After 5 wins in 10 days you'd think the lads had earned a rest, unfortunately due to the bad weather and the FA's bizarre decision to extend the season by only 2 days we are now starting a run of 6 games in 10 days. We aren't alone, most other teams are playing 3 or 4 times a week which means squads are stretched to the limit and players playing when not 100% fit. The Stan went into this game with just the one change from Wednesday's win over Whickham with Adam Laidler replacing Lewis Burns on the left but with numerous other players turning out while nursing injuries.

This was Billingham's fifth game in 10 days and they came into the game on a high after a decent draw at League Leaders Blyth AFC on Wednesday, it was a much changed Town line up from our visit last season with the likes of Hutchinson and Dickinson having moved on.

After a minutes applause for recently deceased Committe Member Harry Taylor Senior, the hosts got the game underway in dry but breezy conditions on an excellent looking pitch, the Stan were first to show with Laidler and Sayer linking well down the left but Salim couldn't direct his header goalwards. The same combination combined again 2 minutes later but Wright shot over the top before a Kerridge shot for Town forced Smith into a save.

The Stan were dealt an early blow when Jones, who had been so influential on his return against Whickham on Wednesday, pulled up injured and had to be replaced by Fulcher on 16 minutes. Ducky's introduction was met with a chant of " he's got his hair on upside down" by Billy Town's Barmy Army, who brightened up a drab afternoon with their songs and chants.

The Stan continued to press and Holland shot over the top after a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box before he teed up Jon Jon who also shot over. It was obvious that the run of games was taking it's toll on both teams with the play being scrappy with both defences easily dealing with long balls, the Stan had to make another change on 22 mminutes when Imray limped off with a muscle injury to be replaced by Deagle.

The Stan continued to press and Wright found Salim at the near post but he was crowded out before he could get a shot at goal, a foul on Parker earned the Stan a free kick but he was lucky to only receive a yellow after kicking out at the perpetrator. The free kick came to nothing but Salim lit up a drab first half with a couple of runs that both won free kicks with Billingham's McDonald shown a yellow card for another foul.

The half ended with a Deagle shot going for a throw in which just about summed up the game as a whole.

HT Billy Town 0 -0 The Stan

The hosts started the second half brighter and Smith made a good save on 47 minutes to deny Lavin before Beddow shot wide. Parker was struggling with an injury and had to be replaced by Hoggins on 54 minutes with Holland switching to Right Back and Abu dropping into Midfield.

Billingham took the lead on 59 minute when a cross from the left found Hogan at the back post and he had time and space to curl a nice finish past Smith and into the net.

The Stan responded and Wright should have levelled on 66 minutes but he scuffed his shot across the face of goal after Hoggins had sent him clear, the Stan continued to attack and Fulcher just couldn't get on the end of Hoggins chest down before an optimistic shout for a penalty was waved away.

Mikey Hall was booked for a foul at the other end before Jon Jon was wrongly flagged for offside as he broke clean through. The Stan continued to press but lacked the imagination to create any real chances while fatigue meant that they were unable to put any pressure on Billingham as the game meandered to its end.

Laidler was booked for a foul at the end as tired legs won the day and it was a weary looking Stan that trudged off at the final whistle.

FT: Billy Town 1 - 0 The Stan

Take nothing away from Billingham, they had competed throughout and looked solid defensively and the one piece of class in the game had resulted in the only goal, but you got the feeling of "what might have been" for the Stan if they'd arrived with a fully fit squad and greater energy level's.

A day off on Sunday and then it starts all over again on Monday at Brandon, and again on Wednesday, and Thursday, and Saturday......and Monday.

Team 4-4-2 : Smith; Parker (Hoggins 54), Wear (C), Hall, Sayer; Jones (Fulcher 16), Imray (Deagle 22) , Holland, Laidler; Salim, Wright.

Yellow Cards: Parker, Laidler.

Attendance: 125.

Simon Lansley