On a mirky damp afternoon, Purvis Park was actually a pleasant place to be especially if you were part of the Stan Army. The Stan had been invited for the 1^st time to participate in the 17^th annual Gary Hull Memorial Trophy which Percy Main host to remember their treasurer and committee member Gary Hull. It also represented the start of the club’s centenary celebrations.

The Stan started with a strong line up. Ex-player Jon Jon Arnie Wilson was in the crowd but the only energetic move he made was when an angry Vicar burst into Purvis Park and chased him out of the ground to move his car which was blocking the 4^th man in black from leaving the nearby vicarage. He should have stayed and watched though with the squad the Stan have for the forthcoming season they should not have to rely on miracles although there were some good crosses on show especially from Imray and Kerridge.

The Stan took the game to the hosts who were though up for it and proved good opposition given they play a league lower in the Northern Alliance Premier Division. In 4 minutes, a Stan attack went out for a corner. The ball from it was blocked and went out to Blackbourne on the edge of the box who blasted it through the crowd and into the net for 1-0.

A great run by Imray and cross to Kerridge led to Thirlaway shooting wide. The 1^st Percy shot on 8 minutes saw Brook get down to block but the player couldn’t get his rebound shot in. In 15 minutes, a Kerridge free kick was dropped by the home keeper although a Percy player then broke free but Brook got out and down to block. In 17 minutes a home free kick went round the wall and just wide. The Stan were in control although a quieter period followed until a joined up Stan attack in 32 minutes eventually led to Imray passing just outside the box to the advancing Paterson who comfortably shot home for 2-0.

Bailey then shot directly at the keeper and he then caught a Kerridge free kick followed by Percy shooting just over. A 40^th minute corner saw a curling ball from Kerridge headed off the line by the keeper. The Stan had 2 more attempts before Percy shot just wide at the other end.

The start of the 2^nd half saw Holland, Hoggins, Middleton, Charmey and Stoddart replace Bailey, Kerridge, Ray, Paterson and Sayer. The Stan nearly scored right away although Percy should have scored in 49 minutes when a player mishit the ball in front of the Stan goal. In 57 minutes Kerridge supplied Charmey who shot over but in 61 minutes the home keeper blocked a Charmey effort but Kerridge, who had come back on for Anderson, put the rebound away for 3-0.

In 66 minutes Hoggins shot just over. In 73 minutes a Stan effort was blocked on the line but a minute later a great Charmey shot made it 4-0. In 80 minutes, Sayer came back on for Thirlaway. Bailey tried a long range effort but it went just wide. The match finished with more Stan pressure and a late effort being blocked twice. So the Stan won their 1^st silverware since 2014 and have completed their 5 pre-season friendlies unbeaten. Manager Dekka Boris Thompson was delighted especially as it had also been a good week for his political twin although Dekka is still more popular in the North East than him.

The trophy and medals were presented by Gary’s parents and brother. So hopefully this cup win, and a fine cup it is, will be the 1^st of a number of trophies won by the Stan during the 2019-20 season.

Stan Team: Brook, Simpson, Sayer, Ray, Blackbourne, Imray, Thirlaway, Bailey, Patterson, Anderson, Kerridge.

Subs All Used: Middleton, Stoddart, Holland, Charmey, Hoggins.

Goals: Blackbourne 4, Paterson 32, Kerridge 61, Charmey 74.

Attendance 100

Kevin Mochrie