The Stan headed to the hills with confidence although a relatively poor performance, which couldn’t just be blamed on altitude sickness, and again leaving it late to get in gear led to their bubble being burst. There were 2 changes with Miller and Fulcher replacing Burns and Mason. The Stan Army left behind warm Newcastle for sunny but bitterly cold Tow Law. Apart from warm clothing they also needed ear plugs as, due to the poor performance by the officials and especially the referee, both benches were more blustery than the weather.

The home side started with 2 attacks. The 1st 5 minutes was dominated by them although there was good defending by the Stan. In 8 minutes on his return debut, Lewis Teasdale had a good shot which saw Regan make a great save in front of him to stop his effort. In 9 minutes, the Stan had their 1st proper attack which ended with Imray shooting wide. In 11 minutes Tow Law had a shot blocked then Kerridge, who had a good afternoon, sent a ball into the box that was missed by both Charmey and Campbell.

In 15 minutes Tow Law got a free kick for nothing which Teasdale sent just over the bar. 3 minutes later and the Stan had an attack cleared before Campbell sliced an effort. Kerridge then sent a free kick just wide before another Stan attack was blocked. Regan caught after 24 minutes but then the Stan wasted a counter attack by hoofing the ball up the pitch which unfortunately was a regular sight during the match. Both teams were trying to attack but without worrying the 2 keepers.

In 33 minutes, a great ball from Kerridge to Charmey saw him pass to the advancing Fulcher who shot wide. The home side then shot just wide. The Stan were wasting chances and not holding onto the ball. In 38 minutes a Tow Law attack was blocked and a few minutes later a home player broke free and hit the post when he only had Regan to beat. In 42 minutes a Tow Law free kick from 40 yards went just over when it looked in and they came close again a minute before half time.

Tow Law started the 2nd half looking dangerous and in 47 minutes Dale Milburn, who looked dangerous all match, supplied Teasdale who broke free and shot past Regan. In 50 minutes Kerridge sent a great ball to Sayer, who was also having a good match, but his effort was too high. The ball came back in but Kerridge was blocked in the box. Campbell then made a break but under pressure from 2 defenders shot just over. It was all mainly Stan now but the management team decided to move to introduce 2 extra forwards and replace Sayer and Holland.

The home keeper had to catch in 61 minutes and a minute later sub Hoggins shot wide. In 69minutes a good move by Campbell saw him pass to Charmey who sliced his shot. In 73 minutes, a Kerridge free kick went over the wall and hit the post. The Stan were having the majority of the 2nd half play but with no end result on the bumpy pitch. Tow headed wide before Miller sent a high ball over the bar in 84 minutes. 4 minutes later and Campbell shot over.

The Stan kept attacking but the home side kept successfully blocking including on the line from a corner in the 90th minute. Anderson was then shoved in the box but nothing was given and the match ended with the home side making a clearance and then blocking a good shot by Mason. Wasted opportunities saw the Stan grasp defeat from the jaws of victory although Teasdale and Milburn both had good games for the home side.

Stan Team: Regan; Middleton; Sayer (Anderson 56); Miller (C); Hall; Fulcher; Holland (Hoggins 56); Imray (Mason 74); Campbell; Charmey; Kerridge.

Subs not used: Sakellaropoulos; Davison.

Attendance 65 plus a pony.

Kevin Mochrie