DAVE Huzzey praised the resilience and perseverance of his Colchester United team after they saw off stubborn Hashtag United to secure their place in this season's BBC Essex Senior Cup Final.

Two goals from Bradley Ihionvien and another from Conor Wilkinson booked the U's their first county cup final since 2010, after they recovered from the shock of conceding Harry Haysom's goal in the opening two minutes to their Pitching In Isthmian League Premier opponents, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester fielded a mixture of experienced and younger players in their starting line-up, with the likes of Matt Jay, Tom Dallison, Jay Mingi and Sam Hornby all starting and coach Huzzey was pleased with their application.

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Huzzey said: "I think we always knew that it was going to be a really tough test.

"I'd watched a few of their games and they're a good side, with some good individuals, as well.

"Going 1-0 down probably makes it a little bit harder but I thought the boys showed some resilience to stick in there and then keep doing what we do.

"We then had the patience and perseverance to continue that in the second half and really put them to the sword.

"I'm really thankful for the senior players, because I thought they went about their business in a really professional manner.

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"That gives the younger players no excuse or reason to do anything other than that.

"A big thank you to them but the younger lads were excellent as well and I thought we showed where the football club is at the moment.

"There's a really positive vibe and everyone is really professional and working in one direction together, as a team."

Hashtag pushed Colchester all the way in the semi-final and it was a nervy ending for the hosts, after substitute Micha Djemali's 90th-minute strike had set up an exciting finish.

READ MORE: Match report as Colchester beat Hashtag to book county final spot

"I can only think back to previous 21s games in this stadium where we've done so well like against Braintree last year in the same competition and then fallen right at the last moment," said Huzzey.

"To get through it at 3-2 and come out the other side and get into the final is a real credit to those players in the changing room because when they got their second goal and put us under a bit of pressure, it was a really tough test and it was backs against the wall.

"They had two corners right at the end but Frankie Edwards, an under-18 in a big competition, gets the header in and it was excellent."

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Huzzey was pleased to see Ihionvien score twice for Colchester, as they booked a place in next month's final against either Maldon and Tiptree or Redbridge, who play their semi-final next week.

He added: "I've got a really good relationship with Brad.

"I'm probably his harshest critic at times but I can be like that with him, because we've got that bond, in terms of he trusts me and I trust him.

"I trust him in front of goal - I always have and I always will and I thought he took his goals excellently.

"It was a really good performance from him."