EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry has heaped praise on Hungerford Town ahead of the clash between the two sides tomorrow, and is looking forward to an exciting game.

Rocks and Hungerford were both promoted from the third level of non-league last season, and both have flourished.

East Thurrock sit ninth with 36 points from 25 games, while the Berkshire hosts have accrued an even more impressive 44 points from 26 games.

Hungerford won the reverse fixture 1-0 on the opening day of the season, and Coventry cannot wait for his team to test themselves tomorrow.

“The opening weekend was a while ago now but it doesn’t seem so long ago,” he said. “But I am really looking forward to it and seeing their manager (Bobby Wilkinson) again who is a really good bloke and manager.

“It will be very tough and they are a good side and they are proving that. They are similar to ourselves in that they are not a large club and what they are doing is even more remarkable.

“We didn’t play poorly in that match and I remember saying afterwards it was hard to gauge as they had just come up from the Southern Premier League but we played well and just got done that day.”

Rocks were emphatic 5-1 winners at Gosport Borough on Tuesday, while Hungerford beat Whitehawk 3-1 to continue their good form.

“Hopefully because we had such a good win that will help us when it comes to tomorrow’s match,” added Coventry.

Coventry could have the same squad available as he did on Tuesday night, with Southend United loanee Abdul Salami set to play.

The Rocks boss added he could have brought in another player before the weekend, although wouldn’t confirm which position he was looking to strengthen.