MATCH REPORT
The long-awaited resumption of the League season saw the recently promoted teams from “B” Division pitched against each other in the elevated heights of the “A” League.A light breeze and late summer warmth on the customary undulating surface was the backdrop for this initial encounter of the new season.
The First-Half was a high octane affair with both teams committed to every loose ball,the pace electric but all too frantic. The game crying out for someone to exhibit a degree of composure and to initiate the fluent passing game, certainly with which Stanway were associated last season.After the opening 15 minutes of testosterone-fuelled football,the game settled down and Rovers demonstrated some pleasing one-touch football,carving Harwich open on two occasions but just over-elaborating in the 18-yard box [Alan Shearer never passed inside the penalty area!!].Stanway looked compact in midfield with strong-running Joe Parfitt ably supported by impressive control of new boy Sulab,the flankmen Jake Hammarton and Jordan Cox lively and penetrating although not maintaining good width at all times.This narrowed options and didn’t provide consistent ammunition for frontmen Jake Cavill and Nat Wares,although these two were the pick of today’s brilliant performance,their unselfish running and intelligent interchanges the main difference between the two sides.
Against the run of play,Harwich triggered the Stanway offside trap and the no.9 was clear on the run,Connor Todd swept with purpose but his interception ricocheted off the opposing striker whose resultant goalbound shot was comfortably cleared off the line by Liam Chawner.The Rovers defence,apart from a couple of misunderstandings early on,generally looked solid,the combination of Liam and returning destroyer Connor Worrow as centrebacks uncompromising,and dependable unruffled displays from full-backs Sam Guttridge and Grant Donaldson provided a firm basis to protect the reliable Connor Todd.New signing Dan Keeble also looked comfortable at right-back when replacing Sam later on.Stanway continued to assert a tighter grip on possession,and no surprises when a well flighted free-kick from the right by Joe Parfitt created all sorts of panic in the Harwich box,predatory Nat Wares first on the scene to poke home from 10 yards….0-1.With the away back-four increasingly assured,midfield dominant with no shortage of good flair and skill,again towards the interval threatened repeatedly,although the home side still looked dangerous on the occasional break,one such attack caused a half-clearance by Liam Chawner with the ball spilling out to Harwich no.4,his well-struck volley flashing inches over the bar.As half-time approached,another spell of Stanway pressure gave the away side the ascendancy as top-man Nat Wares was again “Johnny-on-the-spot” to prod in his second….0-2 Half-Time.
Second Half featured some fine,measured football from both teams,Stanway producing a series of electrifying one-touch football with added composure compared to the first half helter-skelter.The increased presence of new-signing Mason Harrington gave an extra dimension of vision and poise,his linking with Jake Cavill and Jake Hammarton creating more openings for Nat Wares,who was at the hub of all attacking options,a truly outstanding centre-forward performance.Early exchanges saw Joe Parfitt’s fierce speculative 35 yard drive well saved,and Rovers seemed to be the most likely team to score,but collectively they started to sit deeper,sacrificing big spaces in central areas,the Harwich no.4 temporarily allowed a mini-period of dangerous possession.During this spell,a home corner not positively dealt with by Stanway’s rearguard,resulted in a cracking 40 yard lob by the no.4….1-2.
This could have been the signal for a Harwich all-out assault,and they did have a few chances,but it more than galvanised Rovers out of their brief complacency.Great sequences of play between Jake Hammarton/Jake Cavill,Jordan Cox/Nat Wares,Mason Harrington/Joe Parfitt,impressive partnerships throughout the team,an altogether great testimony to the fine work done on the training ground.A particular mouth-watering passing move included passes from Jake Hammarton to Mason Harrington to Nat Wares,releasing Mason to unleash a superb 25 yarder into the roof of the net….1-3 .Fantastic team goal,explosive finish!! To their credit,Harwich responded well,a cleverly flighted free-kick by no.12 eluded the statuesque Stanway defence,the home no.7 ghosting in with a delicate volley,expertly plucked from the air by keeper Connor Todd.Minutes later,again Rovers midfield switched off enabling Harwich no.4 time to lob through to no.12 who should have done better with the 20 yarder which screwed wide of the right post.
After this period of mini-threats,Stanway underlined their supremacy with a slick move down left,initiated by Grant Donaldson’s good early throw,Nat Wares pace leaving the full-back for dead before squaring the ball to find the intelligent run of Jake Cavill,his snapshot veering outside the far post.Moments later,a brilliant one-two between Jordan Cox/Nat Wares produced a pull-back to Jake Cavill,his 15 yard drive well saved.The match was finally sealed with style when a neat interception by Grant Donaldson set up Jake Hammarton’s slide-rule pass for Mason Harrington to finish with aplomb as the keeper came,saw but failed to conquer!! ….1-4 Full-Time
SUMMARY
A very encouraging start to the campaign,the new lads Sulab,Mason,Dan and Connor Worrow settling in naturally with brilliant work-ethic and excellent teamwork the foundation of a very polished performance.After the initial manic period,Stanway produced some scintillating one-touch football and a credit to the Management and the Training Regime.Success is a magic formula of many criteria,hard-work,good communication,great team-spirit are three vitals,but the lads today also demonstrated style and skill which will upset many more established high-fliers.A magnificent display.
Clive’s Man-of-Match: No weaknesses today,solid all-round squad performance,Jake Cavill energetic,intelligent,skilful display[best yet for Stanway] but for his continuously dangerous running,mature hold-up play,classy interchanges with midfield-men,selfless channel runs,and,of course,two real striker’s goals [anywhere in 18 or 6 yard box will do!!] award just shaded to NAT WARES.
Clive
