Essex Senior Cup quarter-final: Redbridge 0 AFC Hornchurch 3

Ilford Recorder: George Winn of Redbridge heads clear from Elliot Styles of Hornchurch. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTOGeorge Winn of Redbridge heads clear from Elliot Styles of Hornchurch. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football League)

Hornchurch ensured a home Essex Senior Cup semi-final tie against Concord Rangers after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Redbridge at Oakside last night.

The Urchins dominated the match for the most part, but Redbridge were well and truly in the game until Junior Luke stabbed home the opener just before half-time.

Martin Tuohy’s second half penalty effectively settled the tie, before former Colchester youngster Nnamdi Nwachuku finished it off in style to book their spot in the last four against the reigning Cup champions.

Hornchurch were out of the blocks fast and Nwachuku struck the post inside the opening minute to signal their intent.

Ilford Recorder: Bostry Bansende launches a Redbridge attack with Junior Luke in pursuit. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTOBostry Bansende launches a Redbridge attack with Junior Luke in pursuit. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football League)

But that was all the action for sometime until a neat bit of play from Tuohy saw him make space and he tried an audacious chip over Redbridge goalkeeper Jack Avery, but it went just the wrong side of the post.

The hosts came back into the game and George Winn fired wide after a good run from left back, before Bansende saw a shot well saved by Sam Mott.

Joey May dictated play in midfield for the Urchins, but he saw a 25-yard strike fly just over the bar, before Thomas Gogo followed suit.

And just as the first half appeared to be ending goalless, Luke weaved his way through and stabbed a low shot into the bottom corner past Avery.

Ilford Recorder: Nnamdi Nwachuku scores the third goal for Hornchurch. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTONnamdi Nwachuku scores the third goal for Hornchurch. Pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football League)

That was a killer blow for Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton’s Redbridge side, but any hope of a comeback faded on 52 minutes when Nwachukwu was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Hulusi Mustafa.

Tuohy stepped up to take the spot kick and despite Avery guessing the right way, the effort was right in the far corner to double the Urchins lead.

Redbridge struggled to find a way back into the contest and had very little threat going forward.

And on the hour mark Nwachuku sealed the tie when he took aim from 25 yards and fired fiercely across goal and past the outstretched dive of Avery.

Hornchurch remained on top for the remainder of the game, but were safe in the knowledge there was to be no comeback from the hosts and used the final few minutes to give youngsters Joe Scott and Sam Burton some senior match experience as Jimmy McFarlane’s side reached the final four of the competition.

Redbridge: Avery, Tatham (Wallace 50), Winn, L Thomas, T Thomas, Scott, Bansende, Damali, McKenzie, Mustafa (Murphy 73), Santo (Gent 70).

Unused substitutes: Moses, Parish.

Hornchurch: Mott, Coyne, Bourne, Styles, Roast, Gogo (Burton 80), Joseph, May, Nwachuku (Scott 83), Tuohy, Luke.

Unused substitutes: Chafer, Purcell, Bishop.