EAST Thurrock United’s Rickie Hayles says he is desperate to add a second promotion via the play-offs to his résumé this afternoon, as he looks to erase the memory of two seasons ago.

Hayles will contest his third Ryman Premier League play-off final in six seasons when Dulwich Hamlet visit Rookery Hill today, having won with AFC Hornchurch in 2012 before losing with the same team two years later.

The 31-year-old centre-back, in his second spell at the club, scored his first East Thurrock goal in Thursday’s night’s 2-0 semi-final win over Tonbridge Angels, producing a man-of-the-match display in the process.

And he says he cannot wait for a chance to help East Thurrock reach the National League South for the first time in their history today, although he aware of the size of the challenge ahead.

“Losing in the final is not a nice feeling and winning is an unbelievable feeling,” said Hayles. “We know how difficult it will be as both league games were so tight but it would mean so much for everyone here and we want to make it happen.

“We were buzzing after the win against Tonbridge. I was quietly confident before the game but all these play-off games are a real lottery so to get through it was great. The boys put in a great shift and I was so pleased for everyone.

“I hadn’t scored for the club and I was getting a bit of stick from the boys but I just told them I was saving them for the big games. I almost couldn’t believe it when it fell to me and it felt good to see it go in.”

The assist for Hayles’ goal came from centre-back partnership Joe Ellul, who has impressed since joining the club in January. The two have struck up an immediate partnership and will line up together this afternoon in front of another huge crowd.

And Hayles has called on the home support to cheer Rocks all the way to the second tier of non-league football.

“Joe got the assist for that goal and it is good playing alongside him,” he said. “We have been very consistent in recent months and all of the defence has been important this year and played an important role in our success. We have only lost two games this year and that is some record.

“I am really glad we are playing at home as I didn’t really fancy a trip to Bognor but I want to help this team be successful. Having all the supporters will help as well as they really are like a 12th man. I hope there is just as good a crowd against Dulwich.”