Post by dbbn on Mar 19, 2023 10:22:01 GMT
Match Preview
Tuesday 21 March 2023
BBC Essex Senior Cup Final
Braintree Town v Concord Rangers
Tuesday evening sees the Iron return to the scene of their best victory in this competition so far as they head for Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium for a meeting with Concord Rangers, a repeat of the 2013/14 season final.
The Beach Boys were in a lower league when the two sides met at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground, but a certain Danny Cowley masterminded a two-one victory over Alan Devonshire’s side.
That win for the Beach Boys would see them retain the trophy in the following two seasons, beating Billericay Town five-nil and Heybridge Swifts one-nil. Prior to those wins, their only other appearance in the final was in 2008/09 when they lost two-nil to Chelmsford City.
This season’s run to the final has seen them overcome Aveley at home four-two on penalties after the score at full time was one-one. They then lost at home to Grays Athletic, however the visitors fielded a player who had played for another club in the competition and so were expelled by the Essex F. A. They then faced home town Canvey Island and drew nil-nil before going through on penalties three-two. In the semi-final they again needed penalties after drawing one-one with Hornchurch F.C. winning the shoot out five-four, so they have reached the final without winning a game in ninety minutes!
Braintree’s run started with a four-two win at Maldon & Tiptree which saw them draw Southend United. After two postponements, the Shrimpers withdrew from the competition giving the Iron a bye. Next up was Colchester United who fielded a mix of U2s and first teamers and they took a two goal lead into the half time break. The Iron stormed back in style. Alfie Pavey started the recovery but it was a later flourish of goals from Kyran Clements and a stoppage time winner from Alfie Matthews that saw the Iron through. Highlights here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogt0C9T4Ff4
The semi-final saw another away tie against arch rivals Chelmsford City and a long overdue win at the Melbourne Community Stadium saw Matt Rush score the only goal of the game, highlights here www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HHpUgcgZlk
Saturday saw Braintree lose their first game in fourteen matches as they went down two-one to Hungerford Town, Aaron Blair gave the Iron the lead early in the second half, but they were pegged back shortly after when Ryan Jones levelled. Former Iron player and recent arrival at Hungerford, Joe Boachie would score the decisive winning goal. Concord meanwhile will have fresh legs as their home fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Iron have already done the double over the Beach Boys this season winning three-one at Thames Road and one-nil at the Dunmow Group Stadium. Concord may be bottom of the VNLS table, but this competition has seen them battle their way to the final with more than an element of good fortune, whilst Braintree have done it the hard way on the road.
A massive Braintree support will be there on Tuesday evening, let’s get behind the boys as they strive to bring the cup home for the first time in twenty three years!
Tuesday 21 March 2023
BBC Essex Senior Cup Final
Braintree Town v Concord Rangers
Tuesday evening sees the Iron return to the scene of their best victory in this competition so far as they head for Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium for a meeting with Concord Rangers, a repeat of the 2013/14 season final.
The Beach Boys were in a lower league when the two sides met at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground, but a certain Danny Cowley masterminded a two-one victory over Alan Devonshire’s side.
That win for the Beach Boys would see them retain the trophy in the following two seasons, beating Billericay Town five-nil and Heybridge Swifts one-nil. Prior to those wins, their only other appearance in the final was in 2008/09 when they lost two-nil to Chelmsford City.
This season’s run to the final has seen them overcome Aveley at home four-two on penalties after the score at full time was one-one. They then lost at home to Grays Athletic, however the visitors fielded a player who had played for another club in the competition and so were expelled by the Essex F. A. They then faced home town Canvey Island and drew nil-nil before going through on penalties three-two. In the semi-final they again needed penalties after drawing one-one with Hornchurch F.C. winning the shoot out five-four, so they have reached the final without winning a game in ninety minutes!
Braintree’s run started with a four-two win at Maldon & Tiptree which saw them draw Southend United. After two postponements, the Shrimpers withdrew from the competition giving the Iron a bye. Next up was Colchester United who fielded a mix of U2s and first teamers and they took a two goal lead into the half time break. The Iron stormed back in style. Alfie Pavey started the recovery but it was a later flourish of goals from Kyran Clements and a stoppage time winner from Alfie Matthews that saw the Iron through. Highlights here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogt0C9T4Ff4
The semi-final saw another away tie against arch rivals Chelmsford City and a long overdue win at the Melbourne Community Stadium saw Matt Rush score the only goal of the game, highlights here www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HHpUgcgZlk
Saturday saw Braintree lose their first game in fourteen matches as they went down two-one to Hungerford Town, Aaron Blair gave the Iron the lead early in the second half, but they were pegged back shortly after when Ryan Jones levelled. Former Iron player and recent arrival at Hungerford, Joe Boachie would score the decisive winning goal. Concord meanwhile will have fresh legs as their home fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Iron have already done the double over the Beach Boys this season winning three-one at Thames Road and one-nil at the Dunmow Group Stadium. Concord may be bottom of the VNLS table, but this competition has seen them battle their way to the final with more than an element of good fortune, whilst Braintree have done it the hard way on the road.
A massive Braintree support will be there on Tuesday evening, let’s get behind the boys as they strive to bring the cup home for the first time in twenty three years!