Match Preview
East Thurrock vs Kingstonian
East Thurrock
Table Position: 21st
Colours: Gold and Black
Nickname: The Rocks
Table Position: 10th
Colours: Red and White
Nickname: The K’s
Saturday’s game for the blog comes from Essex as two out of form sides go head-to-head in the Isthmian Premier Division, with East Thurrock entertaining Kingstonian at Rookery Hill. East Thurrock come into the game with 12 defeats from their last 15 games, whereas Kingstonian are eight games without a victory and have also lost their last five games.
The hosts, who currently sit in the relegation zone, will be looking to do the league double over their London based opponents following The Rocks 1-0 win at King George’s Field back in December.
On the other hand, the visitors will be looking to replicate their FA Trophy performance at East Thurrock back in October. The K’s ran out 6-0 winners that day.
Get to know the sides
East Thurrock
The Rocks play their games at Rookery Hill in the Essex village of Corringham (just shy of 30 miles from London). The Rocks were founded in 1969 and have spent their entire existence playing Non-League football.
Recent history has included reaching the FA Cup first round proper on two occasions. However, both times they fell to defeat against Macclesfield Town and Hartlepool United respectively.
In the 2015/16 The Rocks gained promotion to the National League South following a 3-1 playoff win over Dulwich Hamlet. Unfortunately, after the three campaigns in the sixth tier The Rocks were relegated back to the Isthmian Premier Division in 2019. Despite this success was enjoyed that season with victory in the Essex Senior Cup, beating Chelmsford City in the final 3-1.
Kingstonian
The K’s were formed much earlier than East Thurrock being founded in 1885. The club is located in Kingston upon Thames in South West London.
Kingstonian currently groundshare King George’s Field with fellow Isthmian Premier Division side Corinthian Casuals. From 1989-2017 The K’s played at Kingsmeadow, which from 2001 they groundshared with AFC Wimbledon.
In 2019/20 the K’s enjoyed an FA Cup giant killing, dumping then League Two side Macclesfield out the cup with a 4-0 win at Moss Rose at the first-round proper. However, their journey ended in the Second Round with a 2-0 lose to AFC Fylde.
Managers
Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace
East Thurrock currently operate under two young managers with Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace being appointed in November 2021. Both have previously managed together at fellow Essex clubs: Basildon United and Tilbury FC. They were appointed with the goal of keeping The Rocks in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Hayden Bird
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| Bird was appointed in 2019 (credit Kingstonian FC) |
Bird took the reins at Kingstonian in May 2019 and has so far been successful, managing The K’s to the second round of the 2019/20 FA Cup.
Key Players
Ben Wyss
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| Wyss at Ipswich (credit: Ipswich Town) |
At 19 years of age Wyss looks to have a bright future ahead of him, the teenager plays primarily as a full back and has netted four goals this season.
Wyss arrived at Rookery Hill in the summer from Ipswich Town who he represented at under 18 and under 23 level.
Elliott Buchanan
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| Buchanan rejoined the K's in the summer (credit: Kingstonian FC) |
During his career the experienced forward has also appeared for Stevenage, Newport County, Chelmsford City, St Albans City and most recently Dorking Wanderers.
The 32-year-old scored one of his fourteen goals this campaign against East Thurrock when the two sides met in the FA Trophy in October.
Recent Form
East Thurrock
1-0 vs Carshalton (H)
1-3 vs Folkestone Invicta (A)
0-3 vs Enfield (A)
0-1 vs Worthing (H)
Kingstonian
0-4 vs Worthing (A)
1-2 vs Potters Bar (A)
0-1 vs Cheshunt (A)
1-2 vs Folkestone Invicta (H)
Recent Meetings
Date | Home | Score | Away |
15/12/21 | Kingstonian | 0-1 | East Thurrock |
30/10/21 | East Thurrock | 0-6 | Kingstonian |
29/01/20 | Kingstonian | 0-0 | East Thurrock |
18/01/20 | East Thurrock | 3-3 | Kingstonian |
19/12/15 | Kingstonian | 1-4 | East Thurrock |
Nathan Williams
Good history
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