Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup - Round 2

Stanway Pegasus FC, affectionately known as "Pego," are set to host Hoddesdon Town FC in the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup 2nd Round this Wednesday evening. The game will kick off at 7:45 PM at West Street Arena, the home of Coggeshall Town, and promises to be an exciting encounter between two determined sides.

Stanway Pegasus FC: The Rise of 'Pego'

Stanway Pegasus may have been formed in 2018, but the club's roots run deep. They emerged from the historic AFC Pegasus, Colchester's most successful Sunday League side, which claimed 64 honours over three decades, under the guidance of Paul and Heather Booth. Originating even earlier in 1985 as Pegasus Youth, the club has a storied history in the Colchester Youth League dating back to the 1970s, founded by Peter Peters.

The transition from Sunday League to Saturday football in 2018 marked a new chapter for the club, with a clear pathway established from youth to senior football. As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, Stanway Pegasus prides itself on its process-focused youth setup, led by FA-qualified coaches, where every member contributes toward a shared philosophy of development and growth.

Rosi Webb: Leading 'Pego' to New Heights

At the helm of Stanway Pegasus is Rosi Webb, a former Tottenham and Charlton youth player, who has quickly made her mark as the UK's highest-ranked female manager in men's football. Just a few years into her role, Webb has already led her side to remarkable success. She won the Essex & Suffolk Border League title in the 2021/22 season, with an impressive 32 wins from 34 games, remaining unbeaten for the entire season, and amassing a staggering 126 goals scored, whilst conceding just 23. Currently, Stanway Pegasus play in step six of the English non-league pyramid, sitting near the top of the Eastern Counties League First Division North.

Webb, who holds a UEFA B coaching license and aspires to attain the A license, is committed to her own growth as a coach and sees Stanway Pegasus as the perfect environment for her development. "It's going to take a few years, but I want to coach as high as I can," Webb recently told BBC Essex.

Webb is passionate about developing young talent, mirroring the club’s philosophy. "We want to have a youth section where those players eventually play for the first team… we don't want to be one of those clubs where they get to senior football and look elsewhere," she explained. Her approach emphasises sustainability, ensuring that the club isn’t reliant on recruiting new players every season.

Webb has brought a fresh perspective to the club, citing former Charlton midfielder Paul Mortimer as her biggest coaching influence and is grateful for the support from club owner Ian Booth, who promoted her from coach to manager. "I'm extremely proud of what I've achieved, but also what the club's achieved," Webb said. "Not many clubs would have given me the opportunity."

It has been a solid start for our hosts so far this season.

Sitting 3rd in the league with 6 wins and 3 defeats from their opening fixtures, there is real cause for excitement this season. Pegasus also have no problem finding the back of the net, hitting five goals in a game, twice already this season, against Leiston Under 23s and Gorleston Reserves. Indeed, they average 2.4 goals a game, having registered 22 goals so far, whilst only conceding 6. They are also unbeaten at home, with all three of their defeats coming on the road, and have only conceded one goal in their three home games. Goalkeeper Samuel Felgate is proving to be an expert shot stopper and Hoddesdon will have their work cut out in trying to beat the Liverpool supporting, former Little Oakley goalkeeper.

Road Haulage Operations Manager by day, captain Max Booth, is certainly one to watch, with 6 goals already in 9 starts and has the potential to cause Hoddesdon real trouble. The former Needham Market, Ipswich Town, Colchester United, AFC Sudbury, Stanway Rovers, FC Clacton, Cambridge City, Coggeshall Town and Brightlingsea Regent player, operates in the number 10 role for Pegasus and bagged 19 goals last year, despite missing the first three months of the season.

In the same campaign, Dean Ager also notched 25 goals for the Colchester based side but he left for pastures new during the off season, as did their top goalscorer Callum Griffith, who left Pego for Brantham Athletic in the summer, off the back of an incredible 35 goals in 45 games in all competitions.

Despite the outgoings, it's clear that our hosts still have plenty of firepower in the tank and it would be foolish to think that they are 'goal shy'. After all, in that famous 'Invincible' season of 2021/22, captain Booth helped himself to a phenomenal 34 goals in just 23 appearances in the Step 7 Essex & Suffolk Border League, that included no less than five hat trick's. A player who clearly has the ability to play higher up the football pyramid is a welcome sight for the home fans and will surely once again end the season with an absolute hatful of goals, assuming he stays injury free.

