This was a classic cup match which will be remembered down the coming years by both Stan fans and neutrals and one that the washed out Seasiders will want to forget. The Stan made 3 changes from the Redcar match 11 days ago including a debut for Alex Sakellaropoulis, the latest signing from Carlisle United’s youth academy and first starts for Jack Cooper and Oliver Martin. The Seasiders were without top scorer Jack Foalle who has signed for Morpeth.

The match kicked off in front of Grounsell Park’s biggest crowd of the season (274) with both teams up for it. After 2 minutes, Sakellaropoulis got his 1st piece of action when he had to head clear. Soon after Regan did a wind assisted long kick out which Bannon in the Bay goal just got to before Robertson. There was then a great attack by Bay but their advancing player slid just past the Stan post before he could connect with the ball. It was an exciting start and Regan had to clear after 5 minutes.

The Stan then had 2 attacks with the 2nd in 9 minutes seeing Burns run through the defence and shoot just wide. A minute later and it was almost de ja vu when Robertson crossed to Burns in a similar position who again shot just wide when it looked like he would score. Cooper was then sliced in the centre circle but there was no booking. This was a common theme all night as the visitors made a series of late and cynical tackles and nudges. In 11 minutes a Stan attack was cleared and then so was a Bay counter attack.

It was end to end now as both teams tried to score. Robertson was brought down but no foul was given. In 20 minutes Burns crossed to Cooper who headed across goal and just wide when again it looked like the ball would go in. Burns then ran down the wing, past a defender, and crossed into the box where Campbell was blocked then Cooper shot wide. The Stan could have been 4-0 up by now and it was now the visitor’s turn to put pressure on, in 25 minutes, with their first effort headed clear. The ball came back in and Ramsey turned and sent a good effort into the net against the run of play for 0-1.

Campbell was soon back in the Bay box but was disposed just before Sakellaropoulis was sliced and the resulting free kick was caught by Bannon. In 33 minutes, Campbell passed to Burns who was tripped in the box. Campbell calmly sent the keeper the wrong way and it was 1-1. In 43 minutes Whitley had a shot from distance which saw a great save by Regan. He then had to punch away a header. The Stan had a couple of attacks but the half finished 1-1 when really the Stan should have been out of sight.

The Bay started the 2nd half stronger and Martin had to head clear in 47 minutes from a corner. The ball came back in but a bay forward missed it in front of goal. The Stan countered through a great run by Martin. Regan then had to save at the other end and a ball from a bay corner was headed clear before Regan got down to catch.

In 51 minutes the Stan countered again and Regan sent the ball to the advancing Robertson whose shot came off the post for Campbell to tap in for his 10th goal in his 1st 8 games. In 53 minutes, Regan had to punch clear before the Stan countered. They attacked again and Cooper’s shot was caught. In 56 minutes, Fulcher won the ball and sent a great pass to Robertson on the left whose shot beat the keeper but came off the post for Burns to tap in from inches out. His celebrity mum will be proud. There was another cynical bay foul with the offending player also losing it in front of the home dug out.

In 62 minutes, the Stan defence failed to stop an advancing bay player who crossed to Ramsey in the box who made it 3-2. In 63 minutes the bay had the Stan under pressure again but a ball across goal was missed by everyone. Burns then crossed to Campbell at the other end but he headed against the post. The ball came back in and was cleared off the line.

In 71st minute Bay’s 14 rounded the Stan defence but shot over. A Stan corner was then headed just over by Miller. In 73 minutes, a long cross by Fulcher to Robertson led to his effort from distance going in at the far post, easily beating Bannon for 4-2. He deserved a goal.

Burns made a great run and after initially being blocked shot wide. In 78 minutes a ball from a bay corner was headed down and cleared off then line then Regan caught. In 80 minutes Bay attacked again and Brannen went through the whole defence and shot past Regan to create a tense last 10 minutes as the fisher folk hoped for extra time. Miller then had to clear and in 83 minutes a scramble on the Stan goal-line ended with Regan blocking a Brannen effort off the bar then catching the rebound while on the ground to the relief of the Stan Army. 2 minutes later, Burns attacked and crossed to sub Kerridge who blasted over when it looked easier to score.

In 87 minutes a Stan free kick into a packed bay box saw a low header by Hoggins go into the net. As the Stan players celebrated Whitleys Keeper did a sprint to the referee, who had given the goal, and after consulting with the linesman the goal was chalked off for handball. A minute to go and Bay attacked down the right and a great cross to the advancing Salmon saw him blast wide to the relief of the Stan Army who were leaping instead of him. During 4 minutes of injury time the Stan tried to hold on to the ball although Fulcher did have to clear a Bay attack and Campbell and Burns had late efforts.

The whole team deserve top marks and held their nerve and kept their heads high. Apologies for not mentioning everyone individually but special mention has to be made to Robertson and Cooper who never stopped, goal machine Campbell. Fulcher who commanded the middle of the park and spiderman Regan in goals.

The Stan have now won 8 competitive matches in a row (Connor Campbell’s whole Stan career) and are playing like a joined up team who are both enjoying themselves and are going places. Hopefully in terms of the Senior Cup it will be the final at St James’ Park although first up is Morpeth Town in the quarter-finals at home on 23rd January.

Whitley Bays match report can be read here.

Team: Regan; Martin; Sakellaropouls; Bennett; Miller; Imray; Cooper (Kerridge 65); Fulcher; Campbell (Y); Robertson (Hoggins 77); Burns.

Subs not used: Holland; Fox.

Goals: Campbell 33(pen), 51, Burns 56, Robertson 73.

Yellow Cards: Campbell.

Attendance: 274

Kevin Mochrie