A penalty by Harry Talbot was not enough as Great Wakering Rovers were well beaten by the league leaders Stanway Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

Two early first half goals from Maycock and Debell made the task already hard enough despite the ever trying efforts from the young rovers attackers but the strong defence of the league leaders were well organised to keep the visitors at bay.

Harry Talbot did bring a goal back from the spot after Callum Boylan was brought down in the box but Maycock scored again eight minutes from time to ensure the league leaders claimed all three points.

Great Wakering Rovers were dealt with a blow early in the second half as Harry Brown made way due to a shoulder issue and defender Harrison Topliss was out with a foot injury. Perry Dunn & Alfie Whiteaker stepped up in defence for the day as the only changes from the Barking defeat.

KICKOFF:

The game started off as a cagey affair in such wet conditions, this made it difficult for both teams as players struggled to maintain control of the ball on the wet surface.

The league leaders soon broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box to Tom Maycock who took one touch and curled the ball into the bottom left corner to give the home side the lead.

The goal had been coming but Rovers continued to knock on the door but just couldn't bypass the defence.

However, five minutes from time, Rovers forward Harry Brown had to make way after a reoccurring shoulder issue forced him to withdraw for Harry Talbot.

It got even worse for the Rovers as just before halftime, Stanway Rovers scored a second.

Reece Harris delivered a free kick from the halfway line and Joe Debell lost his marker inside the box and volleyed the ball into the left past George Martin.

Halftime: Stanway Rovers 2-0 Rovers

The second half contained more duels but lacked quality, with both sides lacking composure and passing patterns.

Rovers had the first attempt when Ben Search won a free kick on the right hand side just outside the box but his fierce strike went over the bar. With an hour gone, Stanway had a good chance to grab a third when a corner wasn't cleared again but James Bennett's efforts were well blocked by Perry Dunn and Thomas Barton and the ball was cleared.

With twenty minutes to go, rovers were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty. Dominic Locke played a through ball to Callum Boylan on the left wing and managed to cut into the box and was brought down and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Harry Talbot stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom right to pull a goal back for the rovers.

It wasn't to be the day for the rovers however as just under ten minutes from time, Stanway Rovers added their third of the game. Bennett won a corner for the home side, the original corner is cleared back to Harris who whipped in another dangerous delivery, many players from Bennett to Conway in the area had swipes at the ball but Debell eventually smashed the ball into the net to ensure victory for the league leaders.

In stoppage time, George Martin was called upon when he did well to palm away a long range effort from Mardell. Rovers then had one more chance at goal when Callum Boylan unleashed a fierce strike on the right but Robinson did well to save at his near post before the ball was cleared.

Fulltime: Stanway Rovers 3-1 Rovers

Great Wakering Rovers must now regroup for a midweek clash with Athletic Newham and a home league match as they host Clacton. Well done to the almost thirty travelling fans who turned out for the team.