THREE of the north Essex-based Thurlow Nunn League sides playing in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup made it through to the next stage.

STANWAY ROVERS, FC CLACTON and BRANTHAM ATHLETIC all booked their places in the preliminary round and pocketed £1,500 in prize money for their club’s coffers.

The standout individual performance was by Clacton’s Aaron Condon, who scored a hat-trick in his team’s 3-1 win against Essex Senior League side Eton Manor at the Rush Green Bowl.

Condon made a name for himself with some important goals in the Seasiders’ FA Cup run two years ago and he put his team ahead in the 44th minute against Eton Manor.

The lead was short-lived as Chid Onokwai levelled things up before half-time for the visitors, however, Condon made sure of Clacton’s progress in the second half.

He stepped forward to slam home a 72nd minute penalty to regain the lead after his initial shot had been illegally blocked and the Seasiders’ striker added a third late on to set up a preliminary round date against Aveley.

Stanway Rovers backed up their impressive start to the league campaign by easing through to the preliminary round with a 2-1 win at another Essex Senior League club – Clapton.

And there was also cup joy for Brantham Athletic as Paul Skingley’s team set up a tie against Great Wakering Rovers in the next round by winning 2-1 at Moltan Spartan South Midlands League division one side Broxbourne Borough.

The only north Essex-based Thurlow Nunn League side not to progress was WIVENHOE TOWN.

The Dragons had won their opening two division one games, but were unable to find FA Cup progress as they lost 5-1 to Tower Hamlets, of the Essex Senior League, at the Maple Tree Cars Stadium.

Adam Hampson scored the consolation goal for the Dragons, but they were trailing 4-0 at the time.

In league action, both HALSTEAD TOWN and BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES were involved in division one games rather than in the FA Cup and there were wins for both on the road.

Halstead continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win at March Town United.

Just as he had in the previous week’s draw against Leiston Reserves, Richard Abbott came off the bench to score, but this time it was a winner rather than an equaliser for the Humbugs.

Braintree Town first-team striker Charlie Strutton was continuing his comeback from injury in their reserves’ game at Stowmarket Town and he scored in a first half that saw them go 3-0 up.

Austin Lipman and Luke Mallett were also on target for Braintree, who survived a second-half comeback from the hosts, to win 3-2.