Stanway Rovers

By Dave_LW16/9/2015 09:45Wed Sep 16 09:45:04 2015

Views: 1625

Just seen a report on the non league forum site on the Stanway Rovers v Needham Market replay which may be of interest - repeated in full below:

One of the biggest FA Cup shocks of the night, and fully deserved as well. Not only was the result a shock, but even more bewildering was the manner of it - so comfortable for the most part, and it could easily have been more emphatic for the ECL high-flyers.
This was one of the most gutless and spineless performance from a side two levels above their opponents that I can remember for some time. Not surprised Needham have struggled badly in their debut Ryman Premier season on this display. If they don't sort themselves out soon, these two could be in the same division next season - that hasn't happened for a while.

Right from the off, Stanway took the game to their higher level opponents, hassling and harrying them constantly, and that led to a nervy Needham inevitably making a mistake within the first ten minutes that gifted Stanway the lead, when a ball upfield deflected off a centre-half, straight in to the path of Clowsley on the edge of the box, who drilled the ball home.
There was no sign of the hosts sitting on that lead, as they created a few more openings, before another bad mistake gifted Stanway a penalty, after keeper Phillips spilled a long throw, which fell towards a Stanway player, only for the goalie to push him away. No mistake from Hughes, and suddenly an upset was well and truly on.
Needham struggled to get any hold in the game, and the home side continued to look more likely to add to their lead, with another 2-3 great chances, before right on half time, it finally came, when a free kick was headed back across goal and bundled in.

After being sent out of the dressing rooms several minutes early, expected Needham to throw the kitchen sink at Stanway in the second 45. However within a couple of minutes, whilst Stanway prepared to take a corner, Phillips stupidly threw a punch at a player, which was seen by the ref, and rightly got his marching orders. What a total prat.
From then on, there was only going to be one winner. Needham did actually improve, as often happens after a sending off, but created precious little, with one of the few half chances being a shot at an angle in to the side netting. The Stanway keeper I don't think had a single save to make, and on several occasions, looking comfortable, his side threatened to score on the break, as Needham pushed bodies forward.
To cap off a miserable night for the Suffolk side late on, they were reduced to nine, and another straight red - this time for a badly timed tackle, although from my slightly obscured sighting of the incident it might have been a little harsh. Needham did continue to create space despite an even greater numerical disadvantage, but had nothing to show for it. A night to forget for them.

Huge crowd by Stanway's standards, including a large number of Needham supporters, who made the short journey down the A12. I bet many wish they hadn't bothered on this woeful performance.

Further improvements to the Hawthorns since the end of last season. There is now cover behind the far goal - similar in nature to behind the other goal. The stand also appears to be a bit bigger, with some kind of gap between the at-cost stands. Not sure it's got enough seats still though? Also a series of portacabins now in the nearside corner on the stand side. Not sure what those are for, unless they are adding another turnstile there? Can't imagine there's much left to get the ground up to Ryman North standard?
They still do ales on tap in the clubhouse, too. No. 1 from Colchester Brewery was on display, although the other one had run out it seemed, but couldn't see what it was.

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