Can Concord make it an all island final? (From Echo)

Can Concord make it an all island final?

11:57am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport By James Colasanti

DANNY Scopes says tonight’s semi-final showdown with Colchester United will give some of Concord’s stars the chance to shine on a big stage.

Colchester manager John Ward and his number two Joe Dunne are among those expected to be in the crowd for the game.

Scopes said the match with the League One side is the perfect place for his players to prove they can produce against quality opposition.

He said: “It will be a good chance for us as managers to pit ourselves against a professional team, and also for some of our players who have had chances in their careers to play at a higher level to show what they can do.

“And it will be interesting to see how they perform and good for them to show what they can do in front of a good crowd.”

Scopes admitted Colchester’s stars might not be looking forward to a trip to Thames Road, and says that’s something they’ll be looking to exploit.

He said: “It won’t be the most glamorous place they go to this year.

“It will not have the facilities they are used to do, and it would have been different for them if it was a home game.

“But that might work to our advantage.”

Concord were losing finalists in the county cup to Chelmsford in 2009 and Scopes said it would be great to give their fans another cup final day out.

He said: “It’s a good achievement to reach the final. It gets publicised across Essex so it is good recognition for the players, the management and the club as a whole.

“And this is one of those rare occasions where we are happy Canvey won their semi-final.

“An all-island final would be a dream come true.”

Probable Concord line-up (4-3-3): Young; Miller, King, White, Robinson; J Elmes, Cowley, Beckford; Scopes, Stanley, H Elmes.

* SEVERAL senior players will be hoping to impress for Colchester United in their Essex Senior Cup semi-final at Concord Rangers tonight.

The recent arrival of Martin Rowlands and Freddie Sears, coupled with minimal injuries, has meant that competition for places in the U’s squad is fierce.

The likes of skipper Kem Izzet, Matt Heath, Lloyd James and Andrew Bond are all looking for some game time, having missed out on playing against Yeovil Town, last weekend.

And fellow first-team players Kayode Odejayi, Ben Coker and Mark Cousins will also be looking to shine, as Colchester look to book a place in this season’s final.

Reserve-team boss Richard Hall, who will take charge of the Colchester side for tonight’s game, is also likely to give game time to defender Bradley Hamilton who earlier this month extended his contract with the U’s.

Fellow youngsters Freddie Ladapo, Tosin Olufemi and Alex Gilbey could also feature.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Cousins, Rose, Heath, Aldred, Hamilton, Izzet, James, Bond, Coker, Ladapo, Odejayi.