Report

Unfortunately, after 7 matches, the Stan finally suffered their 1^st away defeat of 2025. It was against play off placed Newton Aycliffe & there was no shortage of drama & controversy which were both mainly caused by the referee. There were no changes from last week’s home win over Bishop Auckland.

Newton Aycliffe showed they meant business when in the 1^st minute they shot over then Stan’s bar. The Stan then had a corner which came to nothing. 3 minutes later & Aycliffe got the ball into the stan box, but Stephenson cleared for a corner. Capewell cleared it before Stephenson sent a long ball up to Lamb who lost out to the home defence. The Stan were pressing now & Lamb advanced upon the home keeper who caught the ball. Adamson then headed past the post before Aycliffe attacked but the Stan blocked them twice. In the 7^th minute, an Aycliffe corner was blocked in the 6-yard box & it was now the Stan defence who were working hard & they had to make 3 more clearances by the 10^th minute. There was controversy after 12 minutes when Hopper & Brown went up for a ball, but the latter dropped to the ground earning him an Oscar nomination. The referee sent Hopper off after pressure from the home side. The extra player for Aycliffe led to a period of home pressure. This paid off in the 17^th minute when, from a corner, a home header was missed by Brass under pressure & although Stephenson tried to stop the ball on the line it went into the net. 2 minutes later & Brass had to get down to catch. Capewell was then brought down in the home box, but nothing was given. In the 20th minute, Walker advanced down the right & was brought down. Stephenson’s free kick was headed just wide by Capewell at the far post. 3 minutes later & the home keeper got out to clear under pressure from Lamb. Both teams were trying to attack & Aycliffe shot well over in the 26^th minute. The Stan were 2-0 down in the 27^th minute when a poor clearance by Brass allowed a nearby home player to advance with the ball & because Brass & his defence couldn’t get the ball cleared, it was eventually forced into the net. Soon after there was an elbow on Slaughter & although a free kick was awarded, no cards were shown. The Stan didn’t give up & after Adamson had been shoved off the ball, Stephenson’s resulting free kick went just over the bar. Evans was then elbowed but only a yellow card was shown. Stephenson’s free kick from the incident went wide. In 36 minutes, Aycliffe shot just over from a corner. Slaughter then advanced but was stamped on & the only card shown was to Lamb for dissent. The Stan then had to clear & soon after Brass had to catch. Into added time, & Robson forced a corner & from it his glancing header went just wide. As the officials left the pitch, the conversations resulted in Dean Nicolson being booked & Brass being sent off..

Down to 9 men for the 2^nd half saw defender Marriott go in goals with Burn replacing Adamson. Aycliffe immediately tried to test Marriott with a shot from distance, but it went wide. The Stan attacked followed on 50 minutes by a long range home shot which was deflected just wide for a corner. Capewell cleared from the corner & there was another corner from a deflected shot 2 minutes later which saw a shot hitting the side netting. Aycliffe kept the pressure on but without really testing Marriott & in 55 minutes Capewell headed clear. In 59 minutes, Marriott easily made his 1^st catch. Aycliffe kept attacking & in 63 minutes they shot wide then well over the bar. In 66 minutes, a ball across the Stan box was missed by everyone. Capewell then cleared before a home long shot went well wide. In 69 minutes, the Stan had an attack cleared before more home pressure which the Stan again dealt with well. In the 74^th minute though, a home effort was blocked on the line but was forced into the net for 3-0 to Aycliffe. In 77 minutes, Marriott blocked an effort on the line, Robson then blocked before Marriott caught the ball. The Stan subs revitalised the team & in 78 minutes sub Hornsby supplied sub Groves who shot straight at the home keeper. Aycliffe then shot well wide. The Stan kept trying to attack but it was Aycliffe who shot well over in 85 minutes. In 89 minutes, after Evans had blocked a shot, Marriott made a great save. In 91 minutes, Hornsby tackled a home player to clear an attack in the box, but the referee awarded a penalty. Marriott went the correct way but could not stop the ball going into the net for 4-0 for Aycliffe.

The team gave a heroic 2^nd have performance despite being 2 players down & were unlucky to concede 2 further goals. It was a disappointing day on the road for the Stan & although Newton Aycliffe were always going to be a challenge, none of the Stan Army expected as heavy a defeat, inconsistent refereeing or 2 sending offs. Special praise must be given to stand in keeper Alfie Marriott who was awarded man of the match for his efforts. The defeat dropped the Stan into the relegation zone & one point from safety. Things brightened up by Monday though as Brighouse were deducted 3 points pushing the Stan back up 2 points & 1 place above the relegation zone. With 3 games to play the Stan are at home on Good Friday against Liversedge.

Kevin Mochrie

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