Chris Evans reports…

ESSEX SENIOR CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW

Brentwood Town Welcome Colchester United for Last-16 Clash

Brentwood Town will host Sky Bet Football League club Colchester United in the Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round after the sides were picked together during the draw on Wednesday.

The Bostik League North team required a penalty shootout after a dramatic 3-3 stalemate to edge past Essex Senior League opponents West Essex on the same night at Mayesbrook Park, but their reward is a last-16 tie against professional opposition as The U’s head to the Brentwood Centre Arena on a date before 9th December.

Vanarama National League side Dagenham & Redbridge travel to Grays Athletic, while three Vanarama South outfits face Bostik League opposition. East Thurrock United meet Waltham Abbey and Concord Rangers travel to Aveley. Chelmsford City will visit the winners of the Heybridge Swifts and Bowers & Pitsea clash on Tuesday 14th November.

Two guests assisted with the draw as the remaining clubs aim to reach a prestige final at Colchester United FC’s Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday 20th March. Basildon United Chairman Lee Connor was one, and he was excited by his team’s pairing against Billericay Town away.

“I can’t believe it, to be fair,” said Connor, whose team are top of the Essex Senior League. I said this morning that I’d like Billericay Town at home, but obviously away is still going to be a great game. It’s in a new stadium and they’re drawing a good crowd and hopefully we can get a good crowd over there ourselves as well. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round (by 9th December)

East Thurrock United vs Waltham Abbey

Heybridge Swifts or Bowers & Pitsea vs Chelmsford City

Harlow Town vs Southend Manor

Billericay Town vs Basildon United

Grays Athletic vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Brentwood Town vs Colchester United

Canvey Island vs Romford

Aveley vs Concord Rangers