TWO borough non-League sides will be in action on Tuesday evening (26 October) and both will have to travel and desperately need a change of fortune.

East Thurrock United will be hoping to shake-off the hangover after their shocking 8-0 home defeat at the hands of Isthmian Premier leaders Enfield Town on Saturday when they go to Margate, who sit just a point below the play-off places in the table.

However, lifting his squad will be a difficult task for manager Paul Martin.

The Rocks have lost their last four matches in the league, conceding 17 goals and scoring just two. It is a remarkable downfall for a side that began October's league action with a terrific 4-2 derby victory against Hornchurch.

Last Saturday's defeat by Enfield has sparked an outpouring of comment on social media which has involved the club's multi-millionaire owner Alfie Best, who responded to some criticism of the club and his commitment to it, by saying: "I think saving the club from closing and investing to upgrade the club to keep it going isn't bad. For some people, if you gave them gold bars they would say where are the diamonds?"

Nevertheless, there appears to be a lot of disquiet about Rookery Hill and some fans have called for a 'clear the air' meeting with the owner who is keeping his plans for use of the existing ground close to his chest, though a planning submission has been made to Thurrock Council that could lead to the placement of more mobile homes on this site – Mr Best's stock in trade in business is being owner of [L] https://www.wyldecrestparks.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=website-dynamic-5000-off-2019&gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuYdMtbCAWNEl5UVcrJQqzHfPqTjPb2XZRUUSpVCudlMHW2d0erNXRH9QbxoCWl4QAvD_BwE [L+]Wyldecrest Parks. {.L]

Mr Best has committed to creating a new state of the art community home for the club, and it has been suggested that the Rocks may be heading for the nearby Pegasus Club – a scheme first mooted under the club's previous ownership and management.

Meanwhile, things have also been something of a struggle lately for Rocks' Isthmian North neighbours Tilbury.

They sit just three places from the foot of the table, despite having been relatively expansive in the player market over recent months.

Tomorrow they face a trip to ninth-placed Stowmarket Town.

Like East Thurrock, they go into the game on the back of a string of poor results - having lost all their four matches in October to date.