It's a ding-dong local derby between Bowers United and Great Wakering Rovers in the final of the Schweppes Essex Senior League Cup.

The game will be staged at the Thames Road, Canvey, home of Concord Rangers on Saturday April 17.

Village side Wakering, leading 1-0 from the away leg of their clash with Ilford, triumphed by a similar scoreline again with Paul Flack grabbing a late goal to ensure the 2-0 aggregate success.

The game was marred by a lengthy stoppage when Ilford's Ian March received an accident gash to the head, but there was never much doubt that Wakering would win through in front of a 150-strong crowd.

Bowers' game at Saffron Walden was altogether a different proposition.

The tie, after the first leg at Bowers, was locked at 2-2 and both sides had only suffered one domestic defeat all season - Bowers' coincidentally at Wakering in the opening match of the 1998-99 campaign.

Tony Cross's Bowers' outfit brought back goalkeeper Mark Hardingham, who had been out with a nasty neck injury, earlier than expected, but fell behind after only four minutes when Les Pritchard capitalised on slack marking to head home from a free-kick.

After 19 minutes Bowers, who've enjoyed a glorious run since they crashed out of the Carlsberg FA Vase and Essex Senior Cup, equalised after 19 minutes.

Inevitably it was top scorer David Hope who grabbed the goal. Gratefully accepting a rebound when his shot hit a team-mate's backside, he rammed the ball home for his 34th goal of the season.

Pritchard, who had failed to score previously all season, was again on hand to head Walden back in front from another free-kick after 52 minutes, but buoyant Bowers were soon back on terms again.

Simon Deakin, who has earned himself the tag of supersub with a number of spectacular shows when coming off the bench, replaced Alan Harding and set up Steve Warner to make it 2-2.

That was after 66 minutes and John Warner, back in the side from injury, sent over a corner for Deakin to put Bowers ahead for the first time six minutes later.

Then a fine Deakin solo effort condemned Walden to their first home defeat of the season, and sealed the Pitsea side's final spot, after 79 minutes.

Bowers are now the only team in with a chance of a domestic treble. They go into their Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy second leg at home on April 26 holding a 4-1 semi-final lead over Ilford.

Walden have a one-goal advantage over Basildon, going into the second match on April 22.

The three main title aspirants, Wakering, Bowers and Saffron Walden, were all attempting to step up their championship challenges with Bank Holiday games yesterday.

In Saturday's only League game, Hullbridge went down 3-0 at home to a Burnham Ramblers side who are just outside the leading pack.

Race for possession - Great Wakering (right) battle with Ilford during their Essex Senior Cup success

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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