Men's 1s vs Durham City 1

Durham City M1: 0

Stockton M1: 3

A reinvigorated Stockton side travelled the short distance to local rivals Durham City and came away with three points and their best performance of the season so far.

Stockton came out of the blocks at lightening speed and spent much of the first exchanges camped deep in Durham territory. Billy Merifield, who seems to be making a habit of scoring great goals, was on the scoresheet again. His mazy run and deft finish saw Stockton take the lead after six minutes.

Stockton continued to apply the pressure. Having played in preseason and in the County Cup, the two sides know each other well, but this was a new-look Stockton who Durham had no answer for. Chances came and went for Ed Beak and Timmy Foley before the visitors earned a penalty corner. Alex Heath was back to his best, rattling his drag flick high into the top corner past the diving home keeper who was well beaten.

Soon afterwards the move of the match saw a towering aerial from returning centre back Adam Warnes plucked out of the air by Merifeld - he played in Will Ferguson who rounded the beleaguered Durham net-man, leaving him stranded as Ferguson finished neatly to take Stockton into a 3-0 half time lead.

A quieter second half saw Stockton manage the game with professionalism and grit. Patrick Atkinson a particular stand-out in defensive midfield; one of a number of top level performances across the squad. Stockton limited Durham to only the slightest chances. Joe Roberts and Jack Addison snuffed out breakaways with timely interceptions leaving the Stockton keeper Adam Turner all but untroubled in the second half.

Stockton ran out convincing winners and climbed to third in the premier league.

Man of the Match: Patrick Atkinson sponsored by Atkinson-Build