THE PREVIEW: East Thurrock will be strong favourites to progress into the second qualifying round against the side from the United Counties League Premier Division.

Yaxley sit fifth in the league, which is played at the fifth tier of the non-league pyramid, and currently sit fifth in the standings.

However, Rocks lost on Tuesday night to Hendon, and are struggling for form themselves.

John Coventry’s side are without a win in their last four games, but will be hoping to recreate the magic that saw them reach the first round of the competition last year, where they were beaten by League Two side Hartlepool United.

WHAT HE SAYS: East Thurrock manager John Coventry said: “We need a little break from the league so this will do us all good.

“I went to watch Yaxley recently and they were beaten 4-0 and lost in the FA Vase last weekend as well.

“They play on 3G astroturf as well so that will be a different challenge. We train on that surface so I don’t see that as an obstacle and I do expect us to win the game.

“We have had a good run in this competition in the past and it can give a team a great deal of confidence. I have never been knocked out of the cup by a team in a lower division in my eight years here and I don’t want to start now.”

FORM GUIDE: LDDDW

TEAM NEWS: Defender Ben Wood, left, is unavailable but the rest of the team is fit and available, with star striker Sam Higgins expected to make his first appearance in three weeks.