Southend Sunday League Oakwood Sports are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Umbro Sunday Cup.

After a thrilling 4-4 extra-time draw last week up North against Northwood at Bridlington Town - they recovered from being 3-0 down and having goalkeeper Neil French sent off - they won yesterday's replay at Aveley 4-2.

Hero of the hour was Billy Herbert, who grabbed a hat-trick, with Jones getting the other goal. Both sides had a player sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages.

In the battle for a semi-final spot on February 20, Oakwood will host Birmingham's Grosvenor Park, who won their fourth-round replay with Queen's Park 1-0. Grosvenor's victims earlier in the competition included top Sceptre League outfit Aspect.

Also celebrating big-time success yesterday were Shoebury Old Boys, who beat Stambridge 2-1 in the area final of the Essex Sunday Junior Cup to make the overall semi-finals.

Heaver and Hensey got the goals which carried Shoebury through.

In the third round of the Section A Charity Cup, C Ball's hat-trick helped Rochford Town to a 5-0 win over Rayleigh Avenue.

In Section B's third round Hamlin and Jaggs both grabbed braces as Smallgains Park beat Monaco Sports 6-0. Runnymede edged out Leigh Ramblers 2-1 thanks to Finch and Head.

In the Section D League Cup second round Ness Rangers had a double from Kavanagh to thank for their 2-0 win over Belton Rangers. Bell Sports eased through 3-2 over Towerfield Rangers thanks to Parker, S Jones and Partridge.

Back on the League scene Rayleigh Town beat Trinity 7-1 with Taylor and Purvis both grabbing twin-goal strikes.

So sweet - King Edmund pupils celebrate the news that the Rochford school has been awarded the Football Association charter standard for schools - recognising their outstanding provision for football.

King Edmund is very proud of its quality soccer programme, both curricular and extra-curricular, with two members of the teaching staff holding their full UEFA coaching badge

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.