There were 5 changes from Saturday’s win including Brook in goals, a return of veteran and captain fantastic Joe Wear and a debut from the bench for Oliver Martin signed from West Allotment. Fox and Bennett were unavailable as they were playing for the Carlisle youth team. A small crowd were helped to see the match by the full moon on a pitch that was described by 1 fan as resembling a bedspread or duvet cover being thrown on a bed.

The match started relatively slowly although with the Stan appearing more in control with Burns shooting (3 minutes) and Robertson heading (15 minutes) just past the post.

In 18 minutes, a Ryton attack was blocked. In 23 minutes, a Stan free kick was headed just over. 2 minutes later and the Stan countered through Kerridge then Ryton also countered with Brook eventually saving. Middleton then sent a looping header over the bar and soon after Brook had to catch at the other end.

The Stan were slightly edging it and shot over and in 30 minutes Kerridge shot wide. A minute later and they were 1-0 up. Kerridge crossed to the advancing Campbell who headed into the net giving the keeper no chance. He didn’t know his own strength as the restart was delayed as his header had put a hole in the net.

Soon after Burns advanced down the middle and crossed to Kerridge whose powerful shot went wide. There was more pressure from the Stan in 37 minutes resulting in a corner which saw the ball bounce through the crowded box but slightly too fast to be stopped. Ryton had what was now a rare attack but it was blocked. Sayer then chipped to Robertson who was blocked by the advancing keeper. The home keeper caught again before the advancing Robertson was again blocked at the last minute by a defender and a ball from a corner was blocked by a defender.

The Stan did increase their lead in 44 minutes when a free kick from the bye line half way in Ryton’s half was taken by Kerridge who surprised everyone by sending it straight into the net. It was all Stan now with Robertson again putting the keeper under pressure as the half time whistle was blown.

The 2^nd half started with the Stan attacking and keeping Ryton under pressure although it was quieter than the end of the 1^st half. In 55 minutes, a defender hand balled during a Robertson attack but nothing was given. A minute later and a Ryton free kick into the box was cleared and then Brook had to catch. Both teams were trying to attack and Ryton had a good effort from a corner in 61 minutes that was headed clear and the rebound was caught easily by Brook.

In 64 minutes, fresh legs were introduced on the wing when Holland replaced Burns. The Stan kept the pressure on and in 66 minutes a fantastic cross by Holland across the goal from the right was headed towards goal by Kerridge and headed into the net by Campbell at the right hand post. This was his 6^th goal in his 1^st4 games for the Stan.

The Stan blocked a Ryton attack but in 70 minutes it was 3-0 when Holland advanced down the right and crossed to Martin who, with his 2^nd touch since coming on for his debut, from 20 yards out confidently blasted the ball into the net. This immediately led to a tweet from Geordie japesters Ant and Dec (not Ant and Dekka) as 1 of them is related to Oliver.

A Middleton free kick was cleared for a corner. In 74 minutes Hoggins had a shot blocked before a minute later, against the run of play, Ryton pulled a goal back. Ryton had got a corner and it was initially blocked before Dunn shot into the net.

A joined-up Stan attack then saw Holland shoot just wide of the post. Holland was creating most of the Stan’s chances as they looked to score more. In 80 minutes, Martin had a shot blocked. A minute later, from a corner it was 5-1 when Middleton headed into the net from behind a line of defenders who were between him and the goal. It was still mainly Stan as Campbell and Martin had chances. The match ended as Hoggins only had the keeper to beat but under pressure shot wide.

It was good to finally beat one of the club’s bogey teams and it was now 4 wins in a row. For the anoraks, this was the 6^th season that the Stan had played in the cup since returning to the Northern League but their 1^st win and 1^st match against division 2 opposition. An away trip to division 1 Ashington now awaits in the 2^nd round.

Stan Team: Brook; Middleton; Sayer; Wear (C); Hall; Fulcher; Burns (Holland 63); Imray; Robertson (Hoggins 68); Campbell; Kerridge (Oliver 65).

Sub Unused: Nakhli.

Goals: Campbell 31,66, Kerridge 44, Martin 70, Middleton 81.

Attendance: 65 (approx.)

Kevin Mochrie