ESSEX SENIOR CUP

GREAT Wakering ended a five-game losing run with a fine 2-0 away win over fellow Ryman One North side Brentwood to move into the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup.

Skipper Dan Trenkel banished memories of his missed penalty against Romford last month as he stepped up to convert a 25th-minute spot kick to give Rovers the lead.

They were awarded a penalty when Joe Gardner was fouled in the box, allowing midfielder Trenkel to score his ninth of the campaign.

And they sealed the win with the best move of the match on the hour mark.

Trenkel’s long-ball found Anthony Glover and he crossed for Gardner to head into the corner.

Brentwood’s most dangerous player was Ellis Remy, but Rovers’ keeper Louis Godwin-Green was equal to the striker’s infrequent attempts on goal.

GRAYS also booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over lower-league Stansted at Hargrave Park.

And the hardy 82 fans who braved a bitterly cold night were treated to a thrilling cup tie.

Julian Dicks’ side took a first-half lead from the penalty spot after Stansted’s Jack Dallender handled in the box.

Danny Bunce coolly stepped up to slot the ball home.

But the hosts equalised before the break with a penalty of their own.

Bunce was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Murray, and John Bricknell fired home from 12 yards.

And they almost took the lead when Dan Cornwell’s shot from distance hit the bar.

But Grays hit the winner ten minutes after the break as Emil Aiken crossed for Alex Osborn to shoot low into the net.

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS were knocked out of the competition, as they lost 2-0 to Heybridge Swifts.

AVELEY will hope to book their last-eight place when they host Braintree Town this evening at the Mill Field.

All the quarter-finals are scheduled to be played before January 8.

RYMAN PREMIER

BILLERICAY suffered a third defeat on the bounce against a Harrow side who played most of the second -half with ten men on a frost-nipped surface at New Lodge.

A brace from veteran striker Rocky Baptiste and a stunning goal from fullback Chris King meant that Anthony Robinson’s strike for Town was a consolation, even though Harrow went a man down on 64 minutes when David John was given his marching orders.

Billericay went one down after two minutes when the ball fell kindly for Baptiste and he riffled a shot in off the underside of the bar.

Town’s equaliser came against the run of play on 23 minutes when Junior Dadson’s miss-hit shot found Robinson and he stabbed it into the roof of the net.

But six minutes later they fell behind again when a mistake by Town skipper Ian Cousins left Baptiste with the simple task of firing past the exposed Morgan from six yards.

Town went close to a leveller twice just before the break as both Dadson and Bertie Brayley dragged shots wide when well placed.

But the visitors stretched their lead ten minutes after the restart when a neat back-heel from Baptiste gave fullback Chris King a sight of goal, and he drilled a shot high into the net from 18 yards.

Town were given a lifeline on 64 minutes when John was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a late tackle on Ollie Berquez.

John had already been booked for an off-the-ball clash with Robinson in the first half.

But despite piling on the pressure they could not make the breakthrough as Harrow held on for the win.

Canvey bossed a match against one of the strongest teams in the division and were unlucky not to take all three points.

Alex Rhodes and Danny Heale both hit the post against Lowestoft Town in the first half during a chilly evening at the Brockwell Stadium.

Matt Game also went close with two close range chances, one in either half, as the Gulls pushed for an opener.

And Jay Curran almost won it when put clean through on goal, but his shot was saved by visiting keeper Andy Reynolds, and the game finished goalless.

CONCORD joint managers Dannys Cowley and Scopes and their players were far from happy when they made the hour-long journey to via the Dartford tunnel to Tonbridge Angels, only to learn the game had been called off.

The match was called off by the referee at 7pm following a lengthy pitch inspection at the Longmead Stadium in Kent.

Earlier in the day the club had said the pitch was looking in perfect condition, but a rapid drop in ground temperature during the late afternoon left it frozen and unplayable.

It all meant that Concord finished the evening in seventh, Billericay in eighth, and Canvey in 11th.

All three have played 18 league games and Concord and Billericay have 29 points, with Canvey 25.

It leaves it all fascinatingly poised for the festive season with Canvey due to go to Concord on December 27, and then play host to Billericay on January 3.

* EAST THURROCK cemented their place at the top of Ryman One North with an excellent 2-0 win at Romford. Kye Ruel gave Rocks the lead fifteen minutes from time before Max Cornhill added a killer second four minutes later.