The final game of a highly satisfying season saw the Stan entertain the newly installed 2nd Div Champions Stockton Town. The Teesiders, who are worthy champions in their first ever season in the Northern League, were to be presented with the trophy after the game and brought a bus full of fans to witness, which provided a cracking atmosphere to a good game.

The visitors included club record scorer Kallum Hannah, and Joe Carter who had scored twice in the 0 3 reverse at Stockton in September.

The Stan made one change from the win at Blyth Town with Lee Johnson replacing Joe Fulcher, and Jon Wright and Will James both returning to the bench. Although promotion had just been beyond us, we still needed a point from the game to guarantee fourth place and our highest ever finish since returning to the Northern League.

There was a nice touch from the Stan players and Staff as they lined up before the Kick Off to give the Champions a Guard of Honour as they came onto the pitch and it was the Stan who then got the game underway attacking the Car Park End.

Stockton forced the games first corner in the second minute and after it was partially cleared Hayes shot over the top. The Stan were next to show and Dixon clipped the top of the Stockton bar with a 25 yard volley in the 3rd minute and Imray's corner a minute later was scrambled clear.

On 10 minutes Matty Smith had to turn a deep cross over the top for another Stockton corner which resulted in Nicholson shooting wide and then Hannah shot over as the visitors got on top, but the the Stan responded with Robinson turning inside the box but Dixon just couldn't get a touch on his cross along the 6 yard line. Gary Yates was next to have a go for the Stan but his shot was wide before sustained Stockton presssure saw Hannah sidefoot wide, then Smith turn a Hayes shot over and from the resulting corner Lee Johnson cleared off the line from another Nicholson effort.

Nevertheless the Stan were matching Stockton and took the lead with a penalty on 39 minutes when a break down the left saw a lovely flick from Johnson play Robinson in and he was bundled over by a Stockton defender, Gary Yates took the kick and rolled it into the bottom left corner past the motionless Arthur. The Stan could have had a second on the stroke of half time when more good work by Robinson teed up Imray but his shot was scuffed and made for an easy save for Arthur meaning the Stan went in at the break with one goal advantage.

Half Time: Stan 1 0 Stockton Town

The visitors were straight on the attack after the break, looking to keep an unbeaten league run since 1st November going, and after Hannah had a shot deflected wide for their fifth corner they soon won a sixth although both came to nothing. Hannah was involved again on 52 minutes but Smith was equal to his shot and within a minute Dan Robinson had a glorious chance for the Stan but the ball got caught under his feet as he turned in the box and the keeper was able to collect.

The Stan were to rue this miss as after Couthard rattled the post with a fine header the visitors got a deserved equaliser 2 minutes later when Coleman found himself in space on the right and advanced before clipping a fine finish over the exposed Smith.

The Stan made changes with Wright and James replacing Yates and Deagle but it was Stockton who came closest when the impressive Woodhouse curled an efort away from Smith but against the post on 59 minutes. The Stan rallied though and a minute later a suberb cross from Holland found Dixon who's header bounced inches wide of the far post with the keeper nowhere. Next a fine move involving Dixon, Wright and Imray got Holland in behind but he lost balance at a crucial moment and the chance was gone.

Shane Jones was introduced for Lee Johnson on 65 minutes and Stockton utilised their 3 subs between the 69th and 74th minutes as both teams looked for a winner. Wright looked to be in after a fine Jones pass but the keeper blocked before Carter then shot over the top for Stockton. Nicholson then looked to have won it for Stockton on 82 minutes when he headed over Smith from a corner but a brilliant flying header from Ray on the goalline got the ball over the bar and protected the Stan's hard earned point.

Stockton still had time to earn their 8th and 9th corners of the game but Smith was equal to them and the Stan responded with a Jones free kick, after a foul and yellow card for Stockton Sub Johnson, which was cleared.

Mr Chambers signalled the end of a highly enjoyable game on 92 minutes and the Northern League Officials were on hand to present Stockton with the Second Division Trophy straight after.

The Stan had more than matched the Champions and should be rightly proud of their fourth place finish, which the current squad (plus additions ?) are more than capable of improving on next year. The Stan finished the season with a suberb away record of 14 wins from 20 games but it was the 6 home defeats that proved costly as we surrendered 3rd place to Synners, although considering the size of their budget we did tremendously well to run them so close.

The till in the clubhouse was ringing long into the night as both teams celebrated excellent seasons and we wish Stockton well in the First Division next year, could it be us joining them a year from now?

Until we meet again in July, everyone at the Stan would like to thank our tremendous army of volunteers and fans for your superb support and loyalty.

You'll never know how much it is appreciated.

Team 4-4-2: Smith; Stoddart, Deagle (James 57), Wear (C), Ray; Imray ,Holland, Johnson (Jones 65), Dixon; Yates (Wright 56), Robinson.

Goals: Yates 39 (pen)

Attendance: 184

Simon Lansley

Thanks to Dean Charlton letting us use some of his photos in this gallery.