Braintree Town 2
Concord Rangers 0
Braintree Town won the BBC Essex Senior Cup for the second time in their history as goals early in both halves from Matt Rush and Alfie Pavey sentenced Concord Rangers to a 2-0 defeat in what was a dominant cup final win for the Iron.
Rangers struggled to find their flow throughout the game and off target headers from Jack Thomas and Lewis Manor was all that the Beach Boys could muster up in what was a disappointing evening for Rob Small's side.
When the two sides met in February Concord were able to keep Braintree at bay until the 64th minute however on this occasion their backline was breached much earlier with Angelo Harrop's men taking the lead after just 11 minutes. Jack Turner played a ball over the top for Rush, and whilst Concord offside appeals fell on deaf ears, the former Southend United striker was able to compose himself before slotting the ball past Mitchell Beeney and into the far corner. This was Rush's second strike in the Essex Cup this season having bagged the only goal in the Iron's semi-final victory over Chelmsford City.
With half an hour on the clock Braintree went close to doubling their advantage, with the crossbar coming to Concord's rescue. A Kyron Farrell corner was met by an orange shirt; forcing Beeney to tip the ball onto the crossbar before punching the loose ball behind for a corner.
On the stroke of half time the Iron had the ball in the back of the Beach Boys net again, although on this occasion the goal was chalked off for offside. Turner linked up well with Rush once again allowing the latter to drill a cross to the back post where Pavey was on hand to slide the ball home. However Braintree celebrations were short lived as the former Maidstone United man was adjudged to be offside.
Concord started the second period brightly at the Colchester Community Stadium with the National League South strugglers growing into the game after a lacklustre first half performance. These efforts proved to be in vain though as ten minutes into the half a generous referee decision that went Braintree's way changed the game completely.
Ricky Modeste appeared to win the ball from Pavey with a sliding challenge in his own area. However, referee Aaron Farmer felt that Modeste's challenge was a foul and as such he pointed to the spot. Pavey got up and brushed himself down to take the spot kick that he won and the 27 year old sent Beeney the wrong way from the spot for his second goal of the competition.
This controversial call took the wind out of Concord's sails and despite a promising start to the half the Beach Boys were subjected to a third defeat in all games, as Rangers fall to their first final defeat in the Essex Cup since they were beaten 2-0 by Chelmsford City in 2009.
A first Essex trophy win since 1996 for Braintree ends the Iron's four game winless run in style as the side from North Essex were able to get revenge on Concord for the 2014 final between the two sides which the Beach Boys won 2-1.
Now that that Essex Cup has come to an end for another season both outfits can fully focus on their National League South campaigns, with Braintree eyeing up promotion to the fifth tier via the playoffs whilst at the opposite end of the table Concord are fighting for league survival.
ATT: 2,428
Braintree Town: Sims, Regis, Farrell, Altintop, Davies, Clements, Turner, Payne, Pavey (Papple 90+4), Reynolds (Matthews 67'), Rush (Wager 90+3)
Goals: Rush 11' Pavey 56 (p)'
Concord Rangers: Beeney, Popo, Thomas, Pollock, Beckett, Hernandez, Bettamer, Kyei (Day 90'), Kamara (Burton 73'), Manor, Modeste
Goals: N/A
By Nathan Williams
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