RYMAN PREMIER: East Thurrock United manager John Coventry says it is touch and go whether the Rookery Hill pitch will be playable for this weekend’s clash with Bognor Regis Town.

The ground has hosted three matches in eight days, with the result seeing the pitch cut up in swathes, with this week’s rain compounding the problem.

And Coventry admits Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat against Kingstonian may have been the final straw, as 10th placed Bognor prepare to visit.

“The pitch is in a bad way,” he said. “It took a lot of damage in the past week and we can’t even consider treating it at the moment. We can’t put a tractor on it otherwise we would lose the tractor so we know it will be tough to get it ready.

“I think the players found it difficult on Tuesday and playing on such a heavy pitch wouldn’t have helped.”

A 75th minute goal condemned Rocks to only their second defeat in 18 league matches, although they still sit in the play-off places.

And Coventry said his side struggled to impose themselves on the game.

“The boys have played a lot of football,” he said. “We kicked off at 7.45pm and ten minutes later I felt we were going to find it difficult to win.

“That isn’t taking anything away from the players as they have been unbelievable in recent weeks. It is just a case of forgetting about it and moving onto the next one.”

And the next game is one that holds fond memories for Coventry from last season.

Bognor Regis were the visitors on the final day of last season.

Rocks knew a win would secure their Ryman Premier League status against Bognor, who had already secured a play-off place.

Rocks went on to win 4-2 and Coventry said he was looking forward to playing them in different circumstances.

“This time we are challenging at the right end of the table. After we beat them last year we finished on 49 points whereas we have 51 points already. And with 16 games to go.

“We know it will be tough and we aren’t getting carried away. We haven’t spoken about play-offs yet but there are teams who have games in hand so we just have to work on winning our own games.”

Coventry also had kind words for two of his young stars, Tom Anderson and Ryan Boswell who joined Ryman One North outfit Burnham Ramblers on loan last week.

Anderson scores twice on his debut for the club in a 4-3 reverse against Waltham Abbey on Tuesday.

“They have done well,” he said. “I know they both have bright futures here and for them to get minutes and experience at Burnham will do them the world of good.”