JAMES White said lifting the Essex Senior Cup as captain for the first time was a particularly sweet feeling as Concord Rangers became the first side in 49 years to win the trophy in three consecutive seasons.

Tony Stokes had been skipper as the Beach Boys lifted the trophy in 2014 and 2015 but it was White that lifted the trophy aloft at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road stadium on Tuesday, following a 1-0 win over Heybridge Swifts.

Ben Greenhalgh got the decisive goal after 15 minutes, with the side two divisions below Concord proving to be more than a match for Adam Flanagan’s men.

But White, 27, said despite Concord’s below-par performance, it is the result that counts.

“It was a good feeling,” said White. “It wasn’t a great game from us in all honesty but we dug deep and against lower league sides they come out for it and Heybridge gave us a really good game so a lot of credit must go towards them.

“We came through the periods when we weren’t playing well and we will take the 1-0 and three trophies on the spin.”

Concord had never won the Essex Senior Cup before 2014, but will be aiming to become the first side to win it on four consecutive occasions since the competition started back in 1883.

And White says the club loves competing in the competition, ever since its importance was drummed into the players by former manager Danny Cowley.

White celebrated the win on Tuesday night with the players and staff before looking ahead to the serious business of the National League South play-off chase, with the beach Boys just five points off the top five, with a game in hand.

“Doing well in this competition was laid out as a foundation by Dan,” said White. “We want to be the best in Essex in terms of this cup and there are some good teams in there. All silverware is nice and lifting it as skipper is very sweet.

“Heybridge had a game plan and credit must go to all involved there and I hope they get out of the position they are in. I don’t know how they are in that position to be honest but we dug in and got the win.

“We have to look ahead. We want to play well and push on. Bath was a set-back but in terms of three four games is vital. We will have to go and see what happens. All we can do is get three points.

“We will celebrate this and then look ahead.”