Stockton Sunday League 1 Tyneside Sunday League 0

Stockton Team:

Stuart Newbold (c – Rosegale N & S.A), Danny Lawson (Hardwick Social Club), Jack Moody (Norton George & Dragon), Lee Tucker (Norton George & Dragon), Danny Dawson (Rosegale N & S.A), James Ward (Sun Inn), Kallum Hannah (Hardwick Social Club), Shane Henry (Norton George & Dragon), Jamie Owens (Hardwick Social Club), Neil Brette (Penny Black), James Wilson (Hardwick Social Club). Sub: Terry Robinson (Norton George & Dragon)

Stockton entertained Tyneside at Eston in the Durham County Football Association Inter League knock out competition and came out on top 1-0 in a game that needed extra time to settle the tie. Stockton started brightly and went close on a couple of occasions through Jamie Owens who was proving to be handful to handle, one attempt was a cheeky back heel that was only narrowly wide. Stockton continued to play some good football at times and restricted the visitor’s attempts at goal. Tyneside almost took the lead just before half time when a right wing free kick saw keeper Stuart Newbold attempt to punch the ball clear but his punch was mistimed and the ball fell to a Tyneside player who hit it probably too well as his shot rattled the crossbar and was hacked away to safety.

The second half saw Tyneside come more into the game but could find no way through a resolute defence. Stockton were creating the better chances but found Ian Gray in the Tyneside goal in excellent form and the game headed into extra time.

The first period of extra time saw Owens again go close but he was eventually rewarded when a ball over the top saw him hold off a defender and as the keeper came out he coolly slipped the ball under him into the empty net for the opening goal. Tyneside pushed players forward but it was still the home side that created the better chances but did not take them.

The second period of extra time saw Tyneside look for the equaliser their best chances came from free kicks or long throw ins but created little from open play. Stockton were using the counter attack to try and put the game beyond doubt with Jamie Owens still causing problems as well as Kallum Hannah, from one break Owens outstripped the defence and crossed for Neil Brette who saw his effort blocked by the keeper. Tyneside almost snatched an equaliser at the death in a goalmouth scramble Stuart Newbold somehow managed one handed to push the ball onto the post and it was cleared up field out of harms way. Stockton held on to win what was a very good contest played in good spirit and settled by man of the match Jamie Owens. However all the Stockton players deserve a lot of credit as they all to a man contributed to this win and look forward to their next fixture away to the Consett Sunday League. Thanks also go to the management team of Michael Sowerby, Lee Tucker (who was forced into action) and ably assisted by Peter Livingstone.

Well done to all who played last night as every player deserved the credit for this hard earned win.

Ken Clark (League Secretary)