By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Maldon & Tiptree and Bowers & Pitsea will both appear in the fourth and final qualifying stage of the FA Cup for the first time in their respective histories after wins at the third stage.
Wayne Brown’s Jammers – currently enjoying a superb early season at the top of the Isthmian North – were on top form as they tore visitors Chertsey Town apart in a 6-1 win on Saturday.
Charlee Hughes helped himself to a hat-trick and colleague Jerome Slew grabbed himself a brace.
With the score at 4-0 Chertsey netted a consolation through Kevin MacLaren ten minutes from the end, but after Slew had scored his second Stephane Ngamvoulou fired home Maldon’s sixth of the afternoon.
Meanwhile Bowers set up a rematch with local rivals Canvey Island, after travelling to Park Lane where the sides fought out a 1-1 draw.
After narrowly missing a number of chances Rob Small’s side broke the deadlock on 68 minutes, when striker Brad Warner put them 1-0 in front.
But the lead lasted only three minutes before Canvey captain James White scored an equaliser from 12 yards out.
Tuesday night’s replay at the Len Salmon Stadium saw the same scoreline after extra time, with 452 fans having packed into the ground where Bowers’ new stand was in use for the first time.
And it was Warner on the scoresheet for them once more, this time in the 67th minute after Tobi Joseph had put the Gulls in front with a quarter of an hour played.
With the additional half hour not producing a winner the tie was decided on penalties.
Bowers netted all five of theirs but Joseph’s spot kick for Canvey was kept out by home keeper Callum Chafer, so it was a 5-3 win for the hosts in the shoot-out.
Billericay Town also went through, Jamie O’Hara’s men producing an impressive 4-2 win at home to fellow National League South side Bath City.
The Blues progressed thanks to an own goal, plus one from Jordan Parkes and a Jake Robinson brace.
Phoenix’s Leigh @beakster99 was at the game and his report can be seen here.
With Dagenham & Redbridge joining at the Fourth Round Qualifying stage, Essex will have four representatives in the last round of ties before the First Round Proper.
Here is how the draw panned out for our local teams:
Bowers & Pitsea v Chichester City
Carshalton Athletic v Dagenham & Redbridge
Royston Town v Maldon & Tiptree
Sutton United v Billericay Town
Ties are to be played on Saturday 19th October.
