After three home wins in a row, the Stan were always going to find things more difficult against a challenging Ryhope side. The reporter was not at the ground for the start of this contest but left the note taking in the confident hands of Chief Groundsman Mike Chell.

Once the comments about the state of the pitch, Metroman’s marrows (the ground contains allotments along the edge of the ground in case you are puzzled) and fox deposits were ignored it became clear that although the Stan were putting up a good fight Ryhope had just edged it during the first thirty minutes.

The best chance in this period though fell to the Stan when a long shot from Deagle, which was saved by the Ryhope keeper, resulted in Creswick scoring with the rebound but from an offside position.

There continued to be attempts on goal by each team and although Ryhope continued to have more possession, the Stan had more chances. Just when it looked like it would be stalemate at halftime, Ben Telford tapped in from a corner to make it 1-0.

Two minutes into the second half it was Ryhope’s turn to score from a corner when Evans headed in to make it 1-1. In the sixty first minute the giants of Ryhope scored an almost identical goal when this time it was Appleby who headed in from a corner.

The Stan showed a battling spirit though and this was helped when Burns replaced Blakey. It was an individual moment of magic though that made it 2-2 in the seventy seventh minute. Telford got his second goal of the night when, running down the right, he had a shot from twenty five yards which the goalie missed.

There continued to be chances at either end although the best one came with five minutes to go when Burns broke through only to see the Ryhope keeper make a good save. This was then upstaged by an opportunistic long shot by Ryhope which luckily hit the bar.

The match ended 2-2 and most fans were happy with the draw although some also went home with marrows!

Stan Team: Rule; Telford; James; Stoddart; Pearson; McGarrigal; Creswick; Johnson, L; Blakey (Burns); Wear; Deagle.

Unused Subs: Yates; Hoggins.

Goals: Telford 44, 77

Attendance: 108

Kevin Mochrie