Date: Saturday 18th January 2025, 13:30
MOM: O'Connor
Goals: Pennington, Heayns x2,
YNE North East Men's Division 2
After a six-week break since their last outing against Marton Furness, Stokesley Men’s 2s returned to action with a convincing 3-0 victory over Stockton 3s. The win showcased a solid defensive effort, sharp attacking play, and moments of individual brilliance, giving Stokesley plenty to build on as they aim to climb the league table.
The first half started with a mix of rustiness from some players and midseason sharpness from others. Early on, Craig Baptist made a driving run through the middle, slipping the ball to captain Heayns in a dangerous position, but Heayns couldn’t convert from close range. Moments later, the roles were reversed as Heayns cut in from the wing and delivered a flicked pass to Baptist, who narrowly missed the target.
The reintroduced four-man defensive formation proved a masterstroke for Stokesley. The backline of Armitstead, Patel, Coates, and the returning Enderwick provided a solid foundation, ensuring Stockton had few chances to threaten. Even with the introduction of substitute Dan Walker, the defence remained resolute, keeping the Stockton attack at bay.
Patel was outstanding in midfield, breaking up Stockton’s play and initiating counterattacks with precision. However, it was Man of the Match O’Connor who caused Stockton the most trouble. His pinpoint aerials in the early stages repeatedly caught the Stockton defence off guard, providing several opportunities that a sharper Heayns might have converted.
Ten minutes before the break, Stokesley’s persistence paid off. A well-worked move involving O’Connor and Middlemiss found Pennington in space. Showing great composure, Pennington lifted the ball high into the Stockton net to open the scoring.
Stokesley nearly doubled their lead before half-time when Baptist turned sharply and sent a shot towards the bottom corner, only for an unlucky deflection off Hawkins to deny him. Despite the missed opportunity, Stokesley went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.
The half-time team talk focused on maintaining intensity and improving composure in front of goal. The message was clearly received as Stokesley started the second half strongly. A flowing move through the midfield, involving multiple players, saw Harry Bell pick up the ball on the right. Bell drove into the D with purpose and found Heayns near the back post. The captain cleverly cut back inside and buried the ball into the centre of the goal, doubling Stokesley’s lead.
With Stockton now chasing the game, Stokesley took full advantage of the space left in midfield and on the flanks. Another rapid attack down the left, orchestrated by the ever-dominant Baptist, found Heayns at the top of the circle. The captain unleashed a powerful shot that rifled into the back of the net, sealing the victory with his second goal of the match.
While the attacking display grabbed headlines, Stokesley’s defensive effort was equally impressive. The backline, bolstered by the experience of Armitstead, Coates, and Enderwick, along with the energy of Walker and Patel, ensured Stockton rarely threatened. Keeper Matt Hibbert had a relatively quiet game, thanks to the defensive unit’s organisation and discipline.
Final ThoughtsThis was an excellent start to the second half of the season for Stokesley, especially against a Stockton side they had struggled against last season. The team’s work rate, defensive solidity, and ability to convert key opportunities set the tone for what could be a strong run of form. If they can maintain this momentum, Stokesley have every chance of climbing the table in the coming weeks.
Final Score: Stockton 3s 0 - 3 Stokesley 2s
Next game: Thirsk M1 - Home (Saturday 25th JAnuary 2025, 10:15 push back)
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