Thurrock's three teams are rarely in the spotlight in Ryman One North but this weekend they take centre stage.

By a quirk of the fixture list, Tilbury, Aveley and East Thurrock take on the teams that occupy first, second and third in the table.

East Thurrock host league leaders Northwood. There's some 20 places between the pair, but at least Rocks have finally found some form after a dreadful three-month spell.

The previous three home games have all been won and against fairly decent opposition too, while Northwood's away form has recently been somewhat patchy.

The key to Rocks' revival is at the back with the addition of goalkeeper Mark Hardingham and full-back Lee Burns, plus Billy Cove switching to a central defensive role.

However, tomorrow they are without the suspended Micky Stanbrook.

Tilbury are a bit of a puzzle. The Dockers have been in the top ten for most of the season, yet have been particularly vulnerable at St Chad's to teams in the bottom half.

So a game at Wealdstone is something of a relief especially after the Stones drew at home to next-to-bottom Wembley in midweek.

Aveley make the short journey to Hornchurch without strikers Luke Bauckham and Danny Curran.

Both are suspended leaving Tommy Lee and Arron Wright to lead the attack against the hardest team in the division to beat. The Urchins have lost just twice, the last occasion to Harlow in October.

Published Friday, February 7, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo