the boys at the back have been very consistent and the recent clean sheets have been an added bonus.

“Long may it continue.”