Canvey Island could be making two appearances at the home of Southend United before the season ends.

Gulls are already set for one date at Roots Hall on April 26 when they play Leyton Orient in the final of the Essex Senior Cup.

Now, after last night's Essex Thamesside Trophy home success over Leyton Pennant, they could be taking on Blues away in the semi-finals - if they can overcome Witham at home in their quarter-final.

In last night's affair with their Ryman League Division One rivals Pennant, Canvey rested some key players in view of their busy pending Easter programme.

However, Steve Parmenter gave them a 65th minute lead and wrapped up the tie in injury-time. Gulls host relegation-threatened Whyte-leafe on Good Friday (3pm).

Meanwhile, Gulls, who look certain to win promotion to the Premier, saw main title rivals Hitchin, pick up a 1-0 home win over Staines last night, leaving them four points behind Canvey and level on games. Wakering's title boost

Great Wakering Rovers moved back into second in the Schweppes Essex Senior League with a 3-1 win at Sawbridgeworth.

Tommy Dalgarno gave the village side a 12th minute lead which Ollie Evans doubled on the half-hour. An own goal made it 3-0 before half-time, before Sawbo pulled one back after the break.

Rovers must finish in the top two if they are to achieve their dream of playing Ryman League soccer next term, but tonight could again be overtaken for second place by title favourites Bowers, who should beat Brentwood at home.

Hullbridge visit bottom club Eton Manor tonight.

David Jenkins' 34th minute goal couldn't save Concord Rangers from a 2-1 home loss by Ilford, whose goals came from Barrie Fox (56 minutes) and Ian March (88).

In the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy semi-final first leg, Basildon lost 1-0 to Neil Harvey's late goal at Saffron Walden. Webb eyes Blues job

Ex-Southend United favourites Dave Webb and Ian Benjamin today revealed their hunger to boss the Blues.

Webb, arguably Southend's most successful ever former manager, is "confident" he would do a good job - but doubts that the Roots Hall board will contact him.

Much-travelled Benjamin, who played under Webb at Southend and is in his first season as player-boss of Jewson League Premier side Warboys, insists he "cares strongly" about the Blues and would be an excellent motivator of the players.

Webb - overwhelmingly the man that many of our readers wanted to replace the departed Alvin Martin - said: "When there were doubts about Alvin a few months ago, I said was available if anything happened to him.

"Nobody from the club contacted me after that Echo article. I'm confident I could do the job - and the board know my track record."

Benjamin, 37, said: "I learnt a lot from Dave Webb and a huge amount from Terry Cooper, my manager for a year at Exeter.

"I can identify with the Southend fans - and I think they do with me. I'm sure I could get the players calm and inspire them."

He added: "Warboys had no players when I took over in the summer. They started badly, but recovered - with good football. I also know the lower divisions well."

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