Last time out, Pegasus registered an impressive 3-0 away win at Holbeach United, with a brace from Jordan Robertson accompanying a goal from the afore mentioned Booth.

You can follow our hosts on X by clicking HERE or check out their website by clicking HERE.

The Challenge Ahead

Hoddesdon Town FC will arrive at The West Street Arena looking to halt a yellow momentum. They already have a win under their belts at this venue, having defeated Coggeshall Town 2-0 in their opening league game of the new campaign, with goals from Connor Casey and Callum Bennison.

However, the Lilywhites head into this game off the back off a very poor cup display away to Oxhey Jets last week, losing 4-1 in the Herts Charity Shield. Hopefully they can give a better account of themselves in this cup, and put to rest the painful memory of defeat last time out. Ben Clarke opened the scoring for Hoddesdon, but a disastrous second half saw Simon Riddle's men concede three goals and give last years Charity Shield runners up an easy path to the next round. It was as far away as you can get from the impressive 4-0 destruction away at Cannon's Wood in their last league fixture, before turning their attention to 'back to back' cup games. As last years Herts Centenary Trophy winners, it is hoped that Hoddesdon can rediscover that cup form, in time for Wednesday evening's game.

In team news, Bennison, Casey and Clarke all have three goals to their name and it is hoped that they all will be available to add their attacking prowess to the game. Jonah Evans continues to impress and the summer signing has firmly cemented his place in the starting XI. Only goalkeeper Liam Nugent has started all 9 games so far this season, but Jimmy Agnew, Ben Clarke, Bailey Eden and Jonah Evans all have 9 appearances for the Lilywhites, including coming off the bench.

Hoddesdon finally return home to Lowfield this coming Saturday (14th), as they host Hutton in the league. Playing your first nine games of the season away from home is always difficult to navigate, and many will be watching to see how the home form stacks up, but first, a tricky away tie at a side that are currently flying, has to be negotiated.

The draw in full for this competition is as follows:

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Challenge Cup

Round 1

Barkingside (ECS) 1 - 3 AS London (ECS)
Burnham Ramblers (ECS) 1-1 (Pens 3-5) Rayleigh Town (ECS)
Haverhill Borough (ECN) 4-1 St Margaretsbury (ECS)
Southend Manor (ECS) 1-1 (Pens 6-7) Basildon Town (ECS)
Whitton United (ECN) 4-1 Gorleston Reserves (ECN)
Wivenhoe Town (ECN) 0-5 Haverhill Rovers (ECN)
Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers (ECN) 3-1 Swaffham Town (ECN)
FC Baresi (ECS) 1-2 Newbury Forest (ECS)
FC Peterborough (ECN) 2-0 FC Parson Drove (ECN)
May & Baker (ECS) 5-0 NW London (ECS)

Round 2 Draw

Holbeach United (ECN) v. Pinchbeck United (ECN)
Haverhill Rovers (ECN) v. Dunmow Town (ECS)
Holland (ECN) v. Coggeshall Town (ECS)
Hutton (ECS) v. Basildon Town (ECS)
May & Baker (ECS) v. Hackney Wick (ECS)
Newbury Forest (ECS) v. AS London (ECS)
Cannons Wood (ECS) v. Rayleigh Town (ECS)
FC Peterborough (ECN) v. Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers (ECN)
Diss Town (ECN) v. Whitton United (ECN)
Framlingham Town (ECN) v. Harwich & Parkeston (ECN)
Harlow Town (Holders) (ECS) v. Haverhill Borough (ECN)
Stanway Pegasus (ECN) v. Hoddesdon Town (ECS)

Byes to Round 3
All Premier Division teams

(The Final is currently scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday, the 5th of May 2025, KO 3pm at a neutral venue)

Can Rosi Webb's "Pego" continue their impressive results with another dynamic performance, or will Simon Riddle's Hoddesdon Town spoil the party? Join us on Wednesday to find out!

All travelling support welcome.

Venue:
West Street Arena, home of Coggeshall Town

Kick-Off Time:
7:45 PM

(At the time of print, entrance fees at The West Street Arena are unknown. Keep your eyes on our social media channels for updates)

Enjoy the game.

#COYL