Grays Athletic 3, Ilford 0

THE Thameside Trophy may not be among the most glamorous cup competitions on offer, but the trophy itself, a large and weighty silver model of an Elizabethan galleon is one of the most magnificent around.

Grays eased their way through to the semi-final, thanks to a 3-0 victory against Essex Senior League side, Ilford FC. Blues fielded a strong line-up, far more experienced than the visitors, who included a number of reserves and younger players in their starting line-up.

The gulf in class was evident from the start. Several chances had already gone begging by the time, Blues took the lead in the 9th minute, Callum Watts converting smartly from an excellent through ball by Sam Bantick.

Those two players, together with Josh Osude, were causing regular alarm in the Ilford area and with calmer heads in front of goal, the lead could have been stretched sooner. Ilford were defending stoutly and it took until the 39th minute for Grays to score their second, a penalty converted by Bantick after Osude had been tripped in the box by full-back, Williams who was being led a merry dance by the Blues' flying winger.

Grays' third came just before the break. Osude had a shot deflected just wide and the resulting corner was turned in by George Winn, with an unstoppable header.

With the game seemingly safe, Blues manager, Lewis Dark, took the opportunity to give some of the U23s and younger players some valuable game time. Emmanuel Adekokanho and James Allen made their first team debuts, along with Joe Damrell, who also came off the bench and Billy Karby, who played impressively from the start. Allen had two good chances to open his Blues account, but couldn't force the ball over the line.

Ilford, to their great credit, kept playing and twice in the half, caused consternation in the Grays area – one chance scrambled away and other, had the potential for a classic comedy goal, when a Danny Sambridge clearance rebounded goalwards before being made safe.

Blues' only real concern was the sight of Geoff Okonkwo limping off the pitch again, just before the full-time whistle. He's had more than his share of setbacks this season already.

Grays' semi-final will be against either Aveley or Buckhurst Hill, who do not meet until the new year.