LEIGH Ramblers have booked their place in the Essex Premier Cup quarter-finals after beating West Bergholt 3-1.

Goals from Jack Purkiss, Justin Hazell and Brad Williams were enough to secure a last eight clash with Kelvedon Hatch.

Ramblers boss Chris Sutherby thinks his side were fully deserving of the win at Belfairs Park.

Sutherby said: “To be fair, we played very well.

“They were very hard to beat and a good side but we probably got what we deserved over the course of the 90 minutes.

“West Bergholt are a good side but we put in a very good performance and if we had been more clinical we could have won by more.”

Purkiss gave the hosts a half-time lead before former Southend United striker Hazell doubled the Ramblers’ advantage.

West Bergholt got a goal back on the break, but Leigh restored their two-goal lead almost immediately when Williams found the back of the net to book the home side’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Ramblers will now travel to Kelvedon Hatch, who defeated Sungate, on February 4 with the chance of advancing to the semi-finals.

But Sutherby is fully aware of how difficult it will be to overcome the Brentwood-based side.

“Kelvedon Hatch have won all there is to win in the Essex Olympian League,” added the Leigh Ramblers manager.

“They are the league and League Cup holders.

“We played them twice this season, and drew 0-0 and 3-3 so we know that it will be a very tough game.”

Most non-league games in south Essex, along with the Southend United clash with Bolton Wanderers in League One, were postponed on Saturday due to a frozen pitch.

But Sutherby was not surprised to see his side’s Essex Premier Cup tie go ahead.

Sutherby admitted: “Our pitch at Belfairs Park is quite open.

“I met with Paul Cannon, our chairman and reserve team manager, at 11am.

“West Bergholt rang us at 11am to see if the game was on.

“It was 50/50 a few hours before the game but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the pitch wasn’t in the shade so we were pretty confident it would be alright.

“They were happy to play if the referee gave it the go ahead, which he did, so we were pleased.”

Sutherby’s side will be looking to build on the win over West Bergholt when they take on Manford Way in the Essex Olympian League Premier Division.