Tilbury Manager Paul Vaughan can’t wait for his new club to get involved in the Essex Senior Cup this season after assisting with the draws for Rounds One and Two at BBC Essex Headquarters in Chelmsford on Wednesday.
The newly-installed Dockers boss, whose own side are exempt until Round Three with the rest of the clubs from Ryman League level and above, pulled out the home teams on air while Essex County FA Chief Executive Phil Sammons drew the away clubs as the BBC Essex-supported competition officially got underway for 2010/11.
“I’ve watched many games at this level and this seems to be quite an exciting cup,” he commented during an interview for www.essexfa.com. “For the last two seasons I’ve been with East Thurrock, working with John Coventry, and watched nearly every game home and away at Ryman level and it’s been quite interesting looking at the players who are trying to get noticed and using these clubs as stepping stones.”
Vaughan was named as the new boss at Chadfields at the end of April and harbours hopes of slow but steady progress with the Dockers, adding: “It’s a tough campaign as there are a lot of Essex sides in the Ryman North this season, notably Tilbury and Grays which will be a good old game to watch! All we’re hoping at Tilbury is to rebuild the squad and try to finish higher than we did last year - that would be fantastic.”
In the draw, Halstead Town host last year’s quarter-finalists Hullbridge Sports in the only First Round game, competing for the right to entertain Ridgeons League Division One promotees FC Clacton. Senior League champions Stansted face Stanway Rovers and two of the league’s challengers, Burnham Ramblers and Witham Town, were paired together. Bowers & Pitsea, conquerors of Southend United last year, begin with Barkingside.
First Round (on or before 11th September): Halstead Town vs Hullbridge Sports. Second Round (on or before 9th October): Stansted vs Stanway Rovers, London APSA vs Basildon United, Halstead Town or Hullbridge Sports vs FC Clacton, Barking vs Takeley, Southend Manor vs Eton Manor, Burnham Ramblers vs Witham Town, Wivenhoe Town vs Saffron Walden Town, Bowers & Pitsea vs Barkingside.
Meanwhile, AFC Hornchurch and Colchester United will receive a pre-season boost when they meet at Bridge Avenue for the final of last year’s competition next Tuesday, 3rd August, at 7:45pm. The initial attempt to play this game in March was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and admission on the night will be priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for accompanied under 16s. Tickets purchased for the previously scheduled final will not be accepted, under any circumstances, on the new date.
However, supporters who require a refund should return their unused ticket with a brief covering letter by post, or by hand during the club’s usual opening hours, to: The Ticket Office, Dagenham & Redbridge FC, The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, Victoria Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7XL. Fans should check www.daggers.co.uk to ascertain the club’s typical opening hours.
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