All good things must come to an end; so it was that Heaton Stannington’s unbeaten run from the start of the season ended with a whimper, as an efficient Stokesley side were full value for their win on a blustery afternoon at Grounsell Park. On an occasion where silver linings were in scant supply, the news that The Stan remained top of the table brought little gloom to a home camp who took defeat gracefully but despondently. If sporting clichés are to be believed, the club management will learn more about the squad and its mettle from this loss than the 1 draw and 5 wins that preceded it. With 3 successive away games at Chester Le Street Town, North Shields and Willington on the horizon, self-pity is not an option; there is no time for glum expressions and needless navel-gazing, as this is where the Northern League stops being an adventure and starts being something considerably more serious.

In all honesty, were it not for the crossbar, Stokesley could have been out of sight by half time. After a tight opening twenty minutes, with little tangible created by either side, the visitors came close to opening the scoring when defender Daniel Jones moved forward and unleashed a long range effort that cannoned off the bar, with Shaun Backhouse well beaten. The game then sprang to life, with Jonathan Wright breaking through on the left and firing a left footed effort just wide of the far post, with keeper Thomas Laverick relieved to see the ball roll to safety. However, this was an isolated moment of danger by The Stan as for the most part, Stokesley were well on top, proving themselves to be agile in defence and nimble in their threatening breaks in attack.

Despite Laverick saving astutely with his feet from a Lee Johnson effort, fashioned by an incisive pass from stand-in captain Gary Dixon, Stokesley remained forcefully in the ascendancy and were desperately unlucky not to break the deadlock on 27 minutes. Nathan Graham fired in a beautiful effort from distance that again slammed against Backhouse’s crossbar and flew away to safety. Alex Caisley also really ought to have scored for Stokesley, as the visitors broke in numbers, defeating The Stan’s offside trap, only for the chance to go begging courtesy of a profligate final effort. Only as the half drew to a close did The Stan assert themselves, with a great effort from Wright being deflected wide.

After the break, there were some signs of a continued home revival, as Brian Dodsworth was unlucky to hit the side netting from a tight angle. Lee Johnson’s low cross just eluded Johnny Mann in front of goal and another dodsworth effort drifted wide, as both sides endured a frustrating time of it as the stiffening breeze did neither team any favours. Despite a more effective performance in the second half by The Stan, it was Stokesley who claimed the points with the only goal of the game on 63 minutes. Reece Kelly ran on to a diagonal ball and deftly lifted the ball just over the on-rushing Backhouse, who got fingers to the shot, but not enough contact to stop it rolling over the line. Ten minutes later Backhouse won a rematch with Kelly; making a superb block at Kelly’s feet.

As the clock ran down, The Stan’s efforts to get back in to the game became less structured and more desperate. Other than a superb save by Laverick from Lee Johnson’s forceful downward header and a trademark Wright blockbuster that was deflected wide, the frustrations grew; it was just one of those days when nothing went right for the home side and a decent away team did their job and came away with a deserved 3 points. Unlucky lads!!

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Attendance: 79

Kevin Mochrie