MATCH REPORT

   Scorching sunshine and hard,uneven surface at Spring Lane the backdrop for this First Round match,Stanway entertaining an unknown quantity from Southend,promised to be an interesting encounter.

   First half Rovers asserted initial and supremacy,Mason Harrington blasting over the bar with a scorcher from 20 yards.Unexpectedly,their opponents forged down left flank and fired in a speculative lob which keeper Connor Todd had to scramble away for a corner,the relief short-lived as the resultant set-piece seemed to elude everyone as the ball drifted into the bottom corner[a poor goal to concede!].The game then was all Stanway although the visitor’s no.8 displayed good control and vision consistently to threaten a further upset.The home side stormed forward repeatedly,expoiting the permanent cracks and lack of pace in the away defence,many chances were spurned after spells of really pleasing one-touch football,Sam Guttridge to Sulab,Jordan combining well with the strike partnership of Nat Wares and Mason Harrington,the latter the recipient of a host of good opportunities which failed to convert due to the brave but unorthodox goalkeeping of the visiting keeper.Although most action was down Stanway right flank with Jordan Cox’s speed causing all sorts of problems,it took a switch to left when the imaginative play of Jake Hammarton found leading marksman Nat Wares to explode with acceleration before calmly drawing keeper and despatching in vintage style….parity restored 1-1.

     Within minutes smart interchanges between Joe Parfitt/Mason Harrington released Jordan Cox on a surging run and a cracking drive from 16 yards found the roof of the net….2-1.Seconds later,a pinpoint freekick from Jack Gregory somehow eluded the flying head of Nat Wares.At the heart of the fluent and inventive passing-game was Sulab,his effortless first touch and mature awareness standing out on a pitch which continuously proved to be a tricky playing surface [the old Glenn Hoddle adage “if you don’t control the ball IT will control you!”],and his all-round assured and classy performance was the foundation of the rest of the game.A Jack Gregory fine long ball found the intelligent run of Mason Harrington,his toe-poked finish fizzing inches over! Shortly afterwards,a relatively quiet Joe Parfitt suddenly burst onto the scene with a right-foot strike which rebounded onto his less favoured left,but the old swinger 100% reliable with a crisp drive above the keeper from 20 yards….3-1.A rare away attack saw the lively no.16 hooking a centre across Rovers’ box,momentary indecision by Connor Todd unpenalised as Grant Donaldson’s shielded presence protected the home keeper[but better,earlier communication chaps needed to avoid Connor getting a teethful of Grant’s studs!!] .Back at the overworked other end,Jake Cavill crafted a decent chance for Nat Wares,his opportunist strike hitting the bar from 15 yards [should have notched!].

      A series of flowing moves followed in the lead-up to the interval,Grant Donaldson finding Jordan Cox well,his pass to Nat Wares producing a cross which Jake Cavill/Jordan Cox both attacked,the ensuing confusion squirming the ball wide of far post[case of “Too many cooks” ].Another pulsating succession of one-two’s saw exchanges between Joe Parfitt,Jake Cavill and Jordan Cox,yet again brilliant approach play but maybe a pass too many again the chance went begging.Before the whistle,a swift move from Joe Parfitt to Sulab created opening for Nat Wares for his statutory execution….4-1  Half-Time.

     A comfortable lead for Stanway at the change probably allowed a degree of casualness or complacency to creep in,the initial 15 minutes of second half largely uneventful and certainly not a portent of things to come! Earliest chance came after neat interchanges between Grant Donaldson,Jack Gregory,Mason Harrington and Jake Cavill produced an intelligent lay-off for Sulab to unleash a blockbusting 25 yarder which steamed inches wide,great teamwork and unfortunate outcome.Soon after,a silky exhibition of ball-skills from sweeper Jack Gregory guided into the path of Jake Cavill,his splendid 25 yard drive unluckily cannoning off crossbar.Just a brief reminder for the very solid back-four of Stanway to be vigilant at all times,came when visitors’ no.5 dangerous freekick darted towards the near-post,keeper Connor Todd showing good positioning and impeccable handling.Minutes later,Jack Gregory’s fine interception and brilliant through ball allowed Jordan Cox to gallop past the last defender before rounding the keeper,his finish from acute angle just found the side-netting.

      Sulab the midfield General with the usually dominant Joe Parfitt playing second fiddle for once,was now dictating play at will,his accurate chipped pass homed in on the deceptive run of Mason Harrington and this guy can certainly finish,absolutely lethal….5-1.This effectively wiped away the second half cobwebs and ended the dogged resistance of the visitors,Rovers stepping into a higher gear to produce a last quarter avalanche.The next goal started by astute interception by Grant Donaldson,unbelievably electric pace [where did that come from,will we ever see it again!!??] and a great defence-splitting pass to spot the exhilirating run of Nat Wares,his trademark finish….6-1.Machine-gun fire followed,Sulab releasing Nat for a tidy left[yes,left] footer….7-1 .Jordan Cox’s breathtaking acceleration left opponents for dead before squaring for Mr.Cool Harrington for clinical finisn….8-1 .Flowing move Sulab-Jack-Jordan Cox for powerful run and simple finish….9-1.The same player again left opponents’ defence in his wake to record his well-deserved hat-trick….10-1 .Still Rovers weren’t content,no.11 a penalty converted by Jack Gregory….11-1 .The final minute just time for an increasingly frustrated Jake Cavill to eventually register on the scoresheet,an accomplished execution and deseved goal….12-1 Full-Time.

SUMMARY

The early stages indicated a potentially competitive game,but once Stanway had overcome the initial shock of going behind,there was really only one team in the game.As mentioned above,feel sorry for visiting no.8,an impressive display considering the circumstances and came out of match with some credit.Rovers were relentless[apart from vacuum period start of second half!] and passing game a joy to watch,with a tangible togetherness between all the players.Solid defensive performance,although largely untroubled,Connor Worrow faultless,Jack Gregory THE most creative sweeper in the world,Sam Guttridge increasing in confidence each game,Grant Donaldson ramping up fitness nicely,Dan Keeble quietly dependable.Midfield tenacious and inventive,great pass and movement and all-round sharp fitness levels[a testament to training regime].Strike-force lethal whichever combination,Nat Wares scored 4 today but I thought he had his quitest game yet this season,Mason Harrington a very effective unorthodox foil to give gppd balance,Jake Cavill a neat provider in the role just behind.A cracking display but a much stiffer test next week,exciting challenges ahead.

Clive’s Man-of-the-Match: Sound performances in every department,especially Jordan Cox always threatening and dangerous down right flank.but award this week,for an incredibly well-balanced,disciplined and no shortage of vision,awareness and flair, Sulab Magar ,a touch of class in central midfield.

                                                                                                                  Clive