ESSEX SENIOR CUP: Billericay Town were too strong for East Thurrock United as they eased the brave Rocks out of the Essex Senior Cup.

A place in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup proved a bridge toioi far for John Coventry's men as Bertie Brayley helped to inspire a 3-0 home victory.

Brayley’s goals came either side of Cedric Ngakam’s second-half effort to hand the hosts a last eight tie against Great Wakering Rovers at the expense of their Ryman League Division One North opponents. It was Town who had the first opportunity.

Adam Flanagan almost opened the scoring in the 7th minute when he powered Harrison Chatting’s corner against the top of the crossbar, but the in-form Rocks were soon on the attack themselves, Kris Newby crossing for Kye Ruez to shoot straight at Nick Morgan.

The woodwork was rattled for a second time shortly afterwards as the diminutive Chatting looped a header onto the bar from Sebastian Schoburgh’s hanging centre, and Billericay’s misfortune continued after a quarter of an hour when Richard Wray got the faintest of touches to divert Ngakam’s strike wide.

Wray was at his best two minutes later when he timed his jump to perfection to tip Chatting’s curling attempt over and, even when he was beaten to the ball by Ngakam racing onto Morgan’s booming goal kick, the forward was unable to direct his poked effort on target.

East Thurrock were not without chances of their own, and former Essex Youth Representative player Reiss Gilbey’s speculative 30-yard shot was watched into his gloves by Morgan, who followed that up by standing tall to deny Ruez as the winger attempted to round him.

Despite those opportunities, Billericay took the lead seven minutes before half-time. Greg Oates was the instigator, swinging a ball over the top of the visiting defence and Brayley sprung the offside trap to stab past Wray.

Morgan made another crucial stop at the start of the second half to deny Newby after a smart pass from Gilbey, and Town inflicted further pain in the 52nd minute. Chatting started the move by spreading play to the left flank and Brayley immediately crossed to the back post for Schoburgh. His knock-down was duly swept home from close range by Ngakam.

Brayley could have netted on the hour as he desperately tried to slide onto Schoburgh’s cross, but he did bag his brace midway through the half. After racing onto Schoburgh’s through ball, there was no prospect of the former Concord Rangers forward trying to pick out a team mate as he turned one way and then the other to fashion an opening before slamming into the net.

Wray made a smart block at his near post after skipper Ian Cousins advanced into the penalty area, and Brayley was denied a hat-trick by an excellent covering challenge from James Donavan, but Sean Bonnett-Johnson was the closest to adding a fourth in the final minute as his curling free-kick rattled the left-hand upright. But that proving academic as Town advanced.

Billericay Town: Nicky Morgan, Greg Oates (Lee Kersey, 74), Ian Cousins, Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Chris Wild, Adam Flanagan, Sebastian Schoburgh, Micah Hyde, Cedric Ngakam, Bertie Brayley (Danny Charge, 82), Harrison Chatting (Alfie Wren, 82). Unused Substitutes: Mike Marsh, Jack Giddens.

East Thurrock United: Richard Wray, Connor Mead, Joe Keith, Simon Peddie, James Donavan, Stanley Muguo, Kris Newby, Max Cornhill, Steve Harrison, Reiss Gilbey (Kenny Kennedy, 75), Kye Ruez (Tom Dodkins, 75). Unused Substitutes: Ryan Sammons, Steve Sheehan, Ben Wood.