After coming from behind to win at Brandon on Monday there was only 2 nights rest before the visit of Willington for the Stan’s last home match of the season. A Stan win was essential if promotion was to remain a realistic possibility with 4 games left to play by next Monday. With injuries, fatigue and availability an issue for all teams now, the Stan made 3 changes to the team and there was a return from retirement from the bench for Legend Gary Yates.

On a sunny cold night both teams started positively with Willington having to clear 1^st followed by Wright hitting the side netting. Although playing into the sun, Wright looked keen to get the 1^st of his 2^nd 100 goals for the Stan in the Northern League era and attacked whenever he could. Willington had just 1 attack after 2 minutes but it was then all Stan pressure for the next 20 minutes although without much end product and both teams looked relatively tired.

Laidler did head wide in 18 minutes and 3 minutes later, after a free kick, Wright hit the underside of the bar with the ball bouncing off the ground and into the keeper’s hands. Willington then had a shot which Smith caught. They then had a shot over the bar and soon after Smith had to clear.

The visitors were eventually getting into the game and in 26 minutes had the ball in the net but it was offside. Wright then won the ball near the away box but his effort was cleared. From 30 minutes onwards, Willington had a series of chances with only 1 Stan effort by Wright in 32 minutes which he blasted wide.

Willington had a free kick headed wide in 35 minutes as they continued to put pressure on and they then shot just over and 2 minutes later just wide. They shot wide again before the Stan got their 1^st attack for a while in 42 minutes although Willington immediately countered and Smith had to punch the ball away. Another away attack was blocked before the ball was cleared and Smith caught.

Burns got the ball forward but Smith had to catch again although Parker then sent great ball up to Burns who was tackled in the box. 2 minutes into injury time Willington had a corner which was headed away to a Willington player who tapped to a teammate in the middle of the box who then slotted the ball into the net. It was a blow to the Stan but had been coming.

Holland replaced Laidler at half time and the late goal or Dekka’s ‘team talk’ seemed to spur on the Stan as they came out livelier with Wright shooting over. They kept attacking including in 49 minutes Parker getting forward and shooting just wide. Wright then tried a long shot which skimmed the post.

Willington didn’t get their 1^st attack of the half until a free kick in 51 minutes although the Stan immediately countered. The visitors had another couple of attacks before Wright got the better of 2 defenders but his good effort was blocked by the keeper.

It was end to end stuff now. In 57 minutes Wright won the ball but his shot was deflected for a corner from which the keeper punched clear. From the throw in, the ball was headed clear before Parker shot just wide.

It was mainly all Stan now and Wright got past the defence and into the box but the keeper caught. Holland then crossed into the box but both Fulcher and then Wright were blocked. A long ball saw Hoggins and the keeper get up but both missed and a defender cleared. Willington countered but bored Smith was out to clear.

Willington got a corner in 65 minutes which was headed clear before the visitors shot over. It was back to Stan pressure forcing a Willington clearance and a catch by the keeper. The visitors then put the ball out for a corner from a Smith long kick.

It was mainly all Stan but the Willington defence and keeper were solid. In 75 minutes a Willington forward got past Smith but his shot was blocked on the line by another forward. Hoggins and Wright were getting forward whenever they could and in 78 minutes Hoggins was brought down in the box but nothing was given.

After a Willington attack, the Stan countered and a great high ball in by Wright was punched clear by the keeper. Sayer shot over before it was Wright again with his final effort.

So, the promotion dream was almost terminally dented and a special mention has to be made to Willington keeper Lewis who had a great performance especially in the 2^nd half.

Team: Smith; Parker; Sayer; Wear (C), Hall; Fulcher; Burns (Yates 63 (Salim 85)); Jones; Wright; Hoggins; Laidler (Holland 46).

Subs not used: Middleton; Deagle.

Yellow Card: Holland.

Attendance: 115.

Kevin Mochrie