Early Exit For Hawks In BBC Essex Senior Cup

After playing Burnham Ramblers in the BBC Essex Senior Cup in September and winning 3-1, the reds’ confidence going into the second round should have been high, but playing Essex Senior League side, Stanway Rovers proved an issue for them in the end.

In fairness to the Hawks, it was a much-changed team from the side that had just defeated Burnham Ramblers 6-0 in the Thurlow Nunn League; star-forward Raheem Gray found himself cup-tied after appearing in the competition for Frenford already this season. With Gavin Cockman already injured, it meant that our only striker was Ishaq Ameen, so Chapman decided to play Junior Dadson up front alongside him, continuing to play the 3-5-2 formation. Taylor Hastings regained his place in the starting XI ahead of Fabion Simms, and Korede Da Silva and Bobby Kirby also started. Defender Daniel Heald was signed on a dual registration from Bishops Stortford Swifts, and he was named on the bench for this tie.

Stanway caused problems for the Harlow defence right from the word go, and as a result we saw a man-of-the-match performance in the first half from James Pellin. Just five minutes into the game, we saw the first of many great saves from James Pellin – parrying away a shot on his near post. Stanway refused to give up and created a great opportunity just yards from the goal, but hit a “goal-kick style” effort straight over the bar and into the industrial area behind.

Despite Stanway clearly being dominant, Harlow had a few chances. Namely, a corner came into the box and it was met by James Folkes, who’s header left a lot to be desired.

The real definitive moment in the game came when a Stanway forward found himself one-on-one with James Pellin, taking the ball round the Harlow keeper and being taken out in the process. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot and Stanway had an opportunity to take the lead. They confidently took the chance, slotting it down the middle and Stanway’s early pressure had paid off.

The chances continued to fall for Stanway; James Pellin had to make a simply incredible low save to his left to prevent Stanway from extending their lead. Soon after, he faced another volley that was well within his reach and he parried it away well. The closest the home side came to scoring after this was a shot from thirty yards that had beaten James Pellin and could only be denied by the crossbar – the whole crowd watching in amazement as three follow up shots were blocked heroically. Stanway didn’t let their failure to score affect them and used their momentum well, earning a free kick from 25 yards that was well saved by a diving Pellin. Their final chance of the half came from a volleyed opportunity that was hit straight down the throat of James Pellin, who caught it well but had to be substituted at the break for Glenn Roberts, due to an injury.

The second half was a continuation of the first half in that Stanway were thirsty for a second goal, and although Roberts had only made one previous appearance for the Hawks, this didn’t stop him from making a number of top saves. The first of which was a shot blasted low at his near-post that he dived well towards and palmed out for a corner. Eventually, the pressure paid off and Stanway hit another low-effort at the near post which snuck in and settled the tie for them.

Stanway continued to have the better of the possession and chances, with Glenn Roberts making 2 good saves – one coming from a free kick. However, Harlow kept fighting and had a late push, bringing on Leon Antoine and Dan Heald, but they failed to score and the game finished 2-0 with Stanway progressing to the next round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup.