There were only a few hardened fans, mainly from the Stan Army, at a wet and dark Hall Lane where lodgers Durham hosted the Stan. There were 2 changes from last Saturday’s home win with Holland replacing the suspended Burns and Kerridge replacing Sayer. Both players ended up having great games and being crucial to the result.

After this week’s departure of Wayne Gredziak as Durham manager, Chair and ex-Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard was in the dug-out and in charge on a temporary basis.

The first effort came for the Stan in 8 minutes when Robertson hit into the side netting. The Stan were ahead 2 minutes later when Regan sent the ball to Charmey who passed to Kerridge and he sent an unstoppable shot past Wilson in the home goal.

In 16 minutes there was a good joined up attack by the Stan with Wilson eventually catching the ball. Durham had their first shot in 22 minutes which Regan parried before the rebound shot went over. 2 minutes later, after a Stan attack, Durham attacked again although it had mainly been Stan possession since the goal but with Durham defending well.

In 26 minutes, Regan saved and Fulcher was soon unfortunate to be booked for a tackle on half way. In 33 minutes, the Stan attacked and a free kick was then cleared for a corner. They attacked again but good Durham defending slowed things down before Robertson blasted the ball at Wilson.

The Stan kept the attacks going but the last touch was letting them down. In 43 minutes, Holland forced a great save by Wilson when he blasted the ball from outside the box. Durham countered but the Stan defence dealt with it well. Durham then had a free kick into the Stan box which was headed clear twice just before the half time whistle went with The Stan deseverdly leading 1-0.

The Stan started the 2^nd half on the attack, but Durham then had 2 efforts with the 2^nd going high over the bar. Kerridge blasted a shot wide in 50 minutes followed by Robertson making a great run down the wing and forcing a corner. Durham then had a long range effort which went high and over. The Stan were good at passing but were still failing to get the ball in the net again although this changed in 54 minutes when Sakellaropoulas sent a great long ball to Hall on the wing who crossed the ball into the box for Holland to head into the net.

There was more Stan pressure now although a rare Durham attack was blocked in 58 minutes. In 66 minutes, sub Fox broke free but saw his cross blocked. Holland soon after ran down the wing but was also blocked and Campbell was then also eventually blocked. The Stan kept attacking although Regan had to clear twice in 70 minutes and 2 minutes later he caught a deflected shot. Charmey then saw his free kick go through a crowded box but it went just wide. Although not called into action much, the Stan defence were looking confident.

In 75 minutes sub Hoggins ran in on Wilson but he managed to clear. It was then almost immediately 3-0 when Fox ran down the middle past two defenders and passed to the advancing Kerridge on the left who blasted the ball into the net for 3-0.

The Stan were looking comfortable now but the defence worked well when they had to and made 2 blocks and 2 clearances. The last saw the Stan counter but Kerridge shot well over and missed out on his hat trick. He attacked again in 86 minutes but was blocked then Fox shot well over.

In 87 minutes, Hoggins won the ball and passed to Kerridge who ran down the left and passed to Fox in the box who was brought down as he dinked the ball over the keeper for 4-0. A minute later and Hoggins was blocked in the box but passed out to Holland who blasted the ball into the net for 5-0.

A minute to go and Durham shot over before Kerridge put Hall through and he advanced into the box and passed to Fox who shot wide as the game ended. It was a solid team performance and meant it was 13 wins in 15 games with only one defeat. The strength of the squad is shown in that all 5 goals were scored by players who have not been regular starters recently. The players now have a well-earned rest as the next match is at home against Willington but not until a week on Saturday.

Team: Regan; Middleton; Hall; Miller (C); Sakellaropoulas; Fulcher (Y); Holland; Charmey (Imray 80) Campbell (Hoggins 74); Robertson (Fox 65); Kerridge.

Subs not used: Bennett; Cooper.

Goals: Kerridge 10,75, Holland 54,88, Fox 87.

Yellow Card: Fulcher.

Attendance: 52

Kevin Mochrie