DARREN Manning says he will bid to strike a balance when Hullbridge Sports host Witham Town in the Essex Senior Cup tonight.

Sports are down to second in the Essex Senior League following a shock defeat at the weekend to lowly Stanway Rovers.

But Manning has brushed off talk of a ‘crisis’ and backed his team to impress against Witham of the Isthmian North.

“It will be a good game,” said Manning. “It’s a balancing act in terms of team selection as we must prioritise.

“We need to work out how to go about it and we will. I know (Witham manager) Mark Ashford well and he will make it difficult for us.

“They are a good young side and they have some good players. As for us, we will make six or seven changes.”

Sports have won once in their last four outings but Manning says he is remaining calm.

“We have dominated games and it’s a bit frustrating but there is no crisis at the moment,” he said.

“There is no added emphasis to do well in this game.”

Adebola Sotoyinbo returns and Rob Hodgson is injured.