The match at the ‘morgue’ survived the recent wet weather as the Stan took on the Division 1 leaders for a place in the semi-final of the senior cup. There were 2 changes from Saturday’s match and both teams fielded strong sides.

In front of a crowd of 218, both teams were up for it and attacked from the start. Shields had 2 early corners but the 1st clear chance came when Robinson broke free of the home defence but his effort was stopped by the keeper and Walton could not get to the rebound. Throughout the 1st half, Robinson’s pace was a constant problem for the Robins but he was quieter in the 2nd half when he picked up an injury. In the 11th minute, Dixon’s shot was caught but 2 minutes later a corner was headed in from the near post to make it 1-0 to the Shields. The Stan kept attacking, especially through long balls, but their next clear effort came in 20 minutes when a Deagle free kick was put just over by Robinson. After 2 more Stan attacks, a Shields attack beat the Stan defence but the resulting shot was put wide.

In the 26th minute, Deagle supplied Robinson whose shot hit off a defender but no corner was given. In the 29th minute the Stan cleared a home attack 3 times which was followed by an excellent Robinson counter attack where he outpaced the defence but was blocked by the advancing keeper. Shields then got into the box, with the Stan defence standing off, but luckily the shot was straight at Smith who caught it. Robinson had another counter attack after 35 minutes but the keeper got to it first. The last 10 minutes saw the home side having most of the possession and attacks apart from a few Stan counter attacks. In the 39th minute they battered the Stan defence but eventually shot straight at Smith. 3 minutes later and Smith saved a good shot from a free kick.

Just over a minute into the 2nd half and the ball was in the Stan net but it was offside. Blackett, who replaced Johnson at half time, then had a great run and passed to Robinson who was blocked. A minute later, and Robinson was held just outside the box but the decision was given the other way. Smith then caught a Shields’ effort and soon after Dixon won the ball back and passed to Robinson whose effort skimmed across the goal. Errington then tried a powerful shot that was caught by the keeper.

Blackett was working well and in 53 minutes he supplied Deagle who shot wide. Shields then attacked the Stan goal which required a good save and a catch by Smith. In 59 minutes, the home keeper again beat the accelerating Robinson to the ball. 3 minutes later and Errington headed out a Shields effort. From the corner, Smith failed to hold the ball and Shields then shot over. In the 65th minute, Shields had a free kick on the bye line by the corner flag. Poor defending allowed the ball to be sent out to the edge of the box and blasted into the net. A Robinson attack was then followed by another home goal in the 67th minute when the ball was passed across the box and tapped in to make it 3-0.

The home side’s superior fitness was now showing but although they were tiring, and Shields were getting faster, the Stan did not give up. Shields shot just wide in 73 minutes, but Blackett was then brought down in the box but nothing was given. 5 minutes later and Blackett passed to the advancing Yates who shot straight at the keeper. In 83 minutes, a Shields free kick was headed off the bar and over. Smith then managed to catch the ball before a Shields’ player could get his head to it. 4 minutes later and Smith cleared a shot off the line and then had to clear again.

Despite Shields late domination, the Stan ended the match with a multiple player attack which resulted in Dixon slicing his shot. The dream of a St James’ Park final is now over for another season but not without a good attempt to keep it alive.

Stan Team: Smith; Stoddart; Deagle; Errington; Williams; Fulcher; Imray; Johnson (Blackett); Robinson (Yates); Walton (McCabe); Dixon.

Subs (Unused): Wear.

Yellow Cards: Walton, Errington.

Attendance:

Kevin Mochrie