Injuries continue to hamper East Thurrock United’s season and the biggest blow arrived just this week after losing star striker Sam Higgins.
But boss John Coventry is determined to make the most of the situation and guide his side deep into the FA Trophy – starting with their first round qualifying match against South Park.
The Isthmian Premier League Division side are no strangers to a cup run having twice reached the Emirates FA Cup first round in their history, including last year’s trip to League Two Hartlepool.
East Thurrock v South Park
FA Trophy
First round qualifying
3pm, Saturday 31 October
Winners receive £2,700 from FA Prze Fund
They got there in large part thanks to Higgins, who fired a hat-trick in the fourth round qualifying win against Bath City before going on to rack up an incredible 44 goals in all competitions.
But Higgins suffered a hamstring injury in the mid-week win over Brentwood Town, leaving Coventry to plan for life without his star man in the short-term.
“We’re looking at Sam Higgins being out for a month, he was the non-league’s highest-goalscorer last season and he’s been up there again this year,” said Coventry, who has been at the Rocks for 15 years.
“It comes at a really disappointing time, I woke up thinking about the injury more than the 4-0 win! It gives the others a chance, but he’s scored 59 goals in the last 60 games – it’s hard to replace that.
“We made quite a few changes in the summer, initially trying to strengthen the squad as there are a number of areas we identified that we need to improve on. But then we’ve suffered injuries, so we’ve never had a full squad this year which has made it very hard to act on that.
He continued: “It would be nice to have another great cup run. We’ve reached the first round proper in the FA Cup a couple of times. It’s more difficult these days, I think, because there are not so many easy draws in the early rounds.
“We always make more of an knockout game, be it in the FA Cup or Trophy, such as having a meal together at the local golf club – we know it’s a special occasion.”
Surrey-based South Park sit a league below and are in the middle of a transitional season following long-time manager Joe McElligott’s role change to director of football.
The club have by no means ripped up the script however, as Malcolm Porter took up the reins after being McElligott’s assistant for many years.
The Sparks, who competed in the FA Trophy for the first time last year, have so far been mean in defence this season – conceding just 12 goals through their first 14 league games – and Porter is confident his side can stand up against East Thurrock.
“We know it’s a cup game with a lot of excitement, and we’ll embrace the game for what it is”
Joe McElligott South Park
“This year we’ve been more defensively resilient and the players we’ve brought in have helped us do that,” said Porter.
“Chris Smith had been our top scorer, but he left us and went to Burgess Hill, so due to that fact we had to concentrate on conceding fewer goals.
“While a number of clubs would look up a level, we try and recruit from the same league or below. As a result many of the players have a lot more hunger and desire – more of a point to prove.
“I was impressed with East Thurrock against Brentwood and after the match I read that they didn’t think they had played their best.
“I know they lost their top goalscorer but a player called James Walker came on and imposed himself well.
“He might bring a slightly different dynamic to the side, so whether they start with him or not it won’t be any less of a challenge.
“We approach it as if it’s just another game of football, we don’t make any special arrangement because if you do that it can change players’ mindsets.
“We know it’s a cup game with a lot of excitement, and we’ll embrace the game for what it is.”
