CONCORD Rangers will play Grays Athletic at the third time of asking tonight in the Essex Senior Cup.

The fourth round tie was originally scheduled to take place a fortnight ago but was postponed due to the Beach Boys’ FA Cup commitments.

And, after the tie was called off again a week ago due to heavy rain, the match is expected to be played at last tonight.

Concord are in fearsome form at the moment, having hit 11 unanswered goals in their last two home games.

But their Ryman Premier league opponents have also been in good form, running out 4-0 winners in another Essex derby, against Witham Town, on Saturday.

And Concord manager Danny Cowley says the cup holders are determined to hang on to their crown.

“It is a cup competition we have had a lot of success in and we want to keep that going,” he said.

“When you look at it, Grays are a massive club. You only need to look at the structure and set-up of the club to see that and we are under no illusions it will be a difficult game.

“Jody Brown is a young manager but we have respect for him and his team. They got an excellent result at the weekend and are well organised so we will need to be patient.”

Concord have already seen off League One’s Colchester United to set up the tie against Athletic and Cowley is relishing the tough tests that are coming this month.

With Chelmsford City and Bishop’s Stortford coming up in the next two weeks and Conference Premier leaders Barnet in the FA Trophy on Saturday, Cowley is keen to continue their impressive recent form.

“We have beaten Colchester United but it looks like Braintree Town are taking it very seriously this year and Dagenham & Redbridge are still in the hat too.

“We have a great run of games coming up and three of the next four games are Essex derbies with the other match against Barnet, so there is plenty for the club to be excited about at the moment.

“We have a couple with niggles heading into tonight’s game,” said Cowley. “But saying that, we have to take the games as they come and we mustn’t look too far ahead. But we are in a good place at the moment.”