EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry has declared himself “very happy” after his side were drawn against fellow Ryman Premier League outfit Staines Town in the FA Cup.

Rocks will host Staines in the third qualifying round of the competition on Saturday, October 10 after yesterday’s draw, following their 5-0 drubbing of Carshalton in the cup three days ago.

Coventry said he was relieved to get a home draw, with five of Rocks’ other fixtures next month away from Rookery Hill.

In fact, only four of East Thurrock’s 12 games this season have been played on home turf and the Rocks boss says it was relief when his side were pulled out of the hat first.

“I am very pleased with the draw,” he said. “We are playing a side that we know and it is at home so that is good. We haven’t played much football at home this year and an away draw would have seen us play six in a row away from home.

“That said, Staines will look at it in the same way as us. We need to get some positive results in the league leading up to the match and that will give us that added belief. We have a very good squad and I have no doubt the results will start coming.

“We were excellent on Saturday and long may that continue. Leiston come to us tonight and I am sure that will be another tough test.”

Rocks have already played Staines this season, losing 3-2 albeit playing 75 minutes of that match with 10 men after Rickie Hayles’ third consecutive dismissal.

And Coventry says keeping men on the pitch will be key to their chance of progression, as they bid to reach the first round of the competition for the third time in five years.

“We lost to Staines but we had 10 men for most of the game,” he said. “Playing them with 11 men will at least balance the numbers and there is no reason we can’t go through to the next round.”

The winner will pocket £7,500 and secure a place in the final qualifying round, where the National League sides enter the competition.

Table-toppers Leiston visit Rookery Hill tonight, hoping to extend their advantage at the top of the standings.