The Stan were playing only their second home match of the year when Ryton & Crawcrook Albion visited the Grounsell. The Stan gave a debut to new glove man Jake Burns, not to be confused with the punk band Stiff Little Fingers front man of the same name.

On an all too rare spring like day it was Ryton who got the game away attacking the Church End. After 9 mins the Stan suffered a blow when striker Andy Robertson injured his ankle and had to be replaced by Abu. Ryton sensed Stan were regrouping and attacked but the Stan defence remained firm. On 23mins a good cross from Wotherspoon for the Stan but Hoggins couldn't get on the end of it. Abu was soon into the game but his shot lacked venom and direction and went harmlessly wide on 25mins.

Ryton were becoming more of a threat and when a good cross came into the box, it was Stephenson's looping header which caught Burns flat footed and trickled into the net on 30mins. More trouble for the Stan on 36mins but some good defending from Deagle kept the score at 0-1. Stan were fighting back and Bailey had a good effort deflected wide for a corner on 41mins. After 5mins extra time due to Robertsons injury the ref blew for half time.

Stan got the second half underway and a good start resulting in two quick corners but Ryton were more than up for the challenge. A great opportunity arose for the Stan but Wotherspoons free kick was easily saved by the Ryton gloveman on 52mins.

Ryton were doing the better work and the Stan were lucky not to fall further behind on 53mins with the keeper beat but the shot was cleared off the line. On 56mins a great effort by Hoggins but the Ryton keeper just does enough.

On the hour mark, a long ball by Ryton and Deagle fouls the Ryton man and the ref gives Deagle a straight red. Just to rub salt in the wounds, from the resulting free kick Ryton's Davis increases Ryton's lead with a nice goal.

More injury woes for the Stan on 66mins when Matty Parker is unable to continue and has to be replaced by Lee Middleton, a minute later Hoggins is replaced by returning jet setter Lewis Burns.

On 68mins a terrific ball in and three Stan players all go for it but none of them get on the end of it. Down to 10 men and searching for a way back into the game, it was no surprise that Ryton completed a throughly miserable afternoon for the Stan when Ryton substitute Hedley lobs the ball over the advancing Burns to make it 0-3 on 83mins.

It was relief when the official blew for full time, with the Stan well beaten.

Stan Team: Burns, Parker(Middleton), Deagle (c), Hall, Sayer, Holland, Bailey, Wotherspoon, Laidler, Robertson(Salim), Hoggins(Burns)

Sub Not Used: Joe Wear

Red Cards: Deagle

Attendance: 148

Kev Carling