County Cups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP
 
 

COLCHESTER UTD   1 - 2   STANWAY RVS
 
Two well-taken goals from substitute Ray Turner saw Stanway Rovers grab a memorable 2-1 FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup Third Round victory over Coca-Cola Championship neighbours Colchester United at Layer Road.
 
Turner struck on 69 and 87 minutes to swing the tie in the favour of the Ridgeons League Premier Division side, who ply their trade seven division's below the U's. It was Colchester who created the early chances as Fabian Quintyn hit a 25-yard effort over the top and Tom Webb tested Rovers 'keeper Michael Church after digging-out a shot from twenty yards.

Photos courtesy of Matt Hudson
 
Stanway soon came to life and a Keith Emmerson free kick from the corner of the penalty area lobbed onto the roof of the net before Luke Callender just failed to connect at the far post from another Emmerson kick.
 
Two corners from Angelo Harrop also caused problems for the Colchester defence. Firstly, Michael Burch nodded inches wide of the upright and then goalkeeper Jack Smelt had to be in top form to tip Mark Gainsford's header over the top.

It was Colchester who took the lead, though, on 36 minutes with a well-crafted move. A great through-ball from Quintyn found England Under 17s star Medy Elito on the left flank, Elito cutting-in and tapping the ball across goal for Webb to finish at the far post.

Stanway started the second period the brighter, Smelt doing well to push away Ben Newson's low shot before Mitchell Nelson scrambled away the danger.

U's substitute Russell Malton could have done better when he headed Webb's cross into the gloves of Church and Webb had two opportunities himself before Rovers grabbed a leveller on 69 minutes, sloppy defending by James Hammond being punished by Turner who picked up a loose ball, turned, and fired beyond Smelt from eight yards.

Four minutes later, Rovers' Harrop was called into defensive action to hack Hammond's header off the line while, at the other end, a fine run from Sam Newson saw the substitute send a lob just over the top from the edge of the area.

With just three minutes left on the clock, the healthy Stanway contingent amongst the 508 crowd were left in raptures as their side grabbed the winner. Sam Newson flicked a low Callender cross into the path of Turner who slid home the decider at the far post.

Stanway were left with some anxious closing moments as Church held onto Nelson's header, from a Ben Griffiths centre, before pulling off a fine diving stop to keep out Perry Sansford's fierce shot. However, Rovers clung onto victory, at the same time writing a new chapter into their Club's history.

Colchester United: Jack Smelt, Ben Griffiths, John White, James Hammond, Mitchell Nelson, Jamie Wright, Nathan Speed (Perry Sansford, 62), Luke Guttridge (Sam Corcoran, 74), Fabian Quintyn (Russell Malton, 46), Tom Webb, Medy Elito. Unused Substitutes: Ryan Amass, James Eales.

Stanway Rovers: Michael Church, Martin Curtis, Keith Emmerson, Ross Crouch, Mark Gainsford, Michael Burch, Ben Newson (Sam Newson, 62), Angelo Harrop, Rob Thorne (Ray Turner, 62), Luke Callender, Jermaine Harewood. Unused Substitutes: Aaron Skeggs, Harry Schofield, Jaz Wiggins.

Bookings: None.

Attendance: 508.

Referee: Matt Stewart (Harwich).

Assistant Referees: Adam Crysell (Braintree) & Nigel Bond (Chelmsford).

Man of the Match: Angelo Harrop (Stanway Rovers) - Bossed the game in the centre of midfield. Showed great touches and created some great opportunities with brilliant vision and passing.