THE PREVIEW: East Thurrock will be keen to return to winning ways against Staines Town after they were beaten at Leatherhead last time out.

Rocks lost 2-1 in Surrey and with league leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough winning, John Coventry’s team find themselves five points off top spot with just seven games remaining.

However, East Thurrock will not have it easy against Staines. The Londoners have largely underperformed this season, sitting 18th ahead of play, and just 10 points above the drop zone.

But they are one of few teams to get the better of East Thurrock this season. They crushed Rocks 6-3 at Rookery Hill in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, with Pat Cox netting a hat-trick that day.

And the hosts must avoid a similar defeat today if they are to be classed as automatic promotion candidates.

WHAT HE SAID: Rocks boss John Coventry said: “We weren’t very good at Leatherhead but we have been excellent away from home this year.

“Staines are a different team to when we played them before. They are struggling but we need to make sure we are ready for it.”

FORM GUIDE: LWWDDW

TEAM NEWS: Kye Ruel, Simon Peddie, Sammy Knott and Ryan Sammons are all doubts for the match.