After the disappointment of a third penalty shoot out defeat of the season at Willington on Wednesday the Stan arrived at Norton looking for three important points to get the season back on track, long term absentees Bailey, Imray, Robinson and Deagle were joined on the injured list by Regan, Bennett, Brook and Fulcher but Decka was still able name to a strong team which included a debut in goal for former Whickham stopper John Mordey.

The hosts, who now play at Norton after the closure of the once iconic Central Avenue, have recovered from a difficult start and started the game in 9th position, just 3 points behind the Stan. Former Boro and Man City Midfielder Jamie Pollock, who is Chairman and Manager, included former Gateshead and York City winger Alex Bruton and top scorer Kallum Hannah who had scored for Stockton v The Stan in 2016.

Synners kicked off on a decent looking pitch with conditions cold and breezy, the opening period was quiet with neither keeper being called into action but the hosts had the greater share of the play and looked quite lively without creating anything to worry the Stan defence.

That changed on 19 minutes when the Stan were slow to react to a flick on from a throw in and Pollock ran unchallenged into the box to slip a calm finish through Mordey's legs to give the hosts the lead with the first real chance of the game. It was Pollock again 3 minutes later but this time he shot over after a driving run through the middle, the Stan responded and won a free kick on the edge of the box but Charmey shot over the top but another free kick on 26 minutes found its way through to Middleton who guided a volley across the keeper and in at the far post.

The Stan grew in confidenece after the equaliser and Sayer should have done better with a header at the back post before the keeper punched a corner clear under pressure from Campbell. Campbell was involved again on 40 mins but his chest control from a fine Burns cross let him him down in the box and the chance was blocked. There was a let off for the Stan before half time when a free kick on the egde of the box took a deflection off the wall and wrong footed Mordey but the ball spun a yard wide.

HT: Synners 1 - 1 Stan

The Stan were first to show in the second half with Sayer breaking onto a flick on but shooting over the bar, but at the other end Middleton denied Johnson with a great tackle as he wriggled into the box. Johnson was then shown a yellow for blocking a quick free kick and, after Hoggins replaced Sayer with the Stan swapping to 4-3 -3 formation, Miller was also yellow carded for a foul.

Synners should have regained the lead on the hour when a free kick was deflected into the path of Tiffany, who was definitely alone, but the substitute shot horribly over the top from 12 yards. There was controversy on 65 minutes when Hannah elbowed Miller in front of the Referee but Mr Barron only showed a yellow card and followed it up with a yellow for Mordey for his push on Hannah afterwards.

Robertson then did well down the left but Campbell's shot from his cross was deflected wide, from the corner the keeper did well to punch clear and then claimed a second cross as the Stan took the upper hand. The pressure paid off a minute later when Thibault Charmey broke from inside his own half before releasing Campbell who had 3 to pick out in the box, i'd love to tell you that Campbell saw the keeper anticipating the cross and beat him at his near post but it looked more like a mis hit cross deceiving the keeper ( and if you've seen the photo of celebration where Connor's face is a picture of guilt, you'll know what I mean!), either way the Stan were in front.

Fox replaced Campbell on 73 and then Holland replaced Robertson on 75 as the Stan looked to see out the game but Pollock got in again before shooting over the top before a great cross from Middleton found Burns but his diving header flashed over the top.

All of the Stan's hard work was undone on 85 when a trip in the box on substitute Smith saw Synners awarded a penalty and Hannah buried it to Mordey's right despite the keeper going the right way. Within a minute however the Stan were back infront after a long ball wasn't dealt with and Holland set up Middleton who's cross was bundled in at the far post by Burns. The drama continued with Hannah finally being shown a red card after a foul on Mason in the 87th minute.

The Stan slowed it down and saw out the remaining time plus the 4 minutes added on with a great clearance from Miller inside his own 6 yard box being the only scare, although both Holland and Mason were shown yellow cards for fouls on Bruton, who despite being half the size of Josh Holland, had been a constant threat for Synners down the left.

FT: Synners 2 - 3 Stan

A hard earned, and just about deserved, three points for the Stan who had came from behind to lead, then been pegged back late on but still had the balls and energy to go and win it at the death. A decent all round team performance but Decka and Richie should be applauded for switching to 4-3-3 early in the second half and taking the game to Synners and being rewarded at the end.

The win keeps us in 6th place in the table before our trip to Washington on the 19th.

Team 4-4-2: Mordey; Middleton, Miller (C),Sakellerapolous, Hall; Mason, Charmey, Burns, Sayer (Hoggins 58 min); Robertson (Holland 75 min), Campbell (Fox 73 min).

Subs Not Used: Martin, Kerridge.

Goals: Middleton 26, Campbell 69, Burns 86.

Attendance: 82

Simon Lansley