Report

For the 3rd pre-season in a row, the Stan travelled to Seaham Red Star for the Tyne & Wear derby. The Stan showed their resilience, to come from behind twice to win 3-2. The narrow win means that the Stan remain unbeaten after 6 friendlies.

The Stan threatened early as in the 2nd minute Djalo’s shot from the right was deflected just wide for a corner from which the home keeper caught the ball. It was mainly Stan possession until the 8th minute when a loose ball saw a home player advance & shoot into the net from just inside the Stan box to give Seaham the lead. In 10 minutes, an Errington shot was parried by the Seaham keeper & Hopper’s rebound header was cleared. In 12 minutes, Djalo broke forward & although he was blocked by the keeper, he got the ball again & slotted it into the net for 1-1. In 16 minutes, a Stan attack was blocked for a corner. From it, a Giraud high ball into the box was caught by the home keeper. 3 minutes later & another Giraud shot was blocked. In 20 minutes, a Seaham attack saw a shot deflected for a corner & soon after they had another shot which went well over the Stan bar. The home keeper cleared a Stan effort in the 23rd minute. Soon after, a Giraud free kick was headed wide by Djalo although the flag was also up for off side. Both teams were trying to attack & in the 33rd minute Fil had to head clear. Soon after, Seaham sent a cross into the Stan box & hit the top of the crossbar. In 36 minutes, Capewell broke & passed to Djalo whose shot was easily caught by the home keeper. 3 minutes later & an Errington shot went just wide. The Stan attacked again but in 43 minutes they were again behind. The home keeper took a free kick & sent the ball up the pitch to a Seaham player who shot from outside the box past Basey. Despite having had few chances, Seaham went into the half time break 2-1 up.

Although the sun was behind the Stan in the 2nd half, both teams started the half trying to attack although nothing much happened for the 1st 15 minutes. In the 60th minute, Morris had the opportunity to shoot to score but the home keeper got to the ball 1st. A long ball to Djalo then came to nothing. In 67 minutes, Morris advanced & was brought down in the Seaham box but nothing was given. In the 70th minute, Enwere passed to Boothroyd but his miss hit shot was easily caught by the keeper. The Stan kept the pressure on & it eventually paid off in the 78th minute when, from a Giraud corner, Enwere got up to head into the Seaham net for 2-2. Seaham were getting increasingly physical, especially their number 4 who was booked for a bad tackle on Giraud in the 79th minute then substituted. In the 80th minute, the resulting free kick from halfway saw the Stan take the lead. Giraud’s free kick went to Morris on the right of the Seaham goal who headed back to Storey who blasted the ball into the Seaham net via the underside of the crossbar. The Stan continued to press & Giraud passed to the advancing Enwere who headed under pressure & the ball went out for a corner. From the corner, Shepherd headed over the bar. In 83 minutes, an injury to Robson saw him have to be replaced by Jones. After 87 minutes, Boothroyd broke into the Seaham box & the ball was deflected out but the corner was not given. The Stan kept the pressure on, but the match ended still 3-2 to the Stan.

It was a hard-working performance from the Stan against increasingly physical opposition. The effort paid off though with the team going from trailing 1-2 with 12 minutes to go to winning 3-2. The Stan now have a rest for 11 days before their final friendly which was supposed to be at home against Basford United but which is now away against Lancaster City.

Stan Team: Basey; Fil (Boothroyd 66); Hornsby (Chrisp 66); Robson (Jones 84); Capewell (Riley 66); Shepherd; Hopper (Hornsby 84); Chrisp (Storey 46); Djalo (Enwere 69); Giraud; Errington (Morris 59).
All subs used. No cards.

Kevin Mochrie