EAST Thurrock United goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius says psychology will play an important part in their final three games of the season.

Rocks take on already-relegated VCD Athletic tomorrow, with their final match of the season at Lewes, who have also lost their bid to remain in the Ryman Premier League.

But East Thurrock’s Lithuanian stopper says victories are not assured against both sides, with the mental aspect of playing a relegated side to be considered.

The 22-year-old has played 52 times in his debut season at the club, but Lidakevicius is aware that Rocks have achieved nothing yet and says three points against VCD are critical.

“Psychologically it is difficult when you face a team that has already been relegated but the task remains the same,” he said. “They are an opponent we must beat and they have no pressure on them whatsoever which could work in their favour.

“We still have a lot we want to achieve this season and we need to stay switched on mentally.

“We want to win the league. We know Hampton have to slip up but we want to be ready if they do drop points. Whether it is through winning the league or winning the play-offs, we all want to go up.”

Lidakevicius’ good form was recognised by Ryman League bosses this week after he was named the Precision Goalkeeping Golden Gloves award following five clean sheets in his last seven matches.

And he said he was pleased, albeit surprised, to win the accolade while praising the team effort that went behind Rocks’ impressive recent defensive record.

“It was a big surprise,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about it until I saw it on the East Thurrock website and it was a good feeling. But it is a real team effort. It says my name on the award but it is all about the group effort.

“We aim to win our games and that is what we have been doing recently. We are playing well and have such good attacking players that if we keep a clean sheet we know we will win a lot of our games.

“Rickie Hayles and Joe Ellul have formed a solid partnership at centre-half and the full-backs are very consistent as well. We communicate well and are speaking throughout the game. It is a tight bond.”