The Stan Army were in force, especially for a cold Tuesday night in Teesside, for the clash between the teams 4th and 5th in the league. This was a big match for the Stan and you could tell that the team and the fans were up for it even if they were not as noisy at times as Statler and Waldorf the 2 cockney Town fans. After no changes in the last 3, fit again Deagle replaced not totally fit Robinson while O’Brien replaced Ray who was late from work. Deagle played as an extra centre half until Ray replaced O’Brien in the 31st minute.

Town had a corner in the 1st minute from which the ball went straight to Smith. They attacked again before Wright countered and earned a corner from which Holland’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked for a 2nd corner which led to Jones shooting wide. Town then had a free kick which hit the wall and was caught by Smith. In the 6th minute the advancing Wright was flattened. A minute later and another solo run by Wright saw him run into the box from the right and beat a defender before, from a tight angle, shooting into the far corner of the net to make it 1-0.

After 10 minutes, Holland was fouled but Wright’s free kick hit the wall and Johnson’s rebound shot went over the bar. 4 minutes later Town had a free kick cleared and soon after Smith made another catch before a Jones effort from a free kick went just over. The Stan were getting forward whenever they could while Town players were going down as often as they could and this remained a feature of the rest of the match.

The Stan Army began to think there might be sniper loose on Teesside. In 23 minutes Wright again ran down the right but shot over from a tight angle. There was then a quieter period of play with some Town attacks and the odd Stan counter. The last 10 minutes of the half saw Town pressurise for an equaliser. Smith caught a free kick and although he spilled the ball he recovered it just before an advancing home player could get to it. Smith and his defence were working well and he blocked a long shot in 43 minutes. Imray then shot from outside the box before a Town effort went just wide. Town ended the half in control but 1-0 down.

The 2nd half started with attacks at either end. In 51 minutes, a Jones corner was punched clear by the keeper and it went to Ray who shot over. 3 minutes later, Johnson countered and sent a long ball to the advancing Jones who crossed to Deagle who shot straight at the keeper. Town then counter-attacked but Smith got down well to catch the ball.

The Stan then had a period of pressure with a ball from Wright, after good work by Johnson, being headed off the goal-line in 56 minutes. Town then shot just over followed by Jones being impeded running into the box but Wright’s free-kick went well over. It was a bit like ping pong as both teams tried to get forward but with few real chances although in 71 minutes a Jones 40-yard free kick was caught on the line by the home keeper.

Much of the play was now in the middle of the pitch although Smith caught the ball in 82 minutes followed by a block. 4 minutes later a great turn and run by Wright some him unfortunately shoot sideways. Smith then showed his quality again when he ran out to clear the ball from an advancing home forward. Wright then forced a corner and soon after a home free-kick went just over the bar.

The referee did a magic trick and conjured up over 6 minutes of injury time from nowhere. The Stan attacked although Town countered with Smith clearing and soon after the ball was cleared off the Stan goal line. From a corner, Smith made a great close save. After another Town corner, the still fast Holland counter-attacked but he shot over. Town attacked again but Wright got the ball up the other end again.

The Stan Army were relieved to eventually here the final whistle which sounded an 8th win in a row and 33 out of 36 points. It was a competitive hard fought match and the Stan showed their pedigree by scoring a goal early on and then confidently holding onto it. The Stan are now consolidated in 5th place and are only 1 point behind 4th placed Town with a game in hand. 3rd place Synthonia are also now nearer but although it is on the tip of many fans’ tongues, it is still too early to use the P word.

Team 4-4-2: Smith; Stoddart; Dixon; O’Brien (Ray 31); Wear; Imray; Holland; Johnson (Fulcher 90); Wright; Jones (Robinson 75); Deagle.

Goals: Wright 7.

Yellow Cards: Ray, Wright, Deagle.

Attendance: 138

Kevin Mochrie