The Stan headed North for the 3rd Annual trip to Lowland League opposition looking to keep up their unbeaten record against Scottish opponents.

This years hosts Whitehill Welfare, who met Celtic in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round in Jan 1996, finished 8th last season and had a big clear out during the summer with a new Chairman and Manager installed, and a large influx of new players and triallists.

With regulars Smith, Stoddart, Ray, Bailey, Imray, Fulcher, Deagle and Wright unavailable it was a new look Stan squad that boarded the bus with new signings Dodds,Watchman, Ayala Portella, Laidler and McCarthy supplemented by the returning McKenna and Chapman, with Maughan guesting in goal.

The usual suspects made up a 20 strong travelling Stan Army with Noah and Paddy representing the Stan Cadets.

The bus finally rolled ino Fergusons Park after numereous Pit, Pint and Pish Stops and despite the rain never stopping from the time we left NE7 the pitch was in fine nick.

Joe Wear led the lads out and it was the Stan who got the game underway in a 3-5-2 formation as the rain continued. An end to end start saw both teams force corners in the first minute and then one of Welfare's triallists (No 17) missed a glorious chance in the second. The hosts were dominating and Carter sliced wide after Maughan had fumbled in the 4th minute, but after Yates had fired over for the Stan it was Robinson who gave us a surprise lead in the 9th minute when he slipped a neat finish wide of the advancing keeper from 12 yards after being set up by Yates who had been released by fine ball from Johnson.

Welfare were finding space down the Stan's left and 17 again shot wide when well placed with the hosts also forcing another pair of corners which came to nothing.

The Stan responded with Robinson having a shot blocked, Holland a shot saved and winning their second corner but it was 17 for Welfare who had another great chance when he latched onto a short backpass from Laidler but again couldn't convert. The Stan were forced into an early change when Dodds limped off with a knee injury to be replaced by Watchman, and then the Legend Yates treat the crowd to his chicken dance when he stood on the ball after interceptng a backpass inside the Whitehill box.

Whitehill increased the pressure and had 3 efforts in the 36th minute with Maughan making a fine save, the rebound being blocked and the 3rd deflected over for their 4th corner which led to No 17 shooting wide, again. The half came to a close with McKenna shooting wide for Whitehill and then 17 , who's trial was going from bad to worse, having another effort saved when well placed. Dan Robinson then intercepted another short back pass but the keeper was off his line quickly to block and so Half Time arrived with the Stan holding a slender advantage.

HALF TIME: Whitehill Welfare 0 - 1 The Stan

Whitehill made 6 changes at the break with the newcomers including two French Triallists and they were straight back on the attack with Kasse heading over from their 6th corner on 47 minutes. The Stan hit back, and after first shooting over the bar, Dan Robinson should have increased the lead on 53 when through one on one but the keeper made a good save.

Willsa James then made a suberb block to preserve the lead after Johnson had lost possession before the Stan introduced McKenna, McCarthy and Ayala Portella for Yates, Johnson and Jones.

Whitehill's 7th corner was eventually cleared on 63 minutes and Robinson replied with a break from half way but he shot wide, before being replaced by Hoggins who had missed the whole of last season due to injury.

The Stan won 4 corners in the next 5 minutes but Chapman and Ayala Portella's deliveries were easily dealt with by the home defence. The Ref was beginning to anger the travelling Stan Army with numerous 'home' decisions and both Chapman and McCarthy were spoken to as tempers began to rise.

The Stan gave away a needless free kick on 83 minutes and were punished when Kidd headed the ball back across the 6 yard line for Kasse and the big French triallist turned home the equaliser.

The Stan responded almost immediately and won a free kick of their own, and after Ayala Portella's cross wasn't dealt with Richie Hoggins swivelled and fired the winner from close range on 85 minutes. It may have only been a tap in in a meaningless friendly in the middle of nowhere, but for anyone connected to the Stan who know's how hard Richie has worked to come back from a career threating injury after 20 months out, it meant as much as Dicka's 93rd minute winner v Blyth last year.

It was the Stan who finished the stronger with McCarthy drawing a good save from the keeper on 88 and Chapman's free kick from 25 yards sailing over the top a minute later before Mr Grieve signalled the end of the game.

FULL TIME: Whitehill Welfare 1 - 2 The Stan

Decent performances from all with Chappas, Shane and Dan standing out although it might have been a different result if Welfare had taken their chances in the first half.

The players and fans crammed into Whitehill's homely clubhouse to dry off and enjoy the hospitality as the rain continued to chuck it down. Legend Yates' explained his chicken dance whilst Dicka, who had failed a fitness test and enjoyed the hosts hospitality more than most, tried his best to knock a table or two over before the bus returned us back over the border with our unbeaten European record still intact.

A quick pint in Berwick saw Richie dropped a peg or two as Decka reminded him who's the boss on the Pool Table and the bus dropped us back at the Stan just in time for one of the Stan Army to spew on Newton Road , and then with an accuracy that Gary Yates would be proud of, drop his phone into it!

Team 3-5-2 : Maughan; Dodds (Watchman 28), James, Wear (C); Chapman, Holland, Johnson (McCarthy 58), Jones (Ayala Portella 62), Laidler; Yates (McKenna 55), Robinson (Hoggins 65).

Subs Not Used: Dixon

Goals: Robinson 9, Hoggins 85.

Attendance: 130

Simon Lansley