SOUTHEND Manor manager Stuart Marshall has called on his players to show more passion when they return to league action at Stansted tonight.

Manor went down 1-0 at home to Clapton on Saturday and Marshall couldn’t hide his disappointment at the display.

He says he expects to see more endeavour from his players tonight, as they bid to close the gap to the leaders.

“We need to be more positive than we were on Saturday,” said Marshall. “Last Wednesday against FC Romania we came out of the traps quickly and played at a very high tempo for 90 minutes.

“On Saturday we were flat and showed little in terms of endeavour and passion.

“Tonight I expect to see more from the lads in terms of tempo. We have dropped silly points against teams we should be beating, and this is down to silly mistakes.

“I will be making some changes to the squad this week.”

Current leaders Hullbridge Sports are another team looking to continue their excellent start at lowly Burnham Ramblers.

Sports have taken four points from the last nine on offer and will be overwhelming favourites against Ramblers who have had a wretched start to the season.

Nine matches, nine defeats and 28 goals conceded makes for miserable reading. Can Sports pile on the pain tonight?

Basildon United are in Essex Senior Cup action against Saffron Walden Town.

Basildon welcome back Jim Paterson, Bill Crumpton and Lee Scott while Jim Robbins and Jamie Brown are absent for the clash against the Thurlow Nunn Premier League outfit.

But manager Aaron Bloxham says a good cup run is important for his team, considering their 8-0 mauling in the FA Cup last month.

“I am not sure Concord want to give up their cup that easy but a good cup run is important not only for the players but also for a club the size of Basildon,” said Bloxham.