CONCORD manager Danny Cowley has revealed his squad are determined to retain the Essex Senior Cup this season.

The Beachboys produced a stunning fightback to come from 3-1 down to beat League One Colchester United on penalties at the Aspect Arena on Tuesday, a win that came hot on the heels of them qualifying for the FA Cup First Round for the first time ever.

With Colchester being Essex’s number one ranked team out of the competition and Southend United also going out to Harlow Town, the competition appears to be opening up for Cowley’s men who beat Braintree Town in last year’s final.

And the Concord boss said repeating that feat was one of the squads main objectives for the season.

“Two of our big objectives at the start of the season was getting into the First Round of the FA Cup and to be the first team in recent memory to retain the Essex Senior Cup. It’s a competition we take very seriously.”

Concord’s next task if they are to complete that ambition will be to overcome Ryman Premier division side Grays Athletic in the fourth round which was drawn yesterday.

The Beachboys fightback against Colchester was inspired by their skipper Tony Stokes who netted twice to bring his side back to 3-3 and then scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out.

Echo:

Tony Stokes 

Stokes has been in and out of the side this season but is coming good now with his brace against the U’s his third goal in as many games.

“I’m really pleased for him,” Cowley said. “He works so hard on the training pitch. People don’t see how hard some of the players work. They are at work all day and then they come to training in the evening and put their bodies on the line to be ready for match days.

“It’s been frustrating for him because he has been on the periphery of things this season. He got a goal against Eastbourne in August and then got injured straight after.

“But he is a class player. The goal he got to get us back into it on Tuesday (a long range strike to make it 3-2) was fantastic and he is a great captain. At 3-1 he was telling all the players ‘we are not out of this yet’.

“It was a great result for us in the end. They were really strong. I think 10 of their team had played in the Football League for them this season.

“So for us to come back and win that game – and the way we did it – has given us a lot of confidence.”

Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round draw (to be played on or before Saturday 29th November)
Harlow Town vs Billericay Town
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Waltham Abbey
Romford vs Stanway Rovers or Brightlingsea Regent
Burnham Ramblers vs AFC Hornchurch
Redbridge or Takeley vs Witham Town or Canvey Island
Aveley vs Chelmsford City
Concord Rangers vs Grays Athletic
Tilbury or Braintree Town vs Thurrock