Chris Evans reports…
ESSEX SENIOR CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW
Shrimpers at Harlow, U’s Host Romford
Southend United will travel to Harlow Town while Colchester United entertain Romford after the draw for the Third Round of the 2018/19 Essex Senior Cup was completed on Wednesday 26th September.
Danny Chapman’s Harlow side can look forward to a test against professional opposition, with Sky Bet Football League One outfit Southend also hoping for a run in a competition they last won in 2008. Colchester lifted the silverware in 2010 and their impressive form so far – they’re currently fourth in League Two – will make them a stern test for Paul Martin’s visiting Romford.
At this stage the widest variety of clubs take part from various levels of the football pyramid in Essex. As well as the Football League clubs, ‘Manarama’ National and Bostik Isthmian League sides enter the competition at this point, alongside the remaining Essex and Eastern Senior League teams.
National League sides Dagenham & Redbridge and Braintree Town host Heybridge Swifts and 2012 winners Canvey Island respectively, while there’s an exciting all-National League South affair to look forward to as holders Billericay Town welcome Concord Rangers, winners of the competition in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
There were also home draws for two more National League South sides. 2017 runners-up East Thurrock United host White Ensign, the only remaining Eastern Senior League representatives competing in the competition for the very first time. Chelmsford City, who’ve been present in the last two finals and beat East Thurrock in 2017, play Tilbury.
Two clubs currently topping their tables are Basildon United and Hullbridge Sports. Basildon, who are maintaining a 100% record in the Bostik North, host Waltham Abbey while Essex Senior League leaders Hullbridge are also at home, welcoming Witham Town.
All the clubs are competing with the goal of booking a place in the final at Colchester United FC on Tuesday 9th April.
Essex Senior Cup Third Round (on or before 10th November)
Hullbridge Sports vs Witham Town
AFC Hornchurch vs Leyton Athletic
Braintree Town vs Canvey Island
Redbridge vs Saffron Walden Town or West Essex
Basildon United vs Waltham Abbey
Brentwood Town vs Maldon & Tiptree
East Thurrock United vs White Ensign
Chelmsford City vs Tilbury
Coggeshall Town vs Barking
Great Wakering Rovers vs Aveley
Harlow Town vs Southend United
Southend Manor vs Grays Athletic
Billericay Town vs Concord Rangers
Colchester United vs Romford
Bowers & Pitsea vs Brightlingsea Regent
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Heybridge Swifts
