Report

The Stan made it 3 wins out of 3 in pre-season matches as they crossed the Tyne & made the ascent to take on Northern League Division 1 Whickham. Although the Stan started in control & took a 2-0 early lead, Whickham got more competitive as the half went on & made the Stan work for their 2-1 win. The fast paced 1st half was in contrast to the slower paced & less memorable 2nd half but a hard working Stan deserved their win. There were no debuts tonight, but 6 subs manged to get some 2nd half minutes under their belts & Kane Evans unusually started in midfield.

In the 3rd minute, there was an early great move by the Stan when Pearson crossed to the advancing Stephenson but the Whickham keeper got down to save his shot when it looked like it was going into the net. Both teams were trying to get forward, but it was the Stan who scored after 9 minutes when Pearson again supplied the advancing Stephenson who this time saw his shot go into the back of the net. Errington shot just wide in 13 minutes & a minute later the Stan were 2-0 up. A Stephenson corner saw Burn’s effort hit the post, but the ball came back out high to Errington who headed it into the net. In the 15th minute a Stephenson free kick got through the wall but the Whickham keeper got down to save. In 22 minutes, Errington supplied Beattie who saw his effort deflected over the bar for a corner. 2 minutes later & Brass had to make a double block. The now fast pace saw both teams trying to attack & in 32 minutes Beattie supplied Pearson but his shot from close range was deflected for a corner from which Capewell headed wide. In 36 minutes, a Whickham attack was not cleared in the busy Stan box & was forced into the net from the 6 yard box by a Whickham trialist. The home side were now getting back into the match, but the last move of the 1st half saw the Stan with a chance to increase their lead. Stephenson was brought down just outside the box & his resulting free kick was headed over the bar by Shepherd.

Maybe because it was an unusually warm evening, but the 2nd half started slowly & continued so for most of the time. In 55 minutes a Groves ball into the Whickham box was headed clear & 3 minutes later Errinington supplied Pearson who shot just wide. There were 6 Stan substitutions after 76 minutes but there continued to be limited action. In 81 minutes, a sub-Carr free kick into the Whickham box was blocked but landed with sub Storey who shot just wide. Whickham didn’t give up, but the match ended with a 2-1 win for the Stan.

So, it was a game of 2 halves but overall the Stan put in a good shift & their win was enjoyed by the Stan Army. Next up on Friday night is another pre-season trip over the Tyne but this time to Seaham Red Star.

Kevin Mochrie

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