The final home game of the season. It was all to play for, and both teams needed these three points. It was Hebburn Town who came out victorious, rocketing us up the league!

Hebburn absolutely dominated their visitors in the first half, with two goals from Michael Turner and Leo Robinson.

In the opening 20 or so minutes of play, both sides played with trepidation. Van Zandvliet won us a free-kick in the 3rd minute, but Noble’s cross was headed away by Coulthard. Likewise, The Anchors won a free-kick in the 21st minute, but Butterworth’s shot went straight out for a goal-kick.

Gomes won a free-kick in Stockton’s half in the 25th minute. Noble crossed the ball, and it took a deflection for a corner. Noble, again, delivered the cross, and connected to Turner who headed home to put us ahead!

The lads wasted no time, and, in the 32nd minute, it was Leo Robinson who doubled our lead and Van Zandvliet got the assist. Paul Van advanced forward on to his own cross and found Robinson at the back post who tapped the ball to double our lead.

We had two more chances to double our lead against The Anchors before the half-time whistle. In the 40th minute, Purewal fed the ball out to Gomes, he put in a cross toward Robinson, but Nicholson cleared the ball by beating him to the header. Moments later, Van Zandvliet played Murray down the line, he skimmed his way past multiple Stockton defenders and put in a low cross towards the back post. Robinson couldn’t steal another goal as his shot travelled inches wide of the net.

This was not a game of two halves, as Hebburn continued to dominate play with their countless chances and brilliant defence.

There was a chance for Stockton to pull a goal back in the 71st minute, but a ball by Scott fell inches wide of the goal.

The only change for The Hornets seen Harry Richardson replace Leo Robinson.

The Anchor’s tried their luck again in the 85th minute, but Cameron managed to get down low in time to keep a shot out from our visitors.

The Hornets managed to hold on for another 10 minutes, and we gained three points. This was our first victory at home since New Year’s Day. We look forward to travelling to the Mill Street Playing Field to face Basford United for our final game of the season.

Att: 844
MOTM: Michael Turner

Lineup-
Home Starting XI-
1. Daniel Cameron, 2. Paul Van Zandvliet, 3. Michael Turner, 4. Leo Robinson, 5. Jack Donaghy, 6. Matthew Elsdon, 7. Liam Noble, 8. Robbie Spence, 9. Amar Purewal (C), 10. Liam Murray, 11. Joao Pedro Gomes Carrington.
Subs-
12. Harry Richardson, 13. Callum Dobson, 14. Daniel Moore, 15. Aidan Heywood

Away Starting XI-
1. Nathan Harker, 2. Joshua Baggs, 3. Owen Gallacher, 4. Lewis King, 5. Adam Nicholson (C) 6. Tom Coulthard, 7. Kevin Hayes, 8. Cameron Painter, 9. Joshua Scott, 10. Glen Butterworth, 11. Fenton John.
Subs-
12. Michael Sweet, 14. Stephen Thompson, 15. Arjun Purewal, 16. Jack Spears, 17. Lewis Leech.