The Stan went into their final game of the season, on a sunny bank holiday Monday morning, knowing that whatever the result they would finish 5^th. A win for the Stan would mean that Whickham would not be promoted. As a result, there was a big crowd including a significant Stan following.

There were 2 changes with Andy Robertson making his 1^st start since injury and there were no subs due to injuries and hangovers. Sadly, it was also super-keeper Matt ‘Safe Hands’ Smith’s last game as he is finishing university soon and returning to West Yorkshire.

Wickham started on the attack with balls from a corner and a free kick going wide. In 4 minutes the Stan attacked for the 1^st time with Salim blocked twice and a Jones shot from a corner cleared. It was now all Stan and in 8 minutes a Wright free kick up hill was caught by the keeper. Whickham had 3 attacks before the Stan countered and Salim shot just wide. In 13 minutes Whickham hit the side netting and there were a few minutes of home pressure until their keeper had to make saves after 17 and 20 minutes.

Wright was playing well and managed to ride most tackles attempted on him. In 27 minutes, a great ball by Holland into Robertson saw him wrongly flagged for off side. Wickham then attacked and the ball was not cleared in the box which allowed a home player to get the ball and shoot past Smith. Whickham immediately nearly scored again when they headed just over. Both teams ended the half attacking when they could with both keepers put under pressure.

The Stan were put under early pressure in the 2nd half when Parker headed clear before 3 other Stan clearances. Wright attacked twice followed by Salim hitting the side netting. Smith caught in 58 minutes followed by a few minutes of Stan pressure with Wright hitting the bar. Although he had missed home keeper Mordey doing this on a number of occasions earlier in the match, the referee booked him for handling outside the box although the resulting Wright free kick came to nothing.

In 70 minutes Whickham’s Whorton got through the defence and tapped the ball past Smith for 2-0. Only 3 minutes later and the ball from a free kick went through the wall requiring a full stretch save from Smith. With Whickham winning comfortably, and Northallerton only drawing, the pace of the match slowed down.

Robertson was fouled just outside the home box in 81 minutes but nothing was given and a minute later Smith had to catch. 2 minutes later and the home keeper caught and he had to do so again during a late period of Stan pressure before the final whistle.

So another season ended but the team and the Stan Army can prepare positively for the challenges of another promotion push next season. Have a good summer and a break from football (well if you are a Scotland fan like this reporter).

Team: Smith; Holland; Parker; Wear (C), Hall; Fulcher; Jones; Imray; Wright; Robertson; Salim.

Attendance: 233

Kevin Mochrie