This report must begin with all of our best wishes to Gary Dixon, who suffered a broken leg midway through the second half of yesterday’s win, courtesy of a horribly late and undeniably crude and reckless, though in no way malicious, challenge on him by Whickham’s Rudi Nellis, whose own supporters were only too willing to acknowledge ought to have been punished by a red card. The fact it wasn’t is of no importance; what matters is that Dicka, who had been playing so well, recovers soon. All the best mate.

As regards more positive elements of the game, the most logical place to start is with the winning goal. Following the lengthy delay for Dixon’s injury, which necessitated him being chaired from the pitch by his team mates, the game was entering stoppage time when whistles were going around the country at the highest levels of the game.

Commentators who had been present on Wearside talked breathlessly of the quality of Alain Giroud’s opening goal for Arsenal. Having seen it later on Match of the Day, I can confirm it was only a pale imitation of the decisive strike fired home by Jonathan Wright in the 92nd minute of this encounter.

Defensive indecision on the touchline was punished by the quick thinking of substitute Lee Johnson, who drove into the box and instead of opting to shoot from a tight angle with Whickham keeper John Mordey presenting himself as an imposing target, The Stan striker crossed perfectly for the onrushing Wright to bury an emphatic first time left foot finish past Mordey’s despairing dive. It was a delightful goal and worthy of winning a game that had been the sporting equivalent of a war of attrition that seemed too tight to call and, until Wright’s brilliant late intervention, unlikely to see the sides separated at the final whistle.

It is questionable whether The Stan deserved all three points; what is not up for debate is that the visitors were by far the better side in the opening part of the game. With The Stan unable to put any real, meaningful possession or chances together, it was no great surprise when Whickham’s Tony Thirkell completed a move by scoring from a pass made by Steven Aiston on the quarter hour.

Ten minutes later, with very little to suggest that the home side were likely to cause Whickham any problems, the referee presented The Stan with a lifeline by awarding a highly contentious spot kick for a debatable handball by captain Michael Hedley. The disgusted Whickham contingent felt that Darryl Leach had been backing into Hedley, but they were unable to change the referee’s mind. Jonathan Wright cleared his mind of all doubts and emphatically crashed the ball home. From this point on The Stan began to exercise an amount of control. Wright could have given the home side the lead with a free kick, but the ball drifted just wide, while the recalled Dean Deagle, who had an excellent game, miskicked in the penalty after good work by Gary Dixon.

Early in the second half, Deagle again miskicked when well placed, this time from a Wright pass. After an understandably quiet period of the game following Dixon’s injury, Whickham had a goal chalked off when Thirkell’s smart finish was declared null and void by a linesman’s flag. Aiston had a presentable chance for Whickham, but after breaking through The Stan defence, he fired an effort across the face of goal.

The visitors then sought to exploit Hedley’s prodigious throw, but despite his efforts, Shaun Backhouse was not unduly extended and, despite Whickham being dangerous on the break, it seemed as if the game would end in a draw; until Wright’s late, brilliant intervention.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards: Hoggins, Lee Johnson.

Attendance: 95

Goals: Wright 26(pen), 90

Kevin Mochrie