DANNY Scopes has hailed the returning Jack Cawley as one of Concord Rangers’ most important signings of the season.

Cawley joined the Beach Boys from Isthmian North side Maldon & Tiptree in the summer and made a welcome return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury in the 2-0 Essex Senior Cup quarter-final win over Chelmsford City.

And Scopes is pleased to have the central defender back in contention.

“Jack came back from injury after being out of action for a while and we felt it was the right game to bring him back into the fold,” said the Concord boss.

“He came off the pitch after the game and was feeling good, so that was great news.

“It’s good to have him back and he has been excellent for us since joining the club.

“Jack was one of our key signings and he is a leader.

“He was the captain at Maldon & Tiptree last season and we knew what we were getting with him.

“Jack is good to have around the dressing room and, even when he was injured, he didn’t miss a single game.”

Goals from Dacarrey Sheriff and Kit Elliott mean Concord remain on course for a fourth Essex Senior Cup crown.

The Beach Boys took the lead against National League South rivals Chelmsford in fortuitous circumstances.

Taofiq Omolowewe misjudged his header back to Clarets goalkeeper Laurie Walker, which allowed the alert Sheriff to nip in and round Walker before tapping into an unguarded net.

Huddersfield Town loanee Kit Elliott made an immediate impact after being introduced as a second half substitute.

The striker stabbed the ball home after Chelmsford failed to clear Lamar Reynolds’ cross.

Concord will head to National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, who are the highest ranking side remaining in the competition, for a semi-final tie thanks to the triumph at the Aspect Arena.

And Scopes felt the win showed the Beach Boys’ strength in depth.

“If you look at our last four games, where we are unbeaten, we have not had an unchanged side,” added Scopes.

“We have cover in the squad and we don’t think we have many weaknesses.

“It gives us the opportunity to get fresh legs on the pitch and it’s great to have strength in depth.”