STANWAY WIN THE ERRINGTON CHALLENGE CUP

Rovers power to a big victory to claim Errington Challenge Cup[b][/b]

Romford 0 - 4 Stanway Rovers

Match Report by Scott W [@ScottMHC14]

A special foray in early May saw another Errington Challenge Cup Final take place at Heybridge Swifts’ Scraley Road 3G ground. Play-off & FA Vase Finalists Romford took on improving Stanway Rovers for the historic trophy. This is one of the highlights of the season and we didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal. On five minutes, Stanway’s fast counter-attack saw striker Harry Thomas find George Okoye with a fine, weighted pass and Okoye bypassed Romford stopper Way Baker when one-on-one and found the corner of the net. A good start for stand-in boss Rick Andrews’ team and both sides traded chances as the match went on. The impressive winger Jamie Bennett fired over after making a good darting run from the left flank for Rovers and soon afterward, Boro forward Charlie Morris made a fine run himself to conjure up some space but his strike was wide of the left side of goal. Morris was Romford’s main threat at this point in proceedings and after garnering more space in the 18-yard box, his pass across the face of goal had to be dealt with by Stanway’s Tyler Corlett.

Rovers responded and with a hammerblow to Boro’s Cup chances with two goals in two minutes. First, on twenty-three minutes after good work on the right flank by Okoye, skipper Reece Conway timed his run superbly before headed in powerfully past Baker. Then a minute later, forward Tom Maycock’s fine & low drive from about eighteen yards found the net. The Romford contingent were still urging their team on and they did push forward, as Morris had a good header which came off the woodwork just before the half-hour. Energetic midfielder Jacob Wiggins also had a set-piece thunder off the goal frame with half-time approaching but for the most part Stanway were in command and still carried a threat themselves with their incisive play.

Half-Time: Romford 0 - 3 Stanway Rovers

The Blues made three changes at the interval and Messrs Deering, Nalbant & Pinto did give them some renewed vigour going forward. Sam Deering did have a couple of good passes cleared as Joe Debell & Corlett typified their side’s resolve to not give their opponents any whiff of getting back in the game. Romford still put the effort in, as a fierce drive by captain Kris Newby needed a decent save by Stanway custodian Callum Robinson to deny him. Rovers had two chances in the latter fifteen minutes as Maycock fizzed a free-kick not far off-target before two substitutes combined with Ellis Girling putting in a fine cross which Nathaniel Mardell sent a powerful header wide. The fourth goal did come on the ninety with Mardell involved in the build-up and a neat finish by full-back Ricky Tarbard finding the net.
A few minutes of added-time passed though by the time referee Liam Giles blew the final whistle, Stanway could celebrate a well-deserved triumph and add their name on the Trophy, congratulations to Jamie Shaw, Rick Andrews and all the squad on a really good campaign overall.

Full-Time: Romford 0 - 4 Stanway Rovers

To summarise, Stanway took their chances well in the first half before riding out several waves of pressure from Boro, down in no small part to a resilient defensive display and neat passing from the entire team. The game was won well before the fourth goal came at game’s end, but for Romford, their toil in recent weeks affected the squad and although they were a threat at times, their performance was rather more disjointed than they would have liked. Stanway still have a Peter Butcher Trophy Semi-Final to play as they seek a rare Cup double & Romford have the huge FA Vase Final this weekend at Wembley.

For winners Stanway, captain Reece Conway again showed his importance to this team with a high-energy performance, making good runs from midfield and took his goal very well indeed. Centre-back Joe Debell also deserves a mention too for making several very good interceptions, alongside named Man of the Match Tyler Corlett in the Yellows defence. Winger Jamie Bennett really added pace and impetus to his team’s attacks, with good passing also as his side were unrelenting after the first goal was scored. Lastly, a word for Tom Maycock who enjoyed a good game, contributing to his side’s forward moves and showed good movement and netted a crisp goal too.

For Romford, their mentions start with forward Charlie Morris who really ran his heart out to give his side a goal threat and was unlucky not to score here, showing good energy and movement to break down the channels. Midfielder Jacob Wiggins also hit the woodwork but put in a good display, with good turns past opposition players and passing. Jaiden Babalola also did well in midfield, showing good physicality and good work rate. Finally, a mention for skipper Kris Newby who still put in some good passes and tackles in a mainly full-back role here.

------

Teams

Romford | Stand-in Manager: John Hughes | Assistant: Lee Benson

Starting XI (Subs) : 23 Wayne Baker (GK), 14 Kris Newby (Capt), 4 Jamie Hursit, 19 Darren Phillips (10 Sam Deering 46’), 3 Danny Hurford, 7 Lee Hursit (9 Hassan Nalbant 46’), 20 Jaiden Babalola, 12 Ashaan Siddik (8 Adalberto Pinto 46’), 15 Charlie Morris (2 Reece McGovern 87’), 18 Michael Bakare (11 Toheeb Elegushi 60’)

Booked: Pinto | Sub Not Used: None
___________________________________

Stanway Rovers | Stand-in Manager: Rick Andrews | Assistant: Anthony White

Starting XI (Subs) : 1 Callum Robinson (GK), 2 Ricky Tarbard, 3 Max Sherlock (16 Ellis Girling 74’], 5 Tyler Corlett, 6 Joe Debell, 4 Jordan Barnett, 8 Reece Conway (Capt), 10 Tom Maycock, 7 Jamie Bennett (14 Nathaniel Mardell 69’), 9 Harry Thomas (15 Jose Santa De La Paz 74’), 11 George Okoye (12 Freddy Cooper 84’)

Goal-scorers: George Okoye [5’], Reece Conway [23’], Tom Maycock [24’], Ricky Tarbard [90’]

Booked: Maycock, Robinson | Subs Not Used: Marigliani

____________________

Referee: Liam Giles
Assistants: Robert Collins & Chris Parkinson
Fourth Official: Alan Steward