HARWICH 2 AFC DUNSTABLE 4
Harwich & Parkeston FC 2 AFC Dunstable 4 (1-1 Half time)
F.A. Cup extra preliminary round
The Royal Oak Ground, Saturday 2nd August 2025.
Attendance – 390
Match report by Richard Church.
Our first competitive game of the season took us on a day out to the seaside (even though we didn’t see the sea or get an ice cream!) at a superb old school ground – the home of Harwich since 1898, with some excellent hospitality from our gracious hosts, a very decent entertaining game of football to watch and a place in the next round of the F.A. Cup to boot!
The game started very evenly with both teams creating early chances. Seans 3rd minute shot in to the side netting being the first chance to open the scoring closely followed by a neat turn and shot from Tali that went just over the bar. The hosts should have scored with 10 gone when their striker had a glorious chance but an excellent point blank save from Matt kept the scores level. 11 minutes later another smart save from Matt when he pushed the ball over the bar following a long punt upfield and a sharp first time shot. Sean then had a couple of opportunities – the first one with half an hour gone was a run and shot that went just wide and 2 minutes later a shot that required a decent save from the home goalie. Another chance just after that when a great ball was played in from wide by Joshua but no-one could quite make contact in the middle. On 37 minutes Carm put a ball in but Ethans deft header was just wide of the upright. With a minute of normal time to go, Ethan went down clutching his knee and he had to go off (to be replaced by Tommy) being supported by his team mates – hopefully nothing too serious – we all wish Ethan a speedy recovery.
Just as we went in to added time, the game then took an unexpected turn when very much against the run of play the home side took the lead from a corner. The ball was flicked on and their big centre half, Charlie Canham nodded the ball home at the far post. No more than a minute later, the ODs drew level when Tommy played the ball to Carm and his superb ball in to the box was met with a deft sidefoot finish from Sean to make in 1-1. Still time for another Harwich chance before half time but another excellent save from Matt from a free header kept the score level at half time.
The second half started in much the same manner as the first. Tali had an effort that he screwed just wide following a smart turn and shot and a Kyle header down to Sean was blasted over the bar. Harwich also had their chances but slowly but surely AFC started to take control of the game. Tali and Sean both had further opportunities to score before we finally took the lead just before the hour – Tali showed great composure as he controlled the ball on the edge of the box and played the ball to George – a glorious little one two with Tali allowed George the space to fire the ball in to the top corner of the net. AFC continued to create chances and it was absolutely no surprise when we went 3-1 up ten minutes later. George had a shot from wide out on the left which the goalkeeper could not handle and the ball bounced out to Tommy who smacked the ball home.
It was now all AFC and we were in control of the game. Both sides had a few half chances in this period – mostly long shots that were either high and wide or deflected away to safety. With 10 minutes of regular time to be played, AFC went further ahead. Maks received the ball out on the right and played the ball to Joshua who took the ball on and then hit a lovely cross straight on to Seans head to make it 4-1. Harwich gave themselves a bit of hope with 83 gone when some poor defending allowed Greg Rodger to fire home.
The home side had their tails up and pushed for a third goal but a couple more very decent saves by Matt saw us home and in to the next round of the cup with a trip to play Tilbury on Saturday the 16th. An excellent all round team display and deserved victory. A big welcome to the 6 players making their debuts today – Joshua, Carm, Wits, Aaron, Tom S. and Maks.
Man of the match (as decided by the AFC committee) was Tommy Blennerhasset.
Team line up (subs in brackets) ; Matt Bonsu, Joshua Clance-Anderson, Carmichael Uchenna (Carm) (Thomas Soames 75), George Joyce, Shawn Joseph, Mwita Mgoyo (Whits), Kyle Brooks, Abel Damoah-Kyeremeh (Maks Jarzabek 63), Ethan Holt (Tommy Blennerhasset 41),Sean Duodu (Aaron Addy 81), Tali Jallow
