The night before the much anticipated Sunderland v Newcastle FA cup tie, the Stan travelled to Seaham for the 1^st Wearside v Tyneside match of the weekend. Both teams were up for it especially given the lack of matches over the last 2 months due to weather induced postponements. There was plenty of action, especially in the 1^st half, & it was the hard working Stan who deservedly came away with the 3 points. There were 4 changes from the Stan’s last match on 23 December, a 3-2 home win over Penrith. Brass, who took ill pre-match, Hornsby, Stephenson & Greenwood were replaced by Corkhill, Sayer, Slaughter & Lashley.

On a surprisingly pleasant evening, given that most other matches were postponed, both teams started positively with the Stan shooting over the Seaham bar in the 2^nd minute. Sayer then had a shot deflected but a bye kick was given. Red Star got their 1^st attack in 4 minutes, but the Stan defence easily dealt with it. There was more Seaham pressure for 3 minutes ending with a good clearance by Turnbull. It was the Stan though who scored in the 9^th minute. Lamb advanced but was blocked in front of the right corner flag although he managed to get the ball back to Evans behind him who sent a fantastic cross into the busy box for Carr to head confidently into the net. The goal spurred on both teams although the Stan were getting more attacks in than their hosts. Hopper made a great run forward in 19 minutes, but Lamb couldn’t get on the end of his pass. In 23 minutes, Seaham shot over from close range. It was end to end now as things heated up. In 31 minutes, a Red Star free kick was deflected for a corner from which they headed into the Stan net for the equaliser. In 34 minutes, Lamb was brought down & the resulting free kick was sent into the box, but Scott’s header was caught by the home keeper. Seaham countered but were blocked & the rebound shot from the edge of the box went just wide. Corkhill then sent the ball up the pitch & a mix up between the Seaham keeper, who was out of his box, & a defender allowed Lamb to collect the ball & walk it into an empty box then net to make it 2-1 to the Stan in 35 minutes. In 38 minutes, after some good work by Lashley, Hopper sent the ball into the box but it was caught by the home keeper. It was now one way traffic as the Stan continued to keep the pressure on the Seaham defence. In 43 minutes, a Lashley free kick into the home box was cleared &, supplied by Hopper & Reid, Lamb had a shot cleared. Evans then supplied Hopper who sent the ball across the edge of the home box but Lashley’s long range effort went well over. The half ended loudly, thanks to the very vocal home manager, who was booked, & his little helper in his Santa hat.

Red Star started the 2^nd half on the attack as they knew they could still take something from this match. Both teams were trying to attack but with no clear end product. Hopper made a great run & cross in 54 minutes, but the ball was cleared. Red Star then sent a ball into the Stan box which was blocked with the rebound shot going just over the bar. In 57 minutes, Corkhill parried the ball from a Seaham free kick then caught the rebound shot. There was more Seaham pressure & a long range effort went just wide in 61 minutes. 2 minutes later & Corkhill had to get down to make a save. The Stan then had some pressure including in 66 minutes when a sub Stephenson free kick was deflected by the wall but went just wide for a corner. The ball from the corner was cleared & Lamb’s rebound shot went wide. 2 minutes later Carr’s shot in a busy Seaham box was blocked with Evans then shooting just wide. A Red Star attack was then cleared followed by Corkhill getting down to easily catch another home effort. The end-to-end action continued but the teams were cancelling each other out. There was some late Red Star pressure as they frantically sought an equaliser, but the Stan held on & actually still tried to get forward when they could as the referee blew the final whistle in the 96^th minute.

The 2^nd half was quieter overall than the 1^st half & also goalless. It wasn’t helped by the rain which started in 60 minutes. The Stan got an important win but had to work hard for it during a competitive game. They are now back on Tyneside on Wednesday but away again at North Shields.

Kevin Mochrie

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On a sunny & mild summer’s evening the Stan made their first journey of their new Northern League Division 1 adventure. Although it was not a fairy tale ending, a clean sheet, 11 men on the pitch & and an away point was a satisfactory ending & a good base to build on. There was one change from Saturday’s cup win with Burn replacing Cowburn.

The match was played on a great pitch although it was a relatively quiet & even start. In 4 minutes the ball was sent to Hopper who advanced into the box & was brought down but the outcome was only a corner. From Cassidy’s corner, Anderson’s header was cleared off the line. Red Star countered but Evans intercepted. The Stan attacked again but the keeper got to the ball before Hopper. The Stan had 2 more attacks & the home side didn’t get the ball into the Stan box until 11 minutes but Flynn easily caught. 2 minutes later & Seaham had a corner which Bailey headed clear. Soon after Seaham shot wide.

Both teams were trying to attack although it was Seaham who now had a few efforts as the Stan went a bit quieter. In 27 minutes, Bailey sent the ball across the home goal but there was no one there to meet it. Burn sent the ball back in but the keeper punched the ball clear then also cleared the rebound shot. 5 minutes later it was Seaham’s turn to get a good attack & the Stan were lucky not to concede a goal. A shot into a crowded Stan box was blocked by Flynn then 2 rebound shots from close range were blocked.

A Stan corner in 34 minutes saw them put pressure on but Cassidy’s header was cleared. Seaham then had 3 attacks including one from which Flynn caught the ball. There was action in both halves as both teams continued to try to attack. The Stan were mainly channelling their efforts through Hopper who was being dealt with by the home defence & the half ended with a Seaham long range effort going well over.

Both teams started the 2nd half knowing that they could win the match although it was Seaham who put on early pressure with Flynn & his defence having to clear 4 times in the 1st 5 minutes. There was then a quiet period before Seaham shot wide in 54 minutes. Seaham then had a number of attacks again.

The Stan were still waiting for their 1st shot of the half as the home defence dealt with any of their advances. Ward replaced the tiring Hopper in 64 & immediately began to worry the home defence. In 71 minutes, from a Shepherd tackle, Seaham had a 30 yard free kick headed clear. A minute later as the Stan started a counter attack, Evans was brought down resulting in the Seaham no 6 being sent off.

Both teams were trying to put pressure on & in 80 minutes Anderson shot across goal then Ward’s shot was blocked. He was then brought down in the box but nothing was given. The Stan were now threatening but also had to watch out for potential Seaham counters. In 81 minutes Burn sent a long range effort well over & 4 minutes later Cowburn did the same. The Stan pressure continued into the final minutes & Anderson headed over the bar. Seaham were working well at the back to frustrate the Stan & also had a couple of late counter attacks. The match ended goalless & both teams should be happy with a point each.

Overall, a positive performance from the Stan although both teams were relatively evenly matched & cancelled each other out. There was also not enough time for the Stan to take advantage of the extra man. The Stan now welcome Whickham on Friday night.

Kevin Mochrie