Men's 1s vs Brigg 1

Mens 1st match report

The Men’s first team took the long trip down into North Lincolnshire to face league strugglers Brigg. A potential banana skin which might have derailed their current run of form.

A frantic start saw Stockton in the ascendency. Returning Sean Wilson leading the forward line while Adam Warnes and Alex Heath tested the home resolve with a series of aerial passes. In a somewhat cagey affair it took a moment of magic to break the deadlock: Max Mowbray picked up the ball on his own 23 metre line and set off like a rocket. Rounding four defenders on his way to the opposing circle and completed his 80 yard run with a neat finish. This seemed to spur the home side into life as they defied their low league position with an effective press. Equalising through a penalty stroke.

Into the second half, Stockton found their stride and began to enact their game plan. Mowbray and Wilson combined to create chances, earning a short corner which Heath converted as he so often has this season. Wilson would put himself on the scoresheet soon afterwards, a neat finish at the back post after some tireless pressure from Timmy Foley and some great possession stealing tackles from Jack Addison. Joey Roberts, ably supported by Warnes and Dan Stewart kept things tight at the back; breaking the home press.

Brigg rode their luck and managed to pull a goal back from a penalty corner after skipper James Tompkinson appeared to be the victim of a bad tackle but was somehow penalised. This injustice was the trigger for Stockton’s best passage of play. A ten minute spell which saw hardworking forward Ben Chilton bag his first league goal with a diving reverse strike, closely followed by another trademark penalty corner from Heath who found the roof of the net with his drag flick. Mowbray added his second soon afterwards with another mazy run from deep in his own half which he finished with aplomb.

Another good win and Stockton’s streak continues. Some favourable results around the Y&NE Premier League today see Stockton move up to second and within striking distance of the league leaders.