While Southend Manor stepped up their championship challenge and Basildon United continued their big improvement, Concord Rangers won a place in the semi-finals of the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy.

This was the news on a good weekend for local clubs in the Schweppes Essex Senior League.

At Southchurch Park, goal ace Ben Barnett nabbed two for Manor after 16 and 40 minutes to go four clear in the race for the League's Don Douglas Trophy, which goes to the top marksman. He's now on 17.

Dawson (55 minutes) and assistant manager Dave Rolfe (75 minutes) completed the rout in a 4-0 win over Hullbridge Sports which sees Manor joint second in the table, having an identical goal difference to Ilford.

Basildon followed up last week's Harry Fisher quarter-final triumph over Southend Manor by disposing of bottom club Stansted 4-0 at Gardiners Close.

Cochrane gave them a 28th minute lead which Michael Gore increased 20 minutes from time. Docherty (73 minutes) and Paul Batt (85 minutes) rounded off a good afternoon.

Leaders Saffron Walden had goals from Duncan Easley (48 minutes) and Damon Miles (74 minutes) to thank for a 2-1 win at closest rivals Ilford, who scored after 54 minutes through Brian Nicholls.

Incidentally, Miles and team-mate Marc Das are lying joint second in the top marksman race - four behind Barnett.

Burnham Ramblers, who must finish in the top two to achieve their dream of promotion to the Ryman League, scored an important 1-0 win at Sawbridgeworth with Neil Moss getting the only goal after 32 minutes.

The last remaining Harry Fisher quarter-final proved a real thriller at Thames Road, Canvey.

Host club Concord Rangers looked on the way out when Eton Manor took a 37th minute lead through Brown and still kept in front with five minutes to go.

However, once Paul Taylor scored an 85th minute equaliser, the floodgates opened.

Lee Thorne put Concord in front after 88 minutes and Danny Heale made it 3-1 with virtually the last kick of the game.

The semi-final draw was made on Saturday and Basildon take on Burnham with Concord facing Woodford.

First leg games will be on March 25 with the returns a week later on April 1.

The Senior League definitely have three teams through to the knockout stages of the Eastern Floodlight Competition in the shape of Bowers, Saffron Walden and Brentwood.

Now Burnham Ramblers, whose qualifying group has been won by Canvey, will go through to the last eight as one of the two "lucky loser" top points scorers if they beat Hullbridge at home on Tuesday.

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