THE PREVIEW: East Thurrock make the short trip to VCD Athletic as they look to record their first win of the new year.

Rocks drew 0-0 at Grays on Saturday, putting in an underwhelming display, and manager John Coventry has demanded more from his players tonight, as they look to record a fifth win in six league games.

VCD sit second bottom, having recorded just four wins from their opening 25 games this season. However, their fortunes have taken a recent upswing.

Their match against Staines on Saturday was postponed, but VCD had lost just one of their previous six matches before that, winning four of them.

The corresponding fixture last season finished 2-2.

WHAT HE SAID: Rocks boss Coventry said: “This is a massively important game for us as we look to get back on track after our awful performance on Saturday.

“I have had time to reflect and, although we were the better side in the first-half, we certainly weren’t after that and we didn’t really create very much at all. That will need to change against VCD as, although the table doesn’t make good reading for them, they are improving and I think they will be a different proposition in the second-half of the season.

“They are strengthening their side and we will need to improve. That said, if we are serious about finishing in the play-offs, we really need to win this game.”

FORM GUIDE: DWWLLW

TEAM NEWS: Sammy Knott is hoping to be back in contention having missed Saturday’s draw at Grays through injury.