Report

It took the Stan 38 seasons to reach their 1st Senior Cup final, 26 years to the 2nd & another 45 until their 3rd & 1st successful appearance but it’s only been a season since then & the Stan are going back to St James’ Park to defend the Senior Cup. The Stan had to come from behind against a competitive Newcastle University team who had taken an early lead & the match was pretty even at half time. Thanks to a motivational speech by manager Dean Nicholson at half time, the Stan came out all guns blazing & ended up winning comfortably. There were 2 changes from last Friday’s win over Ossett United with Payne & Pearson replacing Lamb & cup-tied Hornsby. 

Under very wet conditions, there was cup fever at Willow Park & the match started with the Stan almost immediately testing Logan the Uni keeper. In the 4th minute he had to get up to save to stop a Shepherd headed effort. The Uni then had 2 attacks from which Brass easily caught both times. In 7 minutes, a Stan corner was headed clear. Both teams were trying to attack but it was Newcastle Uni who took the lead in the 11th minute when a run down the left saw Powell take a speculative long range shot as other players were also advancing into the box & his effort went past Brass & into the net for 0-1. 3 minutes later & the Uni advanced again but Brass got down to save. The Stan were back level in the 19th minute when a Johnson run forced a corner. From it, Robson headed forcibly into the Uni net from 6 yards for his 1st Stan goal. Soon after, a long high Stan ball into the Uni box was cleared by Logan before Storey could get to it. In 25 minutes, an advancing Johnson was pulled back but nothing was given. There was then a joined-up Uni attack but it ended with them shooting well over when they should have scored. In 32 minutes, there was a sustained attack by the Uni with 2 clearances followed by a long-range effort that forced a great stretching save from Brass. In the 34th minute, Johson got the ball on the right & advanced & shot but his effort was deflected just wide for a corner. From it, Shepherd got up to head & the ball was deflected for a 2nd corner from it the ball hit the post & was then cleared. In 37 minutes, the Uni won the ball on the right & the ball was sent into the Stan box towards an advancing player sliding in, but he just missed the ball. In 41 minutes, after Hopper had been brought down, Chrisp’s free kick went high over the bar. The half ended with a Stan attack being blocked & the match being finally balanced.

It looked like the Stan team had been fed rockets at half time as they came out on fire & battered the Uni defence. In 47 minutes, a Stan attack saw the ball hit the post & then went off Logan in the Uni goal & out. From the resulting corner, there was a scramble before the ball was cleared off the line for another corner. From it, Logan got down to catch. After these 3 good efforts, the Stan scored in the 50th minute when an attack was cleared but the ball was put back in to Storey who put the ball in the net for 2-1. In 54 minutes, a Uni cross into the box led to Brass getting up to catch. The Stan then had a corner cleared & was followed by a Uni attack which ended with Brass getting down to catch. In 58 minutes, Pearson advanced with the ball & rounded Logan & confidently slotted the ball into the net for 3-1. A minute later & Logan got down to collect the ball just before Hopper got to it. There was then a long ball to Pearson who advanced under pressure, but his shot was blocked by the advancing Logan. In 62 minutes, Logan got to the ball just before Hopper. Soon after, the advancing Johson was blocked. In 68 minutes, Hopper broke with the ball & rounded 3 players but Logan dived at his feet to get the ball. In 69 minutes, a Uni attack from the right into the box was slotted just wide. The Stan were looking comfortable but the Uni were not giving up. In 73 minutes, Pearson shot straight at Logan. 2 minutes later, the Uni forced a great save from Brass. From the resulting corner, the ball went high & out. In 82 minutes, Lamb won the ball in the Uni box, but Logan made a good save to prevent him scoring. Hopper, who had been to Lamb’s right, then advanced & forced a great save from Logan. In 85 minutes, the Stan were 4-1 up when Logan couldn’t get his hands on a ball coming in from Burn on the right which allowed Hopper to slot the ball into the net. In 87 minutes, a throw in into the Stan box saw a Uni player brought down. From the resulting penalty, Brass went the right way & made a great save. Lamb countered & passed to Pearson on the left but his shot went just wide of the far post. Into 2 added minutes & in the 91st minute a ball in from the left to Pearson in the Uni box saw him blast the ball into the Uni net for 5-1. Soon after, Chrisp blasted over the Uni bar followed by the final whistle.

A game of 2 very different halves, saw the 2nd relatively one sided in the Stan’s favour as they scored 5 goals in total to win for the 2nd time in a row. Despite the score, congratulations must go to the Uni keeper Ross Logan who delivered a great performance. The Senior Cup final will be played at St James’ Park on Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm. Before that, the Stan have 2 final league matches with Grimsby away on Saturday & Hallam at home on the following Saturday.

Stan Team: Brass; Johnson; Chrisp; Robson; Capewell; Shepherd; Hopper; Payne (Burn 64); Pearson; Walker; Storey (Lamb 64). Subs not used: Gordon; Flynn; Errington. Attendance 436. Man of the Match: Sam Johnson.                  

Kevin Mochrie

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