Monday saw the return of the FA Schools National Cup to Harwich and Dovercourt High School with the visit of Stanway to play our Year 9 team.
The first ten minutes saw a dominant display from our boys only for Stanway to carve out the best chance of the game with Quinn Bird saving exceptionally from a one on one with the Stanway Striker.
Harwich continued to knock at the door of the Stanway goal with Adam Strange, Max Macdonald, Keenan Brown and Greg Rodger all going close. Towards the end of the half the Stanway keeper made a superb save from a 25 yard pile driver from Charlie Guiezlar but was finally beaten when another excellently delivered corner from Brown saw Rodger head powerfully home from inside the six yard box.
The second half began with a better start for Stanway and after five minutes they grabbed a scrappy equaliser against the run of play. The whole Harwich team kept their head and continued to work hard and play good, passing football which led to them regaining the lead with about 15 minutes to go. The ball was crossed in following some more probing wing play by Oli Wright with Macdonald on hand to stab the ball home from close range. Chances continued to come for Harwich, Quinn saved well from another Stanway counter attack and then Wright put the tie beyond doubt when he hit the top corner at the far post following a great cross from Guiezlar.
The whole team were outstanding but bonus sports personality points go to man of the match Greg Rodger for his tireless, end to end Captains performance. Three points to Yuki Jackson for his disciplined role in the CDM role and three to Josh Herbert for the way he kept quiet the Stanway number 11 who offered their greatest threat. Two points awarded to Olly Wright for his excellent impact off the bench.
The game was played in excellent sprit and Harwich were worthy winners – progressing to round two and another Home tie v Claydon High from Ipswich.
