On a blustery day, the Stan hosted the team immediately above them in the league in 4^th place. There were 2 changes from the last match 2 weeks ago at Durham with Cooper replacing Fulcher and Sayer replacing Kerridge. The Stan support included members of the Stan Army Oldham branch.

The Stan had the 1^st attack in 3 minutes which was ruled offside. They then attacked again twice with the 2^nd one involving Robertson trying a fierce shot which was only stopped by a great save from the visiting keeper Hannant and the ball then hit off the far post but Campbell’s rebound shot was stopped by Hannant again for a corner. The Stan had most of the ball for the 1^st 20 minutes. A Stan free kick was easily cleared in 8 minutes and 3 minutes later ball from a Stan corner was headed clear twice. Willington then had a free kick on half way but it went out for a bye kick. Another ball from a Stan corner was headed clear in 15 minutes.

Willington didn’t have their 1^st proper shot on goal until 18 minutes which Regan easily caught. 4 minutes later and they shot over from distance. After a relatively quiet spell Campbell, in 27 minutes, broke into the Willington box and shot just wide under pressure. Willington were getting back into the game but with few goal threats though although Miller headed clear in 33 minutes followed by Regan coming out and making a great save.

In 36 minutes the Stan had a corner which was missed by everyone before Holland shot over. The Stan had to make 3 clearances in 39 minutes followed by Regan making a save. In 43 minutes Robertson passed to Campbell in the centre but he was blocked and the half ended with a Robertson cross going high and wide.

The 2^nd half started with a Stan attack although Willington countered but Regan came out and chested the ball clear. Willington started the half more positively and had most of the ball for the 1^st 10 minutes but without really threatening.

In 56 minutes, Cooper passed to Holland who ran down the wing and crossed into the box. The ball went across the empty goal and Robertson slid in at the far post but just missed the ball. 2 minutes later and Hall headed just over. Soon after a Willington counter saw one of their players dribble into the box, keeping the defence off, but his shot went just over.

In 60 minutes, Campbell’s header hit the bar. The Stan kept attacking and in 63 minutes a ball from a Stan corner was headed clear. In 66 minutes, Charmey countered and advanced from the half way line into the box but he shot straight at the keeper. The Stan countered again and Hannant just got to a back pass before Campbell did. Charmey sent a free kick over the bar and in 73 minutes a shot from Campbell saw Hannant just get down for it. 2 minutes later and a Willington attack was only cleared at the 4^th attempt.

In 78 minutes, a good ball from a Stan corner was headed clear and soon after sub Fox shot just wide. Another sub, Hoggins, was then blocked as he ran in on the keeper. After a period of Stan attacking, Regan had to save in 82 minutes. The Stan then had a joined up attack with Charmey’s over-head kick blocked. Willington then countered but were off-side.

The last minutes mainly involved Stan attacks including one in 89 minutes which saw Fox shoot just wide. A Holland cross come chip landed on the top of the net and the match ended in 92 minutes with the Stan shooting wide. A draw seemed a fair result although Willington had far fewer efforts on goal than the Stan who have now lost only once in their last 16 matches. The Stan are quickly back in action again on Tuesday as they travel to Chester Moor in the league cup.

Team: Regan; Middleton; Hall; Miller (C); Sakellaropoulas; Cooper; Holland; Charmey; Campbell (Hoggins 76); Robertson (Fox 60); Sayer (Davison 83).

Subs not used: Bennett; Kerridge.

Attendance 160.

Kevin Mochrie