Chris Evans reports…

ESSEX SENIOR CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW

Clarets Host Iron, Shrimpers Travel to Abbey

Chelmsford City will host Braintree Town in one of the standout ties of the Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round Draw after the pairings were made on Wednesday 7th November.

A strong rivalry exists between the Clarets, from the Vanarama National League South, and the Iron, who play one division higher. Chelmsford face a difficult hurdle if they’re to work towards a third successive final as Braintree, under new management with Hakan Hayrettin, have secured some notable recent results as they strive for survival in non-league’s top tier.

The last 16 all have one eye on a potential showpiece final at Colchester United FC on Tuesday 9th April. In the last round there were casualties for Dagenham & Redbridge and The U’s themselves, though Southend United made it through, and their next challenge is away at Waltham Abbey, who are currently pushing hard at the summit of the Bostik South Central.

Rob Small’s unbeaten Bowers & Pitsea are at the top of the Bostik North table and they host a Romford side who secured a notable 2-0 win away at Colchester in Round Three. Hullbridge Sports are also up towards the top and going well in the Essex Senior League. They host Coggeshall Town, a team doing very well in third during their first season in the Bostik North.

Brentwood Town were 2-0 winners over Maldon & Tiptree at The Arena the night before the draw and their reward is a home game against a Heybridge Swifts side looking good under Julian Dicks’ stewardship. AFC Hornchurch, the only team left from the Bostik Premier, entertain another side acclimatising well to life in the Bostik North after promotion, Great Wakering Rovers.

There are still two sides remaining from the First Round, and the chairman from one of those clubs, Southend Manor’s Steve Robinson, pulled out the home teams. Manor are the lowest-ranked team remaining though they knocked out Grays Athletic in the previous round and now face National League South club East Thurrock United.

Dan Groves, Chairman of holders Billericay Town, was responsible for the away sides during the draw. Holders Town, currently sitting at the top of the National League South, were drawn to travel to Saffron Walden Town, who are the other team to have progressed all the way from the First Round. Groves is keen for the club to defend their silverware.

Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round (on or before 8th December)

Brentwood Town vs Heybridge Swifts

AFC Hornchurch vs Great Wakering Rovers

Waltham Abbey vs Southend United

Saffron Walden Town vs Billericay Town

Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town

Bowers & Pitsea vs Romford

Southend Manor vs East Thurrock United

Hullbridge Sports vs Coggeshall Town