Seaham Red Star 3 - 2 Heaton Stannington

Wed 24th September 2019, Mitre Brooks Mileson League Cup Group A

The Stan travelled to a damp and wet Ferguson Motor Repair's Stadium in high spirits after an unbeaten run of four games in September which included a win in the League Cup Group A against Billingham Synthonia. The Spirits were dampened a little with the news that Jonny Ball had a bug and that Richie Hoggins, who was the match winner on Saturday, would play as an emergency goalkeeper. Seaham had lost their opening group game v North Shields 0-3 and were struggling in the league, sitting second from bottom in the table with only one win from eight games. They included former Stan defender Alex Sakellerapolous in the team while veteran striker Micky Chilton took his place on the bench.

With the rain relenting to a mild drizzle the Stan kicked off and had the first chance of the game on 4 minutes but Bailey's left footed effort was deflected for a corner which was cleared. Wilson then shot wide for Seaham before Kerridge flashed a ball across the face of goal.

Hoggins was called into action in the 21st minute with a decent save from Wilson at his near post at the expense of a corner and when the corner was partially cleared he excelled himself with a brilliant diving save to touch a 25 yarder onto the bar. His good work was undone two minutes late when slack marking allowed Myers a free header to open the scoring.

The hosts were on top now and and a cross was scrambled away from inside the 6 yard box before Hoggins again excelled tipping an overhead kick from Dart over the top. Dart wasn't to be denied however and a cross to the back post found him all alone to volley past Hoggins to double Seaham's lead on 34 minutes.

The Stan were still passing it about and were unlucky when Kerridge went outside the fullback and crashed a shot against the far post but on the stroke of half time they were rewarded when Wright was tripped in the box and Charmey sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to reduce the arrears.

HT Seaham 2 - 1 Stan

The Stan were straight on the attack and Bailey should have done better from a corner than glance a shot wide of the far post, he came even closer on 55 minutes when he steered Kerridge's free kick wide of Stevens but against the far post. Gillesphey was shown a yellow card on the hour for a foul on Charmey and from the resultant free kick Wright had a cross hacked clear at the near post. With it looking like an equaliser was in the offing the Stan shot themselves in the foot when a poor defensive header was punished and Coulson lifted a finish over Hoggins to restore the two goal advantage in the 63rd minute.

Three minutes later Gillesphey gave the Stan hope after another crude foul and the hosts were reduced to 10 men, but Hoggins was then called into action again to keep the Stan in it. Charmey then found Kerridge with a great ball into the box but his header was deflected for a corner, which Bailey met unmarked but headed wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

The Stan contiued to press with Paterson becoming more of a threat and unbelievably they hit the post for a third time when a great strike by Charmey flashed past Stevens but thumped his righthand upright before he could move. It was Charmey again from a similar position as we entered stoppage time and Stevens did well to get a strong hand on it despite the movement of the ball sending him the wrong way. The Stan continued until the death and after Stoddart won the ball back Wright lobbed Stevens from inside the box to give the Stan a glimmer of hope on 93 minutes but that was to be the last meaningful action.

Full Time: Seaham 3 - 2 Stan

A battling performance from the Stan who created enough chances to get something out of the game, Hoggins set the tone with an accomplished performance in goal which included one outstanding save and they were cruelly denied three times by the post. Ultimately they were done by poor marking in the box and a poor defensive header which gifted Seaham the three goals. The result obviously makes it tougher to qualify from the group but with games against Newcastle Uni and North Shields to come it is all to play for.

Before then though we return to league duty at Willington on Saturday looking to extend out unbeaten league run to four games.

Team (4-5-1): Hoggins; Simpson, Stoddart, Blackbourne, Hall; Charmey (C), Kerridge, Mason Bailey, Paterson; Wright .

Subs Not Used: Ray, Sayer, Deagle.

Goals: Charmey (Pen 45 +3), Wright (90 +3)

Att: 80

Simon Lansley