DARREN Manning is looking for redemption when Hullbridge Sports visit Tring Athletic tonight.

Manning was once knocked out of the FA Vase due to a comfortable defeat at the hands of Tring.

And the Sports boss is keen for his players to impress in their latest pre-season friendly, which was arranged at short notice after a change of plans.

Manning, who led Hullbridge to the Essex Senior League title last term, said: “We were meant to be playing Barnet’s under-23s tonight, but they couldn’t fulfil that anymore and so it has been moved to Saturday instead.

“Because of that, we were looking for another friendly and I know the Tring manager well.

“They asked if we could travel to them for a game and we were more than happy to arrange it.

“One of my first games in charge was against Tring in the FA Vase.

“We got heavily beaten, so I want to reduce some of the damage by going there and doing well tonight.

“Playing games regularly during pre-season is better than training in some cases and it’s important for us to see the players in game situations.”

Sports head into the encounter as they look to step up their preparations ahead of a first ever campaign in the Isthmian North.

And Hullbridge will be eager to build on their successful workout at the weekend.

Sports came out on top in a 10-goal thriller with Baldock Town, with the visitors sealing a 6-4 win.

Yemi Adelani scored a hat-trick, while Ollie Sotoyinbo, Jamie Salmon and Tim Monsheju also netted.