Harwich and Parkeston boss Adrian Gray is 'quietly confident' of causing a cup upset tonight when his side host Tendring rivals Clacton.

The Jewson League sides come head-to-head at The Royal Oak in the first round of the East Anglian Cup.

And Gray, hoping to bolster his squad with two new signings in time for the clash, reckons his side can edge past their high-flying rivals.

He said: "We're the underdogs with nothing to prove so you could say I'm quietly confident.

"It should be an entertaining match. League form goes out of the window for cup games, and this game has the added spice of being a local derby."

Gray, who welcomes Gary Harvey back from suspension, is happy with the progress his side has made since taking over from Andy Clark.

"I'm enjoying the job and things are going quite well," he said.

"Of course, we need to work on certain things and cut out basic mistakes. That was our downfall on Saturday when we lost 5-0 at home to Bury. We conceded four goals from set-pieces."

Clacton boss Mick Potter looks set to ring the changes after watching his side destruct Gorleston 3-0 at Rush Green Bowl on Saturday.

Jimmy Clewley is a fitness doubt after suffering a badly gashed knee. Sean Hillier, hampered by a sore hamstring in recent weeks, could also miss out because of a calf injury.

Elsewhere, Maldon visit Barkingside in the Thameside Challenge Trophy.

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002