Boss wants Senior Cup triumph.
Colchester United's new Manager, Joe Dunne, claimed that the Essex Senior Cup is "a competition we want to win" after he assisted with the Third Round draw at their new Florence Park training facility, seeing his team paired at home with Ryman League Division One North side Harlow Town for the second year in a row.
The former Republic of Ireland U21s international, who played 164 times for the U's before taking on a coaching role, was unveiled as the first team's boss in succession to the departing John Ward recently.
He also saw Colchester face Harlow at the Quarter-Final stage of the BBC Essex-supported competition back in January of last season, and sees this re-match as another opportunity to start a lengthy run.
He also saw Colchester face Harlow at the Quarter-Final stage of the BBC Essex-supported competition back in January of last season, and sees this re-match as another opportunity to start a lengthy run.
"It’s a competition we want to win," he explained during his regular Thursday media briefing.
"I think we've shown that in the last few years with the teams that we've picked - we've always gone out to win every game, and we'll do that again this year.
"We have restructured our club with U21s and development players and we believe that these are ideal games to see how they can progress. But we'll certainly be taking it seriously."
"I think we've shown that in the last few years with the teams that we've picked - we've always gone out to win every game, and we'll do that again this year.
"We have restructured our club with U21s and development players and we believe that these are ideal games to see how they can progress. But we'll certainly be taking it seriously."
Dunne knows that United have featured regularly in the latter stages of the Senior Cup in recent seasons, and he said of Harlow: "It’s actually a club I'm very familiar with because I remember, when I was at Dover [Athletic], I played against Harlow in the FA Trophy.
"Harlow Town are a good club. Last year proved that - the travelling support was excellent, the noise and atmosphere was good and we were fortunate to get two goals after going 1-0 down."
There were 16 ties to pull out at this stage, Dunne taking responsibility for the home clubs, while Colchester Gazette reporter Jonathan Waldron picked the away teams.
With ten First and Second Round ties already complete there were eight sides from the Essex Senior and Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Leagues in the hat to join clubs from the npower Football League, the Blue Square Bet Conference and the Ryman Isthmian League.
"Harlow Town are a good club. Last year proved that - the travelling support was excellent, the noise and atmosphere was good and we were fortunate to get two goals after going 1-0 down."
There were 16 ties to pull out at this stage, Dunne taking responsibility for the home clubs, while Colchester Gazette reporter Jonathan Waldron picked the away teams.
With ten First and Second Round ties already complete there were eight sides from the Essex Senior and Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Leagues in the hat to join clubs from the npower Football League, the Blue Square Bet Conference and the Ryman Isthmian League.
Another prestige tie was handed to Senior League outfit Burnham Ramblers, who were drawn out to face Southend United at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers' Football League Two rivals, Dagenham & Redbridge, were also selected at home against Concord Rangers of the Ryman Premier.
There will be some intense local rivalry elsewhere as Grays Athletic and East Thurrock United go head-to-head at Rush Green.
The Shrimpers' Football League Two rivals, Dagenham & Redbridge, were also selected at home against Concord Rangers of the Ryman Premier.
There will be some intense local rivalry elsewhere as Grays Athletic and East Thurrock United go head-to-head at Rush Green.
AFC Hornchurch and Billericay Town are becoming increasingly familiar as the Conference South clubs add to their domestic meetings, plus another in the FA Cup, with a Senior Cup clash at Bridge Avenue.
Chelmsford City host Great Wakering Rovers and Conference National team, Braintree Town, welcome current holders Canvey Island.
Chelmsford City host Great Wakering Rovers and Conference National team, Braintree Town, welcome current holders Canvey Island.
Dunne looked through the draw and pointed out how the current strength of local football means numerous sides could lift the silverware.
He said: "You go through the list of teams, and Essex County is thriving. If you’re not on your game at any moment, an upset can happen. We’ll be at our main stadium, which is good for us with the dimensions of the pitch and how we want to play, and I’m pretty sure Harlow will make it a fantastic atmosphere."
He said: "You go through the list of teams, and Essex County is thriving. If you’re not on your game at any moment, an upset can happen. We’ll be at our main stadium, which is good for us with the dimensions of the pitch and how we want to play, and I’m pretty sure Harlow will make it a fantastic atmosphere."
The ties are due to take place on or before 3rd November, and the date for every Essex Senior Cup match as it’s confirmed, as well as results and various match reports on the games as they're played, can be found online at www.essexfa.com or by following @EssexCountyFA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EssexCountyFA.
Round Three (on or before 3rd November):-
Waltham Forest vs Bowers & Pitsea
Tilbury vs Basildon United
Ilford vs Barking
Canvey Island vs Braintree Town
Chelmsford City vs Great Wakering Rovers
Colchester United vs Harlow Town
Hullbridge Sports vs Heybridge Swifts
Redbridge vs Romford
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Concord Rangers
Waltham Abbey vs Witham Town
Aveley vs Takeley
AFC Hornchurch vs Billericay Town
Grays Athletic vs East Thurrock United
Maldon & Tiptree vs Stanway Rovers
Southend United vs Burnham Ramblers
Thurrock vs Brentwood Town