CONCORD Rangers are looking to create another little piece of history when they do battle for the Essex Senior Cup tonight.

The Beach Boys have won the competition in the last two seasons and victory over Ryman One North side Heybridge Swifts would see them become the first side since Leytonstone, between 1965 and 1967, to lift the trophy on three consecutive occasions.

Concord were beaten 2-1 by Bath City in the National League South on Saturday and manager Adam Flanagan, who is aiming to win the competition for the first time as manager, says the players should be excited at the prospect of making history while also relishing the chance to meet up with the man who started the season as Concord first-team coach – Jody Brown.

“We prepare the same for every game irrespective of opposition and to not show Heybridge that respect would be an error,” he said, ahead of the game at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road stadium. “Saturday was very disappointing and I want to see how much desire the players have to want to win this cup and create a piece of history.

“I am not concerned about us being overwhelming favourites as, excluding the league clubs, Braintree are the only club placed higher than us in Essex so every game we have played has been as favourites.

“Jody being in charge of Heybridge is no different from any other manager as we research teams, players, the styles they play, formations, etc. Jody was with us when things were tough and, as the season has progressed, we have got better and better so we are not the same team now as we were when he was with us.

“I went to watch Heybridge last Tuesday and they like to go long from full backs into the channel for (Jack) Barham, (Lamar) Reynolds and (Raphael) Duyile to chase which surprised me as Jody’s team generally like to play football.

“But if we deliver on the night then hopefully the outcome of the match will be positive.”

Flanagan had a hard act to follow after the departure of Danny Cowley to Braintree Town, having led the Beach Boys to victories over Braintree and Billericay in the last two seasons.

But he said he was delighted for everyone at the club they are now in a position to win the competition again.

“I am pleased for the players that stayed when team mates were leaving, for those that joined and returned and those who gave this great club a chance,” said Flanagan, who also praised the backroom staff. “They all have put a tremendous amount of effort into turning our season around and so now they are rewarded with an opportunity to win a trophy.”