The final game of 2013 was a most auspicious occasion; finally, after litanies of seemingly intractable obstacles were eventually overcome, the floodlights were up and fully operational during a game at Grounsell Park.

It was a sight that inspired supporters, officials and most of all, the players, as a fantastic crowd of 142 wree treated to perhaps the most important and most fitting win of the season. The wonderful, radiant beams from the four imposing columns shone brilliantly on the churned greensward as a determined Stan ground out a plucky, if not lucky, victory over a relentless Willington side who took the game to the home side from the first whistle to last.

Shaun Backhouse has played every single minute of Heaton Stanningtons games so far this season, but he was away on a snowboarding holiday, so in the absence of any other credible candidate Richie Hoggins stepped up to the plate and donned the gloves. he deserves enormous credit for that, as does Gary Dixon, who was fit again after his leg break in mid-September against Whickham to take his place on the bench. The scoring began when Paul Blakey, himself recently returned from injury, intercepted a loose ball after Willington keeper David Moffat had blocked a Wright effort and astutley lofted it into the net from fully 25 yards after only 4 minutes.

The lead lasted until 20 minutes, when Willington won a free kick out on the left and David Pinkney scored with an eye-catching effort into the roof of the net. However, it was eclipsed by a simply sublime winner by Wright on 28 minutes. Collecting a loose ball almost on the touchline near the 18 yard line, he unleashed a trademark ferocious drive that was clearly a goal from the moment he struck it.

Wright's sublime effort was a goal worthy of winning any game, but it was only tenacity and bravery of the home side, which defendly resolutely throughout the second period, that allowed The Stan to claim their ninth home win from 13 games. Despite Willington's relentless pressure, there waere few real alarms for Hoggins, other than an incredible goalmouth scramble in the 50th minute following an inswinging corner that caused chaos in the Stan penalty box.

However, Wright was twice inches away from Giving The Stan a two goal cushion, firstly Moffat palmed a low drive into the side netting on 55 minutesand secondly on 73 minutes, he turned and whistled a venomous, rasping snap shot just inches past the post, with the keeper well beaten. In the end, the first game under lights and the last one of 2013 was settled by Wright's brilliant effort. The irony being; all the goals were scored before the floodlights came on.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards: Iredale, Fulcher, Wright.

Goals: Blakey 4, Wright 28.

Attendance: 142.