A cold, dark and windy Thursday night by the edge of the North Sea abyss was made even gloomier for the Stan as they were beaten 2-1. Although they scored in the 95th minute, it meant that they had gone over 270 minutes without scoring. There were 3 changes from Saturday with Middleton, Sayer and Charmey replacing Sakellaropoulos, Mason and the injured Bennett.

The Stan started positively and in 5 minutes Burns had a shot blocked. Both teams were trying to attack but the swirling wind didn’t help. In 10 minutes, a great ball from Holland in his own half got to the advancing Campbell but he was blocked. Easington countered but shot wide. Burns then twisted and turned into the box and shot towards the far corner of the goal. Home keeper Finch got down and put it out for a corner but the referee gave a bye kick and Holland was given a yellow for complaining. Definitely a specsavers moment.

The Stan then had 2 corners with Middleton heading wide from the 2nd. In 18 minutes Regan made a save but it had been mainly all Stan since the 10th minute until a sustained home attack after 23 minutes. In 26 minutes Charmey was brought down in the box but nothing was given and soon after Regan made a double save. In 29 minutes Finch cleared when Campbell was in on him and he blocked him again 2 minutes later.

In 33 minutes Easington blasted the ball high and wide followed by Fox in the box shooting just wide. It was end to end now with Finch slicing a clearance for a corner in 41 minutes. This was followed by 4 quieter minutes although the half ended with an Easington player in the Stan box just failing to connect with a free kick.

The Stan’s failure to convert chances came back to haunt them a minute after the restart when a Home-Jackson wind assisted effort went over Regan, who nearly got to the ball, and in off the underside of the bar. In 49 minutes, Regan sent a long ball up to Campbell but Finch just got to it 1st and soon after Sayer was blocked.

Injured Fox was replaced in 52 minutes by Anderson who a minute later had a header from a corner caught by Finch. In 58 minutes a Stan free kick resulted in Finch dropping the ball before catching it. In 60 minutes, Easington had their 1st effort since their goal which beat Regan but hit the post. Soon after Regan saved an effort from a corner then the home side blasted another out. The wind seemed to be hindering the Stan more than the home team who shot across goal in 66 minutes with Regan putting out for a corner.

The Stan were still trying and a great run and shot by Burns in 68 minutes was deflected for a corner. Regan had to parry a long shot in 69 minutes. The Stan countered but were ruled offside. Burns then made another great run but it came to nothing. In 71 minutes Easington had an attack blocked then shot wide. A minute later and they attacked again. The Stan initially claimed offside but Home-Jackson shot to the left of a crowded box and made it 2-0.

In 75 minutes a Stan effort hit the post and then the keeper and out for a corner. They had another corner 3 minutes later with sub Kerridge shooting just wide. The Stan had a period of pressure and in 84 minutes Campbell, who had been working hard all night, shot just wide. A rare home attack saw Hall defend well. In 86 minutes the injured Middleton had to be replaced. 3 minutes later and Easington had 2 attacks cleared. Kerridge then had a great run and unselfishly crossed but Finch got a hand to the ball before Campbell could get to it. The Stan attacked again but then Easington countered. In 95 minutes, the Stan got a consolation goal when a long ball from Regan bounced for Campbell who tapped it into the net.

The Stan did then seek an equaliser but time was against them. Just like Saturday, they should have had a win sown up by half time and Easington’s dodgy keeper did all he could to help them do so while the Stan midfield hindered the attempts. So with it looking more likely that 3 teams will be promoted, the Stan severely dented their chances with getting only 1 point from the last 3 games after a great run which included 5 away wins in a row.

Stan Team: Regan, Middleton (Sakellaropoulos 86), Sayer; Miller (C); Hall; Imray; Holland (Kerridge 60); Charmey; Campbell; Fox (Anderson 52); Burns.

Subs not used: Davison.

Yellow Cards: Sayer, Holland.

Attendance 101

Kevin Mochrie

Photos courtesy of Twitter user Shaun

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