Crook Town 2-2 Heaton Stannington

Saturday 6th April 2019

The Stan travelled to Crook Town for their last away match of the season. Despite coming back from behind twice to achieve a draw, the result ends the Stan’s chances of coming 3rd although helps in the task of attempting to secure 4th place. There were 4 changes from last Saturday’s home defeat to Thornaby. Mason replaced Charmey while Hoggins and Robinson replaced Campbell and Anderson up front. Dean Imray’s recall in place of Fulcher meant that he made his 125th start for the Stan.

The Stan got the game underway but were stunned after only 4 minutes when an unmarked Kent poked the ball past Regan to give Crook the lead. Imray had a half chance 2 minutes later but shot straight at the keeper. In 9 minutes, Hoggins sent the keeper off his line and hit a shot from 35 yards. It was a great effort but it just cleared the bar. In 13 minutes, Holland beat his man and crossed to Imray who supplied Mason but the ball drifted wide of the far post with Kerridge unable to get a touch. In 17 minutes, Sakelleraropoulos teed up Hoggins but his 10 yard shot was blocked.

The Stan had made a decent response after the early set back but were still trailing. After a quiet period, Holland and Sakelleraropoulos linked but Alex's cross drifted out at the far post in the 38th minute. Hoggins was then crowded out at the expense of a corner. The equaliser finally came in 42 minutes when Robinson flicked on a Hoggins cross and Kerridge finished at the back post. So although the Stan had been rocked by an early goal, they slowly responded and went into the interval level as a result of Kerridge forcing an equaliser after good work by Hoggins.

After a quiet restart, in 54 minutes, the Crook keeper tried his hardest to palm a cross into his own net but got away with it. Kerridge then livened up the crowd as a sniper took him out. After 56 minutes, there was a big chance for Crook at the back post but no7 hit it over the top and he was then subbed. 2 minutes later and there was another big chance for Crook but the free header went wide.

In the 60th minute, Robinson had a half chance but shot straight at the keeper. In 62 minutes, Crook retook the lead when No15 ran onto a through ball and finished past Regan. There was an immediate response by the Stan as Hoggins latched on to Robinson's flick and volleyed home for 2-2 in 63 minutes.

In 70 minutes, a great run from Hoggins saw him square to Campbell for a tap in from 6 yards out but he sliced wide. There was a better effort from Campbell 8 minutes later but it inched wide. In 82 minutes there was a yellow card for Sakelleraropoulos, with the Stan getting 3 in total, resulting in a free kick on the edge of the box for Crook which drew a good save from Regan.

The Stan had 1 late chance to win but the Crook keeper blocked a Hoggins header from close range. So the Stan ended their 18-19 league travels with a draw and await visits from Durham and Billingham Town in the final 2 home matches.

Stan Team: Regan; Sakellaropoulos; Sayer; Miller (C); Hall; Imray (Charmey 67); Holland; Mason; Hoggins; Robinson (Campbell 68); Kerridge (Anderson 79).

Subs not used: Fulcher; Burns.

Yellow Cards: Sayer, Miller, Charmey

Goals: Kerridge 42, Hoggins 63.

Attendance 118.

Kevin Mochrie