EAST Thurrock United boss John Coventry says his side are ‘more than capable’ of upsetting the odds against Bath City to make it through to the FA Cup First Round for the second time in four years.

Rocks are no stranger to the fourth qualifying round of the competition, having also qualified for this stage twice in the last three years.

They reached the first round in 2011, where they lost 3-0 against Macclesfield Town, and were only a penalty shoot-out away from repeating the feat 12 months later, going down 5-3 to Chelmsford City after a thrilling 4-4 draw.

And Coventry says his team are looking forward to another big occasion at Rookery Hill tomorrow.

“We are regulars at this stage of the competition,” he laughed. “But we know the size of the task facing us and we are seeing this as a massive opportunity. Bath City are a Conference South side and play at a high level and we know how much quality they have in their squad.

“We know it will be tough but we took Chelmsford close two years ago and we beat Eastbourne Borough on the way to the first round so we know we are more than capable of making it through this one.

“We have big game players and have many that could play at Conference South level so it will be a good game.”

Coventry says the team will meet up tomorrow morning at the Langdon Hills Golf Club for some breakfast before heading to the ground to prepare.

And he said the squad is excited at the chance to relive their first round match, which saw more than 1,200 pack Rookery Hill.

“It was a great day and we remember it well,” he said. “We expect another good crowd here tomorrow and I think Bath are bringing a few coaches of fans too. Our youth teams will be there too.

And captain Tom Stephen has also backed Rocks to impress at the weekend.

“We enjoy these big games,” said the skipper. “We all remember how fantastic that day was in 2011 and it was one of the most special things I have experienced in football.

“We have a lot of players at the club who remember what that day meant for East Thurrock and we are all driving for another occasion like that.

“It will be tough but we know we are capable of doing it.”

East Thurrock have beaten AFC Hornchurch (in a penalty shoot-out after a replay), Met Police and Tooting & Mitcham to reach this stage but face their toughest test yet in Bath, who sit 16th in the Conference South.

Rocks will be without Manny Osei, after he was ruled out for seven weeks, while Reece Harris will face a late fitness test. Ryan Sammons and Nick Symons played for the reserves this week and are in contention this weekend.