GREAT Wakering head to Rookery Hill tomorrow looking to put a dent in league leaders East Thurrock’s title ambitions.

Rovers held Rocks to a 1-1 draw at Burroughs Park on the opening day of the season, after Kye Ruel had given the visitors the lead before Dan Trenkel hit a quick equaliser for a share of the spoils.

And Ryan Wilkinson’s side come into the game in good form after following up league wins against Ilford and Cheshunt with a very respectable performance in a 1-0 defeat to high-flying Needham Market on Tuesday.

Wilkinson said: “That performance against Needham was probably our best of the season.

“We missed six clear-cut chances and they won with an own goal.

“So we go into this game knowing that on our day we are a match for anyone in this division.

“I know what they [East Thurrock] are about and how they set themselves up.

“But we have the players to cope with that, and I expect it to be a good test for them and us.”

East Thurrock began the year by hitting four goals past Waltham Forest and Enfield Town in convincing wins.

But Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup defeat at Billericay ended their seven-game winning run.

Rocks manager John Coventry said: “With all due respect to the Essex Senior Cup, it is not a competition I am concerned with.

“I made five changes to our side from Saturday, and to be fair Billericay were better on the night.

“But last Saturday against Enfield was the best I have seen us play in my nine years at the club.

“Their fans even applauded us off the pitch. So we are in confident mood.”

Rocks have signed former Aveley striker Piers Wixon ahead of the game as cover for the injured Neil Richmond, who has knee ligament damage.

GRAYS head to Harlow Town in search of their first league win since early November - a 1-0 success at Great Wakering.

Weather postponements and cup commitments have hindered their league ambitions, but they have got games in hand on most teams in the division. Harlow beat Grays 1-0 at Rookery Hill on the opening day of the season.

Eighteenth-placed TILBURY host managerless Heybridge Swifts, who are 15th.

Dockers lost 2-1 to Needham Market on Saturday, and saw their game at Brentwood on Tuesday night postponed.

Swifts sacked manager Wayne Bond this week and have put his assistant Mark Hawkes in temporary control of first team affairs.

He lost his first game in charge on Tuesday - a 3-2 reverse at home to Romford.

Golden Boots (Player - league goals / cup / total)

Kris Newby (East Thurrock) 14 5 19

Dan Trenkel (Great Wakering) 8 4 12

Neil Richmond (East Thurrock) 8 2 10

Simon Thomas (Grays) 5 5 10

Danny Heale (Canvey) 5 4 9

Rob King (Canvey) 6 3 9

Alex Rhodes (Canvey) 3 6 9

Bertie Brayley (Billericay) 5 3 8

Kye Ruel (East Thurrock) 8 0 8

Max Cornhill (East Thurrock) 5 3 8