Dragons Despair

Wivenhoe came into this game as underdogs, playing away from home with no recognised goalkeeper. Matt Grove deputised between the posts and was protected by a back four of Connor Mainstone, Ben Fowler, Adam Frost and Matt Griffin. Sitting in front of them was a midfield three of Dan Morgan, Dan Homewood and Joel Shurvington. Owen Bryan returned to lead the attack and he was flanked by Josh Milburn and Jamie Baker.

It didn't start well for the blues, with Stanway looking dangerous down the flanks. The poor start was punished when a long ball from the goalkeeper, was collected by Lewis Blanchett, he weaved through serveral Wivenhoe defenders before scoring at the near post.
It was a kick up the backside that Wivenhoe needed and they started to get the ball down and play, Connor Mainstone and Matt Griffin utilisng the space in front of them and making positive attacking runs.
Stanway did have the ball in the back of the net, as another former Dragon Andrew Barber headed past Grove after a weakly awarded free kick. His celebration dampened by the linesmans flag.
Jamie Baker came close on two occasions before the half time whilstle, working hard to get on the end of a cross from the right and making the goalkeeper work from distance.

HT Stanway 1-0 Wivenhoe

The second half began with an equal amount of possesion. Stanway thought they had doubled their lead, only for it to be ruled out once more by the linesmans flag.
However it was Wivenhoe who scored the first goal of the second half. Neat short passing was concluded by a cross to the back post where Owen Bryan was on hand to tuck the ball in at the near post.
Evan Culmer went on a mazing run towards goal before being scythed down, the tackle forcing Culmer off of the pitch. Owen Bryan picked up the ball and his strike deflected off of the wall and into the net to give Wivenhoe the lead.
The onslaught then began. Stanway were piling players forward, at times playing with four forwards. Again they were rewarded with harsh free kicks, free kicks which weren't being given the other way.
Matt Grove making a phenomenal save to thwart the danger from a cross with ten minutes of normal time remaining.
One deserved free kick Stanway recieved was when Paul Goddard was being wrestled on the edge of the box in the 9th minute of added time. Blanchett placed the ball and curled it with his left foot into the top corner, wheeling away in celebration.

FT Stanway 2-2 Wivenhoe

With a weakened squad, Wivenhoe's motivation was low to begin this game. They soon found confidence and matched Stanway for 90 minutes (with the ten minutes of added time). The celebrations of the Stanway squad after Blanchett's equaliser, showed what an important point it was for both sides. Wivenhoe remain above Stanway in the league, however Stanway have a game in hand.