BASILDON United has urged his players to take Bowers & Pitsea’s Essex Senior League Challenge Cup crown from them as they bid the reach the final of the competition this evening.

Basildon welcome Takeley to the Longman Motors Stadium in the semi-final of the competition, looking to react after a heart-breaking title challenge fell just short last Thursday.

Bowers lifted the Essex Senior League trophy, although Basildon had one hand on the cup after an hour with their borough rivals losing. But Bowers beat Hullbridge Sports and Bees drew with Barking meaning Basildon ended the season two point adrift of the winners.

However, Basildon are still fighting for honours this season, and they are targeting the trophy Bowers won last season before going on to achieve such success this term.

And Gillam wants his players to use the hurt from last week to inspire them to success,

“Bowers are still holders of this cup,” he said. “We are all hurting after last week but this is a chance to end the season on a high. We still have to reach the final but I expect to beat Takeley and expect the boys to be really fired up for it.

“Takeley have added some good players in recent weeks so it is not a given that we will win and the boys must show up.

“But we are motivated to do well.”

Gillam said his players were crushed following the manner of last week’s title defeat, despite Bowers being favourites due to their superior goal difference.

But he said he hopes Basildon can follow their example come next season.

“Bowers won this cup and went on to have a huge successful season and we want to do that as well,” he said. “There is a very good group of players in the dressing room and I want them to be winners at this club.

“What we have done this year has been brilliant but there is still more to accomplish.”

Kick-off against Takeley tonight is at 7.45pm.