BOWERS & Pitsea’s Essex Senior Cup clash with East Thurrock United has come “at a bad time” according to the underdogs’ manager Rob Small.

Ryman North outfit Bowers are two divisions below Rocks, of the National League South, although Small has led Bowers on a five-match winning run in the league.

And Small has now labelled the fourth round clash a “nuisance” as he looks to guide Bowers into the last eight.

“To be honest the game is a bit of a nuisance,” he said. “We have put together a good run in the league so this comes at a bad time for us.

“A quarter-final place would be lovely of course but you would have to rate our chances of making it as very slim.

“I am excited to give a few players who haven’t been playing regularly an opportunity as they really do deserve that platform to stake a claim for a shirt.

“Any team East Thurrock put out will be an incredibly strong one. What (East Thurrock manager) John Coventry and the club have achieved in recent years is fantastic and probably doesn’t get the merit it deserves.

“I am looking forward to meeting John and (assistant manager) Jay (Devereux) and hopefully seeing a competitive game.”

Coventry is looking to win the competition this season, although he admits Saturday’s FA Trophy match with Aldershot Town has to take priority.

“It is a competition we have decided to take seriously this year,” he said. “We have less games and I am turning my focus to it but we are hurt by injuries.

“Ryan Sammons is out and Lee Burns and Joe Gardner are possibly out. We are down to 14 for the match and you have to look ahead to Saturday, for financial reasons.”

Billericay Town make the trip to Brightlingsea Regent, looking for a repeat of their victory earlier in the season.

Town won 2-1 in the FA Cup qualifying rounds in September, with Quentin Monville netting both goals that day, although manager Craig Edwards will be missing a host of players for the trip.

Nine players have been ruled out because of injury, suspension or because they are cup-tied.

Elsewhere, Hullbridge Sports visit Clapton in the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup.