Stow Town sailed into the second round of the Knockout cup, with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Elmswell. First half goals from Jacob and Ellis preceded a Harrison brace to set up a tie with Walsham le Willows in the next tie.
Manager Neil made two changes from last week's draw with Thurston, Jacob coming in for absent Jack, and last week's supersub Henry replaced James. Ryan started the game on the left flank, as Jamie couldn't make this week either, and Harrison was pushed up front.
Town had the opening two efforts on goal, and somehow neither went in. A ball from the right was whipped in, and Harrison found himself in acres of space, but somehow struck just wide. Jacob suffered a similar fate, a long shot from Harvey looked to be skewing wide, but our right winger stuck a foot out, only for the ball to sneak just round the post.
Ten minutes later, we were made to pay for missed chances. After Dan had tipped an attempt from them round the post, chaos ensued from the resulting corner. What looked like an overhit cross, was failed to be dealt with by a crop of players, before the ball fell to the Elmswell attacker, who blasted home.
However, it didn't take Stow long to reply. Liam received the ball halfway into the Elmswell half. He played a high ball into the area, which the opposition failed to deal with, and Jacob was there with a crucial touch to equalise.
Minutes later, it got even better. With five minutes to go until the half-way stage, Ellis picked the ball up just in his own half. He sent the ball flying upfield, but it kept going and going, until shouts from the crowd: "It's there!" confirmed the inevitable. Fluke or not, it was a great way to end the first half, and as the sides went in, it was clear neither team had yet to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but Ellis' wonder goal gave Stow the edge.
Half time saw James and Matty enter the fray, replacing Henry and Cookie respectively. The second period started slowly, and Stow didn't look threatened. Harvey sent a free kick wide, before Henry returned to the field replacing goalscorer Jacob. Town continued to play good football, and used the left flank, and Ryan, several times. Eventually, the predictable two-goal cushion arrived, Harrison finding himself in the box, and slotted home.
Minutes later, H converted his second: a looping effort from the edge of the box, that managed to loop over the keeper. Stow had the game sewn up, and it looked that way, they looked so far in the ascendancy. The use of the flanks was positive despite the absent Jamie and Jack. Harvey had a stinging shot saved, although he deserved a goal for a tough-tackling display.
The last action of the game turned out to be a goal, and an Elmswell counter-attacking goal it was. Harvey tripped over the ball whilst attacking and Elmswell broke. Town regained the ball, but a communicative mix-up between George and Dan, left them to slot home, to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
And that was the way it finished: a very comfortable victory for Stow Town, but in the end, it's one step closer to Gainsborough and lifting silverware.
Next week it's Derby Day, as we travel to Falcons. That's something to look forward to, as is our game with Walsham, and that's down to this well-worked performance.
