THE PREVIEW: East Thurrock will be odds on to reach the quarter-finals against Redbridge tonight, having defied their injury crisis to beat Lewes 4-1 on Saturday.
Rocks sit 10th in the Ryman Premier League, and have games in hand on many of the teams above them in the standings. They were 3-0 winners over Great Wakering Rovers in the last round.
Redbridge sit 21st in the Ryman One North and have only won one of 12 league matches on their travels so far this term.
However, they did cause the upset of the last round as they beat a youthful Southend United side 2-0 at Roots Hall.
WHAT HE SAID: Rocks boss John Coventry said: “It will be a challenge for us. We will have to play quite a few senior players due to the injury situation but there will be some youngsters playing too.
“It is not normally the competition I will prioritise as we have an FA Trophy match with Maidenhead on Saturday which is important to us. That said, if we win this match and lose on Saturday then the Essex Senior Cup will be the only cup competition we are left in.
“It will be a tough game and we need to keep our focus.”
FORM GUIDE: WWDWDL
TEAM NEWS: Ryan Scott and James Walker will miss out, along with Lewis Smith and Ryan Sammons. Rickie Hayles sustained a deep gash in his shin on Saturday and will be side lined. Tom Anderson has joined Burnham Ramblers on a dual-registration contract.
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