What an advert for the FA Cup and for non-league football this replay turned out to be even though at 3-1 to Seaham it looked like it would turn into a damp squid especially as much of the match was played in torrential rain. There was one change from the 1^st match with Deagle replacing goal scorer Jones who was working.

The Stan started on the attack but the visitors had the 1^st shot of the game in 3 minutes when Regan made a catch. After 6 minutes Regan caught again from a counter attack before the Stan also countered with Seaham’s keeper Hunter accidently putting the ball out for a corner. Another corner followed and it was mainly pressure from the Stan now with Hunter catching in 8 minutes. 2 minutes later Regan caught the ball from a 2^nd Seaham attack and soon after he had to make a good save.

Seaham attacked again in the 11^th minute and this time they were 1-0 up when Hethrington beat the defence and shot past Regan. In 14 minutes, the Stan got a corner from which Bailey’s shot was blocked for another which saw Parker’s shot blocked. As the monsoon began, there was a period of Stan pressure and Hunter had to catch a Bailey header from a free kick. In 20 minutes, a wind assisted kick by Regan saw Robertson run in on Hunter who had to put the ball over his own bar. Robertson then made another solo run into the box and again 2 minutes later with the 2^nd resulting in a corner which saw Kerridge heading just wide.

It was all Stan until Seaham had an attack blocked in 24 minutes and had 2 more shots over the next 7 minutes. Despite the dreadful conditions, both sides were trying to attack but were also defending well and the only clear opportunity of this period came in 34 minutes when a Seaham attack saw the ball go across the box and was missed by 2 defenders but was eventually cleared. In 40 minutes, a great cross by Holland to Robertson was wrongly deemed offside. Then after Fulcher slipped, a visiting player was able to advance but his shot was deflected for a corner. The half finished with 3 shots and the Stan undeservedly being behind.

As the 2^nd half started, the rain went off for a little while and there was a Stan attack which saw a Bailey volley from 6 yards put onto the bar by Hunter who then in the following scramble sat on the ball. In 48 minutes though Seaham were 2-0 up when through a crowded box a Byrne low shot went into the net.

The Stan didn’t give up and a Seaham defender had to head clear before a Stan free kick went wide. Bailey then shot just wide before Regan had to catch. In 54 minutes, the Stan were back in the match when from a Stan corner a shot was blocked but the ball went back to Kerridge outside the box whose curling shot went past defenders and Hunter into the corner of the net.

The Stan were putting pressure on but a sucker punch came in 60 minutes when the Stan failed to clear a Seaham attack and Palmer got the ball and slotted it into the net as the defence stood still. The Stan were taking the tie seriously and immediately introduced the injured Wright although Seaham then shot over and forced a catch from Regan but followed by a Stan shot which Hunter caught. In 64 minutes, a Wright cross saw Robertson head wide. It was end to end now, with both Burns and Wright trying to get forward, and both teams forced corners but it seemed too little too late for the Stan now.

Seaham both shot and headed wide before Robertson shot wide in 75 minutes. Wright was brought down just outside the box and Robertson’s free kick was blocked followed by a Hall header being caught by Hunter. In 78 minutes, just when 1 was needed, Wright supplied a wonder goal when he ran down the left and from a tight angle and sent the ball into the far-right corner of the net.

The Stan put the pressure on while Seaham tried to time waste with a header from a Stan free kick blocked and a corner ball headed clear. In 86 minutes, Wright gets the ball and unexpectantly shot from outside the box with Hunter making a great full stretch save resulting in a corner. The Stan still pushed for an equaliser and a Robertson shot was deflected for a corner which saw Hoggins’s header blocked by Hunter and the ball going out of the box to Wright whose shot went through Hunter’s hands and into the net for 3-3 with a minute to go. Kerridge then headed just wide from a Burns cross but it was going to be extra time.

Seaham had most of the early pressure although both teams were trying to attack. Regan had to catch in 98 minutes before a Wright free kick at the other end went over. In 99 minutes, Seaham were ahead again when Regan came out to get a through ball but Gash was able to get to the ball 1^st and put it past him. Regan had to block for a corner but the 1^st period of extra time ended with pressure from both Robertson and Burns.

After the 2^nd period started, the Stan did not have to wait long for the equaliser when in 108 minutes a Sayer cross was headed into the net by the shattered Robertson. Seaham soon shot just over while a Wright long shot also went just over before he made a solo run and under pressure hit the side netting. Wright had the ball in the net in 111 minutes but a foul was given. Seaham also had the ball in the net but the header was clearly offside.

It was end to end but with 5 seconds to go, and as the Stan pressure increased, it looked like the Stan were going to have the opportunity to win the tie. As the fans waited for the final whistle, Hoggins made a last run up the left and, beating a defender, ran with the ball into the box where he was cynically bundled over. The ref to everyone’s surprise (including Hunter who told the fans behind his goal that it was a penalty) bottled it and waved play on and then soon after blew the final whistle.

The penalties were taken at the church end with the visitors going first and scoring their first 2. Wright scored but the Stan’s 2^nd taken by Kerridge’s was saved by Hunter. Seaham’s 3^rd hit the bar but Hunter was the hero again when he saved Imray’s 3^rd. Regan went the wrong way for Seaham to go 3-1 up but Hoggins then made it 3-2 with 4 penalties taken by each side. Seaham scored and won 4-2. The huge crowd of 201 certainly got their money’s worth but unfortunately it was not to be the Stan’s night and not to take away the importance of Hunter’s saves, dodgy refereeing in this case led to penalties and not a penalty.

The Wembley dream though (Vase version) starts again in 17 days.

Stan Team: Regan; Parker; Sayer; Miller; Hall; Fulcher; Holland (Wright 60 (Y)); Bailey (Hoggins 77); Robertson (Imray 108); Kerridge; Deagle (Burns 67).

Sub Unused: Wilson.

Yellow Card: Wright

Attendance: 201

Kevin Mochrie

The Northern league's Life Of Pie Blog was at the game and their great report can be read here Why We Love Football