COLCHESTER UNITED 4

THURROCK 1

Essex Senior Cup third round

COLCHESTER United comfortably progressed to the Essex Senior Cup fourth round following victory over Thurrock.

The U's eased through at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, against their Bostik League premier division opponents.

Colchester keeper Dan Wilks denied Dennis Oli and Lewwis Spence volleyed just over the bar, as the visitors pushed for an opener.

But Courtney Senior's deflected effort flew away for a corner, before Colchester took the lead on the half hour mark when James Goode turned the ball into his own net.

Thurrock had a goal disallowed after that, as the U's went in at the break ahead.

The visitors made a double change at the break but it only took Colchester five minutes after the break to go 2-0 ahead.

George Brown went on a storming run from his own half right through the centre of the field and into the area before lifting his shot past the keeper.

Decarrey Sheriff's shot flew just wide before Thurrock reduced the deficit on the hour mark.

Keeper Oshane Brown's long kick forward was helped on for Joel Nouble to lift his shot over keeper Wilks’ head and in.

But Colchester needed only four minutes to restore their two-goal lead.

After an excellent dribble in the box, Senior got around a defender before slotting his shot past Brown.

And it was 4-1 with 19 minutes remaining when substitute Eoin McKeown drove into the net, after Sheriiff had escaped on the left and squared to him.

Price’s shot was deflected away for a corner for the visitors but U's substitute Tarryn Allarakhia dragged a shot wide of the near post before the end, as Colchester progressed.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Wilks, Brown, Kensdale, Wilson, Sturgess, Warde (sub Keys), Diaz Wright, Edge, Sheriff (sub Allarakhia), Issa, Senior (sub McKeown). Substitutes (not used): Ager, Phillips.