MATCH REPORT

 A grey,overcast day with a hint of rain but generally good playing conditions,the backdrop to this first return match of the new campaign,Stanway looking to complete a double over tough opponents Harwich.

   The feature of the opening 15 minutes was frantic pace with too much airborne play,neither side applying composure or cohesion,resulting in a scrappy period during which the visitors looked more dangerous with a succession of long-range set-pieces.Keeper Connor Todd wisely elected to punch in every case to avert the aerial threat,Harwich’s tall no.4 the main protagonist.The away team indeed were playing the more fluent football,Rovers’ sweeper Jack Gregory needing to be at his vigilant best to pevent the backline being penetrated during this spell.The defensive formation of Dan Keeble,Liam Chawner,Grant Donaldson and Jack kept firm and solid throughout,allowing the midfield quartet to gradually seize a foothold in the game.The first passing move of note came on the quarter-hour mark with a  fine set of interchanges between Nat Wares/Mason Harrington/Joe Parfitt/Jake Hammarton producing a final ball agonisingly long for Jordan Cox.Minutes later,a strong intervention by Joe Parfitt and good early pass just failed to pinpoint the intelligent run of Nat Wares.Again,Joe Parfitt driving from central midfield,found Jordan Cox with incisive ball,the latter inches away from latching on for a clear strike at goal.Distinctive signs were there of Stanway slipping into a higher gear,shortly afterwards Jake Hammarton combining well with Joe Parfitt to release Nat Wares on piercing run down left flank,his crisp left foot strike fizzing into side netting!

    Smooth passing was still only sporadic,and it took a neat touch and intelligent channel pass from the otherwise quiet Jake Cavill,to expertly steer the ball into the path of the rampaging Jordan Cox,his clinical,adept, lobbed finish from 20 yards a picture-book goal against the forlorn onrushing keeper….1-0 .Elements of skill unfolded with Sulab Magar becoming more involved at the heart of the midfield,helping the tireless running of Joe Parfitt to give a better balance for the Stanway attacking options.Strong ball-winning and searching through balls continually looked dangerous,but the Harwich back-four and particularly their very impressive keeper[acting as an auxiliary sweeper] steadfastly repelled any goal-threats.The remaining minutes to the break uneventful but further glimpses of the “Real” Stanway promoted optimism for a more flair-dominated second half….Half-Time 1-0 .

    The second half kicked off with the visitors the more fired up,passing the ball with greater attacking purpose and not allowing Rovers much freedom in possession.During this 10 minute period,the Stanway defence looked resilient,Liam Chawner efficient,Sam Guttridge and Dan Keeble disciplined performances at right-back,Grant Donaldson strong with intelligent interceptions,all marshalled superbly well by the classy Jack Gregory,keeper Connor Todd’s almost faultless display between the posts completing FORT KNOX! Against the run of play,Stanway wrestled possession with the persistent dynamism of Joe Parfitt,Jake Cavill crafting a brilliant defence-splitting pass to exploit the blistering pace of Jordan Cox,but again the Harwich keeper showing tremendous awareness and bravery to quell the threat.Back to the other end,the visitors won midfield loose ball and toe-poked into the path of strong-running no.11,a certain goal but for Connor Todd’s sharp thinking and brave dive at the striker’s feet.

     The game was now end-to-end,still with no discernible pattern or creativity,the respective defences very much on top.With Mason Harrington’s withdrawal in first half due to injury,usual lively marksman Nat Wares appeared starved of any real service or support,and,as a result,ceased making the same redundant runs which,in turn,gave the Rovers midfield limited outlets in attacking mode.Sulab Magar flitted in and out of the game but relatively anonymous compared with storming previous displays,most of the positive central work was carried by Joe Parfitt,but he too failed to deliver that killer pass.Stanway were at their best when they got the ball down to feet,utilising the intelligent space,touch and vision of Jake Hammarton,he particularly aligning with Grant Donaldson and Joe Parfitt on the 15 yard triangular passing movement,creating more options to mount more damaging attacking forays.Jake Hammarton produced a piece of left-flank magic,forcing a corner,his resultant perfect cross begging for a burying header,but alas,no-one was within 5 yards of the danger zone! Harwich stomed down their left and whipped a darting,early cross,the no.9 pivoting with a superb hooked drive which Connor Todd brilliantly saved at his right post,serious pressure and outstanding save!! Stanway responded with a swift break initiated by Joe Parfitt,to Jake Hammarton,his deceptive run and clever pass locating Nat Wares,the normally deadly striker’s left foot drive from 25 yards unluckily whistling inches past the post.

      The visitors were far from finished or demoralised,another concerted attack producing a speculative overhead kick from no.9,narrowly fizzing over the bar.Sulab Magar then won possession on halfway line,his thoughtful pass to Nat Wares,intelligently nudged onto Jordan Cox,his great run suffering an unfortunate bobble just as he was about to squeeze the old trigger,the resultant shot slicing harmlessly wide.This was the springboard for Rovers to belatedly assert a grip on the game.Liam Chawner’s excellent free-kick found the double-head of Jake Hammarton/Jordan Cox,the subsequent melee producing a prodded strike towards goal,eluding the Harwich keeper but cleared off the line by good defending from no.2 .Stanway again pushed forward,Lim Chawner’s powerful 35 yard free-kick well-struck but comfortably saved by the secure visitor’s keeper.The match was wrapped up in the dying seconds with a very fast,incisive move,Joe Parfitt winning the ball tenaciously just in Rovers’ half,his great [ass inside full-back finding the late run of Jake Hammarton,his first touch superb and the second a breathtaking 30 yard half-volley which almost removed the keeper’s head at the near post,an absolutely cracking finish and a fitting end to an interesting,competitive game….Full-Time  2-0.

SUMMARY

The management would,I’m sure,call it a professional performance and hard-fought three points,certainly laid the Harwich ghost of previous seasons.It was a workmanlike display without the usual show of flair and classy interchange passing play we’ve become accustomed to in recent times.However,a well-disciplined showing and the back-four were extremely impressive,Jack Gregory outstanding in the sweeper role[but can’t held feeling a sacrifice to Stanway’s attacking options] and Coonor Todd an excellent performance in goal.Grant Donaldson back to solid and dependable best,Liam Chawner strong without frills and probably takes a back-seat when playing alongside Jack Gregory.Midfield workrate Joe Parfiit immense,Sulab good in spells,Jake Hammarton the pick of the attacking options with that deceptive languid style but great vision and intelligent distribution.Jordan Cox a willing runner but not profiting from very good service today,Nat Wares not quite as explosive as early season form.Overall a good win and structured shape to the team,bring on the STANWAY DERBY match!!

Clive’s Man-of-the-Match: Pockets of decent displays today but lack of consistency generally,not precious enough in possession and not predatory or as threatening in attack as previously.So,the lack of creativity and clear chances put the emphasis on defence to protect the slender advantage throughout,so award jointly to  CONNOR TODD/JACK GREGORY.

                                                                                                                                                  Clive