Thurrock began the defence of their Essex Senior Cup in the most dramatic manner as they hammered neighbours East Thurrock United by seven goals to nil.

Manager Colin McBride made five changes from the side that had beaten Basingstoke Town 4-1 on Saturday. In came Billy McMahon for Glenn Knight, Craig Davidson for David Collis, Ronnie Fletcher for Jimmy McFarlane, Lee Hodges for Mark Goodfellow and Scott Wallis for Steve Harper. Harper, Goodfellow and Collis were all on the bench and did in fact play a part in the game.

The first 10 minutes were fairly even with Steve West for the visitors missing a good chance from a cross from Danny Hayzelden. But it was the home side who took the lead. Martin Carthy collected a through ball from Lee Hodges and although Mark Hardinham saved the first effort he turned in the rebound.

Just before the interval Thurrock went two up when Scott Wallis picked up a Richard Goddard knock-down to score with the aid of a deflection. A 2-0 half time lead was certainly justified. 

The second half saw Thurrock run riot. On 51 minutes Mark Janney played a one-two with Wallis before crossing to Carthy whose downward header just managed to cross the line before being scrambled away by Hardingham.   On 56 minutes came the goal of the night from the Man of the Match, as Hodges let fire from 20 yards the ball flashing into the top corner.

Garry Cross put the home side five up collecting a ball from Janney and shooting all along the ground past Hardinham.. Danny Dafter who had already been booked for a foul on Cross proceeded to scythe down Wallis and much to every ones amazement the referee did not even blow for a foul although as a result of the tackle Wallis was stretched off.

Thurrock responded in the best way possible by scoring two further goals. Hodges waltzed his way through the East Thurrock defence to fire into the bottom corner and Steve Harper made it seven when he scored from an acute angle on the left hand side.

Thurrock will now be at home to Wivenhoe Town in the Fourth Round.