Last updated 13:38, Thursday, 02 October 2008

Stocksfield 3, Percy Main 1 STOCKSFIELD threw their name into the hat for the second round draw of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup with a 3-1 victory against Percy Main.

Prior to kick-off John Wilson was forced to make two changes to his starting line-up as Dean Brown (heel) and Owen Little (hand) pulled out with niggling injuries.

Shaun Sagar replaced Little in goal and Ant Macdonald started at left-back.

Stocksfield made a flying start to the game as Macdonald won possession and Pearson’s dangerous cross was desperately headed wide by a defender with barely a minute on the clock.

From the resultant corner Vause picked out Stewart who powered his header just wide. Stocksfield kept the pressure on and were awarded a penalty in the third minute when Stewart broke free and rounded Lindsay Collinson.

The keeper sent Stewart tumbling and, although the penalty was awarded, the keeper luckily escaped without caution. Stewart sent the keeper the wrong way from the dead ball and gave Stocksfield an early lead.

The Villagers’ responded with some very direct football; lots of long balls from the boot of Collinson, Browell and Batchelor were forcing Stocksfield to defend deep and at times they caused problems.

A long throw was volleyed over by Gray, and Sagar dealt with an effort from Freathy, as Percy Main showed they weren’t going to be a push-over.

Somewhat against the run of play Stocksfield doubled their lead with a great counter attack. A deft touch from Murray fed Pearson who had made a run on the blind side of his marker. He showed good feet and composure to calmly stroke the ball past the rooted keeper for 2-0.

Percy Main again threatened Stocksfield with set pieces and throw-ins but Sagar was never really forced into a save as the Main were wasteful with the few half-chances that did fall their way.

Another fast break from Stocksfield found Murray who hooked ball forward into Stewart’s path. At full stretch Stewart poked the ball past the covering defender and stranded keeper, but it rolled just inches wide of the empty net.

Then midfield anchor Cairns Kettles managed to find some space and, in a rare venture forward, drilled an effort just wide of the top corner.

Stocksfield were also posing a threat from corners and another driven corner from Vause almost paid off when Murray’s audacious front post flick missed everyone and the ball rolled across the face of goal.

Main dominated spells of play but were hit with another sucker punch when Vause worked hard to win the ball in midfield and helped it on to Stewart.

He held the ball up patiently as Tordoff made the overlapping run and beat the keeper at the near post with everyone expecting a cross.

Stocksfield went into the break three up, but were nowhere near their best. However, their clinical finishing was the difference between the two sides.

In the second half Main pulled a goal back after 50 minutes when another set piece was defended poorly and Scott Johnson fell asleep, giving Mick Haley enough time and space to pick his spot.

Stocksfield were still looking threatening when breaking at speed and were denied a goal-scoring opportunity after a poor tackle.

Vause made a great forward run from almost inside his own half and was running on to a Murray through-ball when he was cynically, and quite deliberately, chopped down by Jason Ritchie.

The referee at first awarded an offside decision and then reversed the decision to give Stocksfield a free-kick, but in all the confusion he obviously forgot to deal with the tackle appropriately, only cautioning the player.

Last defender or not, the tackle was blatant and cynical enough to warrant a red card.

From the resultant free-kick Pearson couldn’t latch on to Murray’s ball and the chance was wasted.

Murray was then flagged offside when latching on to Vause’s pass. Tempers started to flare when the Villagers’ got upset at a few off-side decisions, but in all fairness, the referee and both linesmen were making some poor off-side calls.

Murray and Stewart squandered a couple of good chances to put the game to bed; a determined run from Tordoff almost led to another goal; and Lowdon blazed over a good chance with his first touch since being introduced as a sub.

Main threw bodies forward and had one final chance to pull a goal back, but Stocksfield survived and made safe passage into the second round.

This victory means Stocksfield have an 100 per cent record in all competitions so far this season and, despite looking a little confused and nervy at times, they will be looking forward to seeing who they play in the next round.