2022/23 average attendance: 595
Tomorrow evening Concord Rangers have the chance to win the BBC Essex Senior Cup for the fourth time in their history as Rob Small's side travel up to the Colchester Community Stadium to take on Braintree Town.
The two sides have already met twice this season with the Iron winning on both occasions. In September an acrobatic Lewis Johnson strike proved to be just a consolation as an Aaron Blair brace and a Lamar Reynolds goal secured a convincing 3-1 victory for Braintree.
The reverse fixture in February saw Blair once again on the scoresheet for the Iron with the Dagenham & Redbridge loanee's second half finish enough to seal a 1-0 win for the hosts.
However Concord have the chance to make it third time lucky as they once again face Angelo Harrop's outfit who come into this game on a poor run of form. Braintree are currently winless in four games, including a draw and a loss against relegation threatened Weymouth and Hungerford Town respectively.
However draws have been the primary cause for this winless streak as the Iron have only lost once in their past 16 games in all competitions.
This years final is a repeat of the one that took place in 2014 and in that year it was Concord who were victorious with the Beach Boys defeating the Iron by two goals to one. Following this triumph Rangers would go onto retain their title twice in succession with the Beach Boys beating Billericay Town and Heybridge Swifts respectively to win the trophy in 2015 and 2016.
On the other hand Braintree's history in the competition isn't as decorated. The men from North Essex have won the competition just once in their 125 year history. That one triumph came in 1996 when the Iron beat Billericay 2-1.
Route to the final
In comparison to Concord, Braintree faced a stress free route to the final with the Iron winning all of their ties in 90 minutes and they also received a bye in the fourth round. This was because of constant postponements due to weather which led to Southend United withdrawing from the competition - handing the Iron a place in the quarter-finals.
Third Round: Maldon & Tiptree 2-4 Braintree Town
Fourth Round: BYE
Quarter Finals: Colchester United 2-3 Braintree Town
Semi Finals: Chelmsford City 0-1 Braintree Town
Meanwhile Concord have endured a tough run which has included three penalty shootouts and even a loss. The most controversial moment took place in the fourth round. Following a spot kick win over Aveley in the previous round, the Beach Boys were beaten 3-1 by step four Grays Athletic and as a result were eliminated. However a couple of weeks later Small's side were reinstated into the competition due to Grays being disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. This set up a mouth-watering local derby with Canvey Island which the Beach Boys won on penalties, before Concord won via a shootout once again against Hornchurch in the semi-finals despite Mitchell Beeney missing Rangers first spot kick. Despite playing in four games so far in the competition the Beach Boys have only managed to score three goals; all of which have been scored by top scorer Mo Bettamer.
Third Round: Concord Rangers 1-1 Aveley - 4-2 on pens
Fourth Round: Concord Rangers 1-3 Grays Athletic
Quarter Finals: Canvey Island 0-0 Concord Rangers - 3-2 on pens
Semi Finals: Concord Rangers 1-1 Hornchurch - 5-4 on pens
Key Player
Aaron Blair
The Iron's top scorer, Aaron Blair, has particularly enjoyed facing off against Concord this season with the Dagenham & Redbridge loanee netting three times against the Beach Boys.
In September the 22 year old netted a brace in Braintree's 3-1 win at the Aspect Arena before popping up with the winner in the Iron's narrow 1-0 win in February.
Blair was also on target for the Iron at the weekend with the striker scoring their only goal in a 2-1 loss at struggling at Hungerford, and he also bagged in Braintree's draw at Oxford City earlier this month.
Blair has also turned out for Cheshunt, Barking and Brightlingsea Regent so far in his career
They've played for both
Kyron Farrell
One of two former Concord players who now play their trade with Braintree Town, Kyron Farrell joined the Iron from Hampton & Richmond Borough in the summer.
The 26 year old is now in his second spell with the Iron having previously enjoyed a loan spell with Braintree back in 2017 from Millwall.
Following the expiration of his loan spell at Cressing Road, Farrell was released by the Lions and picked up by Concord with whom he made just shy of 30 appearances.
Despite being born in Central London, Farrell has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.
Lamar Reynolds
Jamaican forward Lamar Reynolds arrived at Braintree from Concord in the summer having spent two successful seasons with the Beach Boys.
Since arriving at Cressing Road the 27 year old has netted five goals - one of which came when the two sides met on Canvey Island in September.
Reynolds could have also scored in the second meeting in February when the striker took an early penalty. However on that day luck wasn't on Reynolds side and Beeney saved his spot kick.
A non league journeyman, the Jamaican has played for a number of Essex clubs including: Barking, Thurrock, Aveley, Grays, Heybridge Swifts, Brentwood Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Chelmsford City.
Mo Bettamer
Concord's top scorer this term, Mo Bettamer has had an influential season on Canvey Island since joining Rangers on loan from Hayes & Yeading.
The 29 year old has scored 11 goals this campaign - scoring the Beach Boys' last two goals in their win at Welling United and their loss against Chelmsford.
The former Libyan international previously represented Braintree during the 2018/19 season - scoring six goals in 15 appearances for the Iron.
Form
Concord Rangers
D - 2-2 vs Chippenham Town (A)
L - 0-2 vs Slough Town (H)
W - 1-0 vs Welling United (A)
L - 1-2 vs Chelmsford City (H)
Braintree Town
D - 2-2 vs Oxford City (A)
D - 0-0 vs Weymouth (H)
D - 1-1 vs Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
L - 1-2 vs Hungerford Town (A)
Head-to-head
11/02/2023: Braintree Town 1-0 Concord Rangers
03/09/2022: Concord Rangers 1-3 Braintree Town
15/04/2022: Braintree Town 0-1 Concord Rangers
04/12/2021: Concord Rangers 2-2 Braintree Town
17/11/2020: Braintree Town 1-0 Concord Rangers
By Nathan Williams
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