BILLY Clifford’s hat-trick helped Billericay Town see off a young Southend United side 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup at the AGP Arena tonight.

An eventful first half saw five goals scored in 33 minutes as the Shrimpers fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores.

But reigning champions Billericay surged clear to set a semi-final clash with East Thurrock United.

Billericay, who had thrashed Blues 7-3 in the Essex Senior Cup last season, took just two minutes to open the scoring as Ross Lafayette raced onto a long ball forward before working his way past Sam Knock and netting with a deft chip over the grounded Ted Smith.

Moments later, Smith did well to push a well struck Devonte Aransibia effort to safety before Blues hit back with Renei Batlokwa having a close range effort tipped over by Billericay goalkeeper Mark Smith.

Smith then gathered Norman Wabo’s effort from the edge of the penalty area before the hosts doubled their lead in the 10th minute as Billy Clifford sent a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Six minutes later, the Shrimpers got back into the game with a fine individual effort from Norman Wabo who beat his man down the left flank before cutting inside and netting with fine, low finish.

And, within 60 seconds, the visitors drew back level as Michael Klass went clean through on goal and netted with a low chip into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

However, Blues were level for just a minute as Clifford soon bagged his second goal of the night as he cut in from the left flank before firing home a powerful right footed shot.

Town continued to look threatening going forward and made it 4-2 in the 33rd minute as Kieron Cadogan fired home a deflected effort from just inside the penalty area.

After the break, Smith did well to deny Nathan Minhas before Clifford completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute, sending a penalty into the left hand side of the net with Smith diving in the opposite direction.

With Billericay looking to pile more misery on the Shrimpers, Devonte Aransibia then saw a swerving effort parried to safety by Smith.

But, three minutes from time, Town completed the scoring when Danny Waldren’s long ball forward found substitute Adam Coombes completely unmarked before he sent a low left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Southend United: Smith, Howard, Knock (Miles-Nelson 46), Curran, Clifford, Batlokwa, Klass, Pianim (Kinali 81), Phillips, Acquah (Ba 66), Wabo

Subs not used: Bexon & Stewart.

Billericay Town: Smith, Kizzi, Howells, Waldren, Efete, Clifford (Deering 81), Cadogan (Coombes 75), Aranisbia, Minhas, Lafayette, Loza (Emmanuel 58)

Subs not used: Gorden-Stearn & Jahraldo