All three Sky Bet Football League clubs from Essex were kept apart in the draw for the Third Round of the Essex Senior Cup meaning treats for non-leaguers Concord Rangers, Harlow Town and Barkingside.
At this stage of the competition, entrants from the Vanarama Conference and the Ryman Isthmian League also join the seven eventual winners from Round Two. Holders Concord now look forward hosting Colchester United by the 1st November deadline, Harlow travel to Roots Hall to meet Southend United and Dagenham & Redbridge entertain Barkingside.
Bertie Brayley, Player/Manager of Burnham Ramblers, picked out the home teams while Essex County FA Chief Executive, Phil Sammons, was responsible for the away draws. Brayley’s side were paired with Bowers & Pitsea at home and the former West Ham United FA Youth Cup winner sees the Essex Senior Cup as an opportunity for success at Leslie Field.
“If you’re lucky enough to get draws where you’ve got a chance of winning it’s possible to get to the final,” he said. “I believe Essex Senior teams have got to the final before, and Ryman One sides, so there’s no reason why we can’t have a chance. I think that’s a good draw for us, being at home. I’m expecting it to be a difficult game, but I hope it’s one that we can get through.”
The competition has been kind to Bertie in the past, with numerous appearances in the final during his earlier playing days yielding silverware for his mantelpiece at home: “I won it with Chelmsford and came runners-up with them. I’ve been in the final a few times. It’s a good competition and you get some good ties in it. I’ve drawn out a nice tie for Concord Rangers against Colchester - I’m sure Danny Cowley would be happy with that!”
It’s been a tough start so far for the Ryman North side, but Brayley knows the reasons and he’s confident the side can turn their fortunes around: “I took over [the squad] a week before the season started, so it’s always been a work in progress where I have to catch-up on pre-season and structure my team correctly. It’s coming together now and, over the last two performances, although we haven’t got the results, they’ve been very promising.”
Full details on the Essex Senior Cup’s fixtures and results throughout the season, as well as match reports, can be found at www.essexfa.com. Live updates from games are shared by @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and news and information is also published on Facebook (search for EssexFootball).
Third Round (on or before Saturday 1st November)
Concord Rangers vs Colchester United
Witham Town vs Canvey Island
Stanway Rovers vs Brightlingsea Regent
Chelmsford City vs Barking
Hullbridge Sports or Wivenhoe Town vs Aveley
Southend United vs Harlow Town
Redbridge vs Takeley or Eton Manor
Burnham Ramblers vs Bowers & Pitsea
FC Clacton vs Grays Athletic
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Barkingside
Great Wakering Rovers vs Romford
Heybridge Swifts vs Waltham Abbey
Maldon & Tiptree vs AFC Hornchurch
Halstead Town vs Thurrock
Billericay Town vs East Thurrock United
Tilbury vs Braintree Town
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