After a long journey but a great win on Monday night at Northallerton, the Stan were back at Grounsell Park for their 4^th home match in 9 days. It was always going to be a tough affair for the Stan as 2^nd placed Whickham hoped to return to the top and help their promotion chances although at least there was no sloping pitch, as at the Glebe, to assist the visitors. There was one change with Shane Jones replacing Fulcher who was injured during the warm up.

A healthy crowd of 116 watched the action begin on a sunny night and after 3 minutes Salim crossed into the box but Whickham keeper Mordy caught the ball. The Stan mainly kept the ball in the Whickham half for the 1^st 7 minutes then an attack by the visitors was easily stopped. Both teams had an attack on 12 minutes, although it was Whickham’s last until the 25^th minute, with Smith having to catch before the Stan attacked which saw a Holland cross blocked for a corner.

Soon after the Stan attacked again and Burns had the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside. It was all Stan and the pressure paid off in 21 minutes when a Stan attack saw the ball go to Salim by the corner flag and, with plenty of time to choose his target due to a hesitant defender, he sent his cross into the box where Imray confidently headed in for 1-0. What a goal!

The Stan searched for a 2^nd goal and Wright had 2 efforts before a couple of Whickham attacks were cleared in 25 minutes. Salim, who was working his socks off, won the ball and sent it up to the advancing Wright who shot over from outside the box. Salim then ran down the wing taking on the defence. He was blocked twice but his ball was missed by the other forwards though soon after Burns headed wide. In 27 minutes another solo run by Salim saw a great effort blocked by the keeper.

There was a rare moment of pressure for Smith in 31 minutes when he got up for a ball and didn’t hold it although the rebound shot was blasted over. 3 minutes later and Burns shot wide from the edge of the box. Sayer then passed to Imray whose shot was deflected for a corner. It led to a 2^nd corner which saw the ball pushed out to Jones on the left who sent it superbly back into Wright on the right who blasted it into the net.

The visitors then managed 2 attacks and a shot which was comfortably saved before it was back to the Stan with 2 minutes to go when a Holland run and cross resultied in Burns heading at the keeper. Wright then hit the post before a Whickham attack was cleared but the half finished with a long cross ball to Wright who controlled it and, to the shock of the Stan Army, passed to Burns whose shot was blocked.

Whickham started the 2^nd half more lively with Smith having to make a catch and the 1^st Stan attacks didn’t come until the 50^th minute when Wright was blocked by the keeper then a defender. Whickham then had a shot blocked and Smith got up for a corner but took 2 attempts to catch. In 53 minutes Salim was brought down just outside the box and Imray’s free kick went just wide. Hall then cleared a Whickham attack and they also had a shot from a corner blocked. Jones then sent a great ball up to Wright who was blocked by the advancing keeper.

Smith then made 2 catches and then after a Stan attack which the keeper held at the 2^nd attempt, a Whickham shot, after an initial clearance, hit off the underside of the bar out off the line but offside was also given. The Stan were up for the challenge and countered. Burns then broke and passed to Salim who was deliberately blocked by the no4 who received a yellow card. Smith was called on 3 times before Wright led another attack resulting in a corner.

In 69 minutes a great run by Burns saw Salim miss the cross but Wright managed to get the ball but his shot was blocked by the keeper, A minute later the Stan attacked again with Salim’s shot hitting the keeper but the ball kept rolling and he followed it and blasted it into the empty net for 3-0. Salim broke again and was dreadfully brought down from behind which saw the Whickham player booked. Wright took the free kick but his 40 yard shot was blocked.

In 75 minutes Wright twisted and turned and his shot was nearly turned into the net by a defender. Salim then sent 2 shots just wide and he kept attacking again and again. The Stan were also tackling well in their own half when required and Hall made a good clearance. With 3 minutes to go, Whickham headed over. Soon after Holland won the ball and ran then passed down the wing to Wright whose shot from a tight angle went over. Burns was booked for a tackle but it was all Stan as the match finished 3-0.

The temperature was chilly as the match ended but more so for Whickham who were thoroughly beaten and had their promotion challenge dented. Manager Dekka Thompson was delighted with the result and the players’ commitment and work rate. So, in 9 days the Stan have won 5 out of 5 matches and are closing in on the promotion placed teams though there are still 6 games to be played in an 8-day period. The Stan Army were of the collective view that it was the best performance of the 5 matches and that the players looked like they were sprinting rather than finishing a marathon.

Team: Smith; Parker; Sayer; Wear; Hall; Jones; Holland; Imray; Wright; Salim (Laidler 86); Burns.

Subs not used: Doyle; Fulcher; Hoggins.

Goals: Imray 21, Wright 36, Salim 70.

Yellow Card: Burns.

Attendance: 116.

Kevin Mochrie