ROB Small will be managing in the final of the Essex Senior Cup for the second successive season as Concord Rangers booked their place in the final thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Hornchurch following a 1-1 draw.

Last term Small was in charge of Bowers & Pitsea when they finished runners-up to Billericay Town.

But he will have the chance to get his hands on the trophy this year when the Beach Boys take on Braintree Town at the JobServe Community Stadium, home of Colchester United, on the 21st of March.

It was a tight affair at the Aspect Arena that could have gone either way and it started with the visitors having the first noteworthy chance after 10 minutes.

Cambridge United loanee Harvey Beckett misinterpreted the flight of the ball and his miskick allowed former Beach Boy Liam Nash through on goal.

However goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney was able to close down Nash quickly and block the striker's attempt.

Concord then responded with a chance of their own five minutes later through youngster Alex Hernandez.

Nana Kyei found the 20 year old out wide and the former East Thurrock united striker cut inside and fired an effort across goal that Lamar Joseph-Johnson got down to - turning behind for corner.

Three minutes later Small's men again went close to breaking the deadlock when Beckett had a header cleared off the line from a Tosan Popo corner.

On the stroke of half time Hernandez forced Joseph-Johnson into another save.

Mo Bettamer threaded a lovely ball through to Hernandez who saw his one-on-one attempt kept out by Joseph-Johnson.

There was still time for some late drama before the half's end when in first half stoppage time Hornchurch were awarded a penalty following a handball.

However to Concord's relief the offside flag came to the Beach Boys' rescue and the original penalty decision was overruled.

Eight minutes into the second half the Urchins were left frustrated by the assistant's flag yet again.

An Ellis Brown cross to the far post was tapped home by Nash but the latter was deemed to be offside and the goal was chalked off keeping the game goalless.

However after 68 minutes Hornchurch found the back of the Concord goal and this time it would stand.

A long kick forward from Joseph-Johnson picked out Nash in a pocket of space and the 27 year old curled a fine strike into the bottom right corner; leaving Beeney rooted for his 18th goal of the campaign.

This was also the second time Nash has scored against Concord this season having also bagged against his former club when the sides met in pre-season.

Despite this set-back Concord responded instantly and just three minutes later they were level.

A cross from Hernandez was flicked on by Kyei to the back post where top scorer Mo Bettamer was on hand to tap home from a couple of yards out for his eighth goal in all competitions.

This strike from the Hayes & Yeading loanee sent the game to penalties and the third shoot-out that the Beach Boys have been involved in this season.

The shoot-out got off to the worst possible start for Concord as after Tom Wraight scored for Hornchurch, Beeney saw his spot kick saved by former Concord keeper Joseph-Johnson.

This was followed up by conversions from Jordan Clark for the visitors and then Bettamer for the hosts.

Hornchurch's third penalty was to be taken by Sam Higgins, another former Beach Boy in the Urchins' ranks.

Despite having 28 goals to his name this season the experienced forward couldn't hold his nerve and Beeney saved his penalty.

James Blanchfield then just about beat Joseph-Johnson to make the score 2-2 after three penalties each.

Both sides would go onto score their next two penalties with Ade Yusuff and Ollie Muldoon converting for Hornchurch and Kyei and Ben Williamson netting from 12 yards for Concord.

As the shootout headed into sudden death Hornchurch blinked for a second time, with Beeney keeping out Brown's penalty.

This meant Popo had the chance to send Concord to the final and the full back kept his nerve, converting his penalty and sealing Rangers' place in the final of the Essex Senior Cup through a 5-4 shootout win.

Concord will look to carry this positive result with them onto Saturday when the Beach Boys make the trip to Wiltshire to take on relegation rivals Chippenham Town.

Concord Rangers: Beeney, Popo, Pollock, Beckett, Thomas, Blanchfield, Bettamer, Kyei, Kamara, Hernandez (Williamson 81'), Modeste Goal: Bettamer 71'

Hornchurch: Joseph-Johnson, Parcell, Sutton, Clark, Bertram-Cooper, Wraight, Brown, Muldoon, Nash, Yusuff, Spence (Higgins 46') Goal: Nash 68'

By Nathan Williams