After five weeks of league inactivity the Stan travelled to Chester Moor looking for 3 vital points, during the Stan's enforced lay off they had fallen from 4th to 8th in the table as Crook, Carlisle, Easington and Billingham Synthonia had all played and won matches whilst we had been idle.

The last league game had been a fantastic win at (then) leaders Redcar Athletic and Decka kept faith with 9 of that side, the changes were new signings Josh Wilson (who appeared in the cup defeat v Ryton) replacing the injured Charmey and a debut for Australian Forward Brad Fiedler in place of the absent Kerridge.

Chester Le Street who started the game one place below the Stan named a youthful looking line up that had beaten Birtley in midweek.

The Stan were kicking uphill in the first half into a strong breeze but were quickly on the front foot and Feidler met a great cross from Sayer at the back post but shot high and wide.

Chester responded with three corners but Ball was untroubled by any of them and Sayer broke away from the last of them but shot over the top. Wade had a shot for the hosts on 12 minutes which Ball saved at the second attempt before Paterson skinned Walker who brought him down. Fiedler had a great chance to open the scoring on 19 minutes after more good work by Sayer but he managed to hit the keepers legs from close range with the goal gaping. The Stan continue to press and Wilson flashed a near post header wide before the impressive Sayer drew a good save from Coombes at his near post.

With the half winding down Simpson needlessly fouled Nathan Wade to give Chester a penalty but Ball made a fine diving save to his left to block Walker's spot kick and ensure that the Stan went in level at the break.

HT Chester 0 - 0 Stan

With the wind at their backs the Stan were straight on the attack at the restart and they were rewarded with an early goal as Wilson linked with Bailey who beat Coombes at his near post with a fine 20 yard strike. They kept up the pressure and Fiedler met a free kick at the far post but his finish was too high before Paterson flashed a shot just wide of the post. The second goal wasn't long in coming however, and when it arrived on 58 minutes it was an absolute beauty from Danny Sayer who swivelled on the edge of the area and curled a finish into the top left hand corner after a Paterson free kick had been cleared.

The onslaught continued and there was a deserved debut goal for Brad Fiedler two minutes later when he was unmarked to sidefoot home from close range after another Paterson free kick.

The wind was taken out of the Stan's sails somewhat as Ball had to be replaced by Regan with a dislocated finger but it made no differnce to Fiedler who received the ball in the box and beat two men before shooting into the far corner for his second and the Stan's fourth goal on 68 minutes.

Imray replaced Wilson on 76 minutes and Morgan Paterson replaced his elder brother Regan a minute later as the Stan kept their shape and possesion.

Young Morgan rattled the bar with a crashing free kick and, after Mason had a shot saved, he then had a close range header saved by the overworked Coombes. It was Paterson again with the last chance on 92 minutes but he couldn't bundle the ball home from close range, infact he managed to collide with the post and not the ball but after treatment the post was able to continue!

FT Chester 0 - 4 Stan

Four goals in a blistering 21 minutes at the start of the second half had blown Chester away after they had missed the penalty on the stroke of half time which might have changed the course of the game. The Stan had looked lively throughout with new boy Fiedler leading the line well in the absence of Wright whilst the back four were never troubled by a weak Chester attack.

There are tougher games ahead, Crook and Easington are both on good runs and above us in the table, but the Stan will go into them full of confidence after this result.

Hopefully the good weather lasts and we are able to get our run of 3 home games played before Christmas and we'll take a good look at the league table then.

Team (4-5-1): Ball (Regan 65 min); Simpson, Stoddart Hall, Ray; Paterson (R) (Paterson (M) 77 min), Mason , Bailey (C), Wilson (Imray 76 min), Sayer; Fiedler

Subs: (Not Used): Middleton.

Goals: Bailey (47 Min), Sayer (58 Min) Fiedler 2 (60 min, 68 min)

Att: 88

Simon Lansley