The Stan had a long journey to play Sheffield, the oldest football club in the world, who currently play in North Derbyshire. There was to be no pre-Christmas cheer though for the travelling Stan Army as their team were beaten 5-1. There were 3 changes from the defeat at Bishop Auckland 2 weeks ago with Hornsby, Anderson & Errington, who was making his 1st start for the Stan, replacing Slaughter, Lamb & Stephenson. After long absences due to injury, Hopper & Bailey returned to the bench with the former joining the action after 59 minutes.
The match started with not much happening although unfortunately things changed in the 13th minute when Sheffield took the lead though Mangham who put the ball over the Stan defence &, although De Jesus got a hand to it, it rolled into the Stan net. Things got worse in 37 minutes when De Jesus was out of his goal allowing Bedford to put the ball into the empty net from long range. The Stan’s 1st clear effort came in 39 minutes when Burn crossed to Spence, but his shot was blocked by a defender. Evans sent the ball back into the box, but Thompson’s header as caught by the home keeper. 4 minutes later & a shot by Burn from the edge of the box was cleared & the half ended with the Stan trailing 2-0.
Ten seconds into the 2nd half & there was more gloom for the stan as Ayres made it 3-0 for Sheffield. Things picked up for the Stan in the 53rd minute when Spence got the ball in the middle of the park & confidently put his effort into the back of the home net. The Stan were again 3 goals behind though after 60 minutes thanks to an overhead effort which made it 4-1 to Sheffield. 3 minutes later & it was 5-1 when a home player broke forward & rounded De Jesus to shoot into an empty net. The final 20 minutes of the match saw the Stan finally get into the match but unfortunately none of their many chances ended up in the Sheffield net.
Despite a late rally, the Stan were comfortably beaten by the league’s bottom side. Out of character, they have conceded 9 goals in the last 2 games & now sit one place above the relegation zone on goal difference. The Stan now host Stocksbridge Park Steels on Wednesday night before they return to Derbyshire next Saturday to play Belper Town.
Kevin Mochrie
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