l RUNDOWN: East Thurrock United and Bishop’s Stortford will both be looking to get over FA Cup heartache this weekend.

Rocks went down 3-2 against National League South fellows Whitehawk but it was something of an embarrassment for Stortford, who were beaten by Felixstowe & Walton, who play three tiers below them in the football pyramid.

East Thurrock come into this match as slight favourites, as they occupy 13th position in the standings, while Stortford are yet to get going.

They have lost more games (eight) than any other so far and sit second-from-bottom ahead of kick-off.

However, boss John Coventry will not underestimate the opponent, with East Thurrock still rookies at this level.

l MANAGER’S VIEW: Rocks boss John Coventry said: “They didn’t have a good cup result and nor did we and I will look for a reaction but so will they. I am just looking as it as two teams that have gone out of the cup.

“It was there to be won and we lost the game. Whitehawk's new manager made a lot of changes and they were organised but they were nothing special. We could have won but we didn’t and we move past it.

“This season is about making sure we are in this league next year. Going through would have caused a fixture pile-up so the fact we aren’t involved is sad but we can focus on this league.

“We have a weekend off next Saturday and Sam Higgins could be back by the following week.”

l TEAM NEWS: George Craddock could return to the squad.

*East Thurrock take on Canvey at Rookery Hill next Saturday in a friendly (1pm kick-off).