MARK Stimson believes getting a first league win of the season could be very important for Thurrock ahead of a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

Fleet beat Dorking Wanderers 3-2 on Saturday, thanks to a brace from Charlie Stimson and a winner from Ronnie Winn, to take their first three-point haul in this season’s Isthmian Premier League.

Home matches against Worthing tomorrow (Friday) and Billericay Town on Monday follow. And Stimson said going into the weekend with a win under their belts can only benefit the players.

“From the players’ point of view, it is good to have beaten Dorking,” said the former Stevenage and Kettering manager.

“I have belief in the players but they will gain a lot out of it. The two previous games were close and there was just a goal in it, but we lost those matches.

“It was another close game against Dorking but we came out the right side of a one-goal margin this time and it was a welcome three points.

“We knew Dorking would bring an attacking threat and we needed to get at them before they got at us, and we did that.”

Stimson added he was looking forward to welcoming big-spending Billericay to Ship Lane on Monday.

Although he admitted having an extra 24 hours to prepare for the game may not necessarily work to Thurrock’s advantage.

“We were supposed to be at Worthing on Saturday but their pitch is not ready. With (fellow Ship Lane hosts) Romford at home on Saturday we could play on Friday.

“That means we have an extra day to prepare for Monday but it also means all the other teams can see you play and scout you.

“Worthing are bottom at the moment but they have played three away games against three good teams.

“People will look forward to the Billericay game. They have such quality and it will be great for us to play against them. They boast some experienced professionals.

“Personally, I think it (Glenn Tamplin’s investment) is great and fantastic for the league and non-league as a whole.

“I think they will get to where they want to be. He (Tamplin) has the determination to succeed, and I look forward to meeting him.”

Stimson will come up against two of his former charges in Town goalkeeper Alan Julian and striker Adam Cunnington.

Cunnington played under Stimson at Kettering in 2011 and Julian won the FA Trophy with Stevenage under the Fleet boss in 2007.

But it was another cup draw that interested Stimson this week.

Thurrock enter the FA Cup at the first qualifying round this season, and will welcome league rivals Harlow Town on Saturday, September 2.

Fleet have enjoyed some thrilling matches with Harlow over the years.

And Stimson admitted he would rather have drawn a lower ranked team.

“I wanted the lowest ranked team possible,” he said. “You want an ‘easy’ draw and if you don’t get one then you want a home draw.

“Harlow are strong and well drilled. We look forward to it.”