DANNY Cowley believes Concord Rangers need to consistently win against teams they are expected to beat if they are to evolve as a team.

The Beach Boys manager was speaking after Concord’s 2-0 win over Ryman Premier League outfit AFC Hornchurch in the semi-finals of the Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday.

And the Canvey-based side will have to play another lower-league in the final, where they will face either Billericay Town (of the Ryman Premier League) or Aveley (of Ryman One North).

Cowley has now challenged his players to repeat the feat in the final, as they bit to retain the trophy they won last April.

“We thrive off beating sides against the odds,” said Cowley. “We now have to make beating sides below us a regular occurrence. We defend to attack but when we have more of the ball we need to make sure we are as effective with it.”

Concord have already beaten Colchester United and Dagenham & Redbridge in this year’s Essex Senior Cup run.

“It is a great achievement to make it to another final,” continued Cowley. “To win at Hornchurch you need real resolve and we showed that. Our fitness and desire got us through.

“The pitch made it hard for the way we try to play but you have to overcome these sorts of problems if you want to be a successful team.

“Hornchurch are a good team and they have a very good manager in Jimmy McFarlane. Despite their position in the league they have conceded the fourth fewest goals in the division and we knew how hard it was going to be.

“We had to be patient and got our rewards.”