PREVIEW | East Thurrock United v Chester

    The Blues are heading back South this weekend – as attention turns to the Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round. East Thurrock provide the opposition.

    Marcus Bignot’s side have hit some good form since the start of 2018 – unbeaten with one win and two draws. Last time out, it was a fantastic point with Harry White bagging the equaliser away at AFC Fylde.

    Speaking of AFC Fylde, Chester’s shootout win against the Coasters in Round One saw them through to this stage.

    East Thurrock provided the biggest shock of the First Round in December. At their home ground of Rookery Hill, they thrashed National League promotion hopefuls Aldershot 4-0.

    The Rocks sit 12th in the National League South – just seven points off the play-off places. Last weekend they were beaten 4-0 at title chasing Braintree; with several injuries causing a somewhat stretched squad.

    History Books

    Club Historian Chas Sumner picks out some stats ahead of the game…

    • This is the first ever meeting between the Blues and East Thurrock
    • This is the fourth time the reformed Blues have reached this stage of the competition
    • Chester’s only win at this stage was in 2015/16 when Hungerford Town were beaten 4-0. The goalscorers were Chapell, Hannah, Hunt and Gilchrist
    • This will be Chester’s 200th competitive away first team fixture since reforming

    One To Watch

    Sam Higgins – Forward

    Higgins is currently the top scorer in the entire National League South. The striker has 17 goals so far this term – an excellent achievement for a side sitting in mid-table. Higgins is something of a club legend at Rookery Hill. He is the Club Captain and won the Golden Boot in the Ryman League last term for the second season running. On New Years Day, he scored his 250th (yes, 250th!) goal for the club – a feat which has included 16 hat-tricks. Definitely the one to watch this Saturday.

    https://twitter.com/1EastThurrockFC/status/948530378918293504

    Match Details

    Kick off at Rookery Hill tomorrow is 3pm. Some info on East Thurrock’s ground can be found here

    The Sat Nav Postcode is SS17 9LB.

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