C & K Basildon intend to make BBC Essex Women’s Cup history by winning the competition for a sixth time according to Club Secretary Sean Eldridge, who was a special guest when the Semi-Final Draw was broadcast live on Wednesday 24th January.

The competition is now down to the final five - which will be reduced to four once this weekend’s last rearranged Quarter-Final takes place - and everyone left in the hat will be keen to seal a spot in this season’s prestigious final at Bowers & Pitsea FC on Thursday 18th April. Chelmsford City have five titles - the same as C & K - and Eldridge wants his club to be outright leaders.

They now face Hutton away, who travelled to Leigh Ramblers and won an entertaining match, 6-3, in the previous round. Holders C & K were victorious, 3-0, in their home clash with Harlow Town to maintain their great record in the competition. Also Manager of the club’s Under 16s side, Eldridge claims their players are hungry to lift the silverware again.

“It’ll be a tough game, without a doubt [against Hutton],” he commented. “They’re doing very well in their league at the moment and we know the strength in their squad quite a lot during the last season. Our players are all aware that this will be a chance to break a record of winning it six times. They’re really up for it so we want to make some history.”

Sean pulled out the home clubs and Glenn Speller from the BBC Essex Sports Team drew out the away teams. They generated another intriguing semi-final as Billericay Town or Rayleigh Town host Brentwood Town. Billericay and Rayleigh play their rearranged Quarter-Final this Sunday for the right to face Brentwood, 2-1 winners at home to Harlow Town Reserves.

C & K are fortunate to be able to call upon on a number of talented younger players at the club, and Sean agrees that a place in a County Cup Final in April would do their development work no harm: “We always look to the County Cup as a chance to win some games and get to a final.”

“Hopefully we can give it our all to try and defend the cup again. It’d be great for the club as they’re always great occasions, the Women’s Cup Finals. We get all the youth teams over there to support. Fingers crossed - we’ll give it our all to get to the final again.”

Those Semi-Final ties are scheduled to take place on Sunday 17th February, and all the BBC Essex Women’s Cup information you need to know can be found at in the 'Competitions' section, on Twitter by following @EssexCountyFA and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.

BBC Essex Women’s Cup Semi-Finals (Sunday 17th February)

Hutton vs C & K Basildon
Billericay Town or Rayleigh Town vs Brentwood Town