As the first half drew to a close, with the score sheet still blank, mainly as result of aberrant Heaton Stannington finishing, it seemed unlikely that The Stan would leave The Glebe with anything less than a point after shading the opening period and creating the lion’s share of chances that were uniformly squandered. However, as the sun set, the temperature fell and the wind increased, it was the home side who deservedly took all 3 points with an assured second half display that pinned the visitors back into their defensive third for almost the entire second period and restricted The Stan to infrequent half chances while creating plenty for themselves at the other end.

Saturday gone had seen Whickham crushed 5-1 at champions elect North Shields, who The Stan had pushed all the way the previous Tuesday, but the team from The Glebe had won their 5 previous matches before coming up against the division’s best side at Ralph Gardener Park and it was that kind of form which helped the home team prevail.

The first goal after 53 minutes was a cameo finish by Tony Thirkell. Seconds after putting a free header from the 6 yard line wide of the post, Thirkell controlled a long ball over the top, chipped it over the on-rushing Shaun Backhouse’s head and slammed it into the net. Daniel Fitzpatrick could have extended the lead after crashing a drive from distance against the top of the bar, but the same player did make the points safe late on when evading Backhouse before thundering an effort that eluded both Richie Hoggins, on as a replacement for the injured Gary Dixon, and Ben Telford on the line. It was nothing less than the home side deserved.

Things had started so differently, as The Stan were in the ascendancy early on, providing the impressive travelling support with a high tempo, energetic opening that was regularly foiled by lusty, muscular clearances, often high into the darkening sky, courtesy of the no nonsense Whickham rearguard. Paul Mills fired a shot just wide in the opening exchanges, before heading over from a near post Jonathan Wright corner. Another Wright flag kick saw first Joe Wear and then Brian Dodsworth denied by clearances off the line from their two fine headers within the space of a couple of seconds.

Sadly, the inability of The Stan to take these chances was sufficient to ensure that they would leave The Glebe pointless and consigned, almost mathematically as well as in all probability, to spend next season in Division 2. Well played Whickham who provided superb hospitality and were more than worthy winners on the night. It wasn’t the case that The Stan didn’t turn up for the second period; rather the hosts upped their game considerably, a state of affairs Heaton were unable to provide an answer to. Sometimes one simply has to admit that the best team won; this is one of those occasions. However, there are still 4 games to play and so it is beholden of the whole team to try and garner the maximum number of points available in the remaining fixtures.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Attendance: 69

Kevin Mochrie