21st Allstars 2 Stockton Town U16's 5
30/03/2008
Goal Scorers Nathan Clarke x 2, Grant Lake x 2, Hal White
Man Of The Match Nathan Clarke
Written By Wayne Dennis
Stockton went into the game with a smaller squad than normal due to injury and illness.
They started badly when they conceded within the first minute. The Allstars broke through the middle and after a great block by Joe Andrew in the Stockton goal, the ball broke to the feet of the Allstars forward who scored from twelve yards.
Stockton were quick to respond. A long clearance from Joe Andrew found Nathan Clarke breaking down the right. He cut back inside and found Grant Lake inside the box. He cleverly turned his defender and curled a left foot shot into the far corner.
The game was end to end for a while but Stockton were starting to win the midfield battle and after Tom Portas won the ball, some quick passing released him. He found Grant Lake inside the box and after his first effort was saved by the Allstars Keeper, he followed up to score from close range.
Stockton were now doing all the pressing and it wasn’t long before a clever through ball found Nathan Clarke in on the keeper and he finished by lobbing the ball into an empty net.
Stockton made a number of changes at half time, with Joe Andrew the goalkeeper from the first half taking over at right back.
Stockton increased their lead at the start of the second half when a Ross Langridge through ball put Nathan Clarke away and he struck a great left foot shot into the far corner.
Allstars struck back almost immediately through a hotly disputed goal. After some scrappy play in the midfield area, the ball broke to an Allstars forward who went on to lob the goalkeeper. Despite strong protests from the Stockton defenders, the goal was given.
Allstars sensed a way back into the game and with a strong wind at their backs, they forced Stockton back with Shane Wright in the Stockton goal having to collect the ball bravely on a number of occasions.
However Stockton quickly regained control through Tom Portas and Joe Hinchley in the midfield and Tom Portas it was who sent Hal White away down the left. He cut inside on to his right foot and lobbed the keeper to make it 5-2 to Stockton.
There were a number of notable performances from the Stockton team, notably Ross Langridge, Reece Connelly and Tom Portas.
Special mention also goes to James Casey who played out of position and did very well and Joe Andrew who I’m sure enjoyed his game at right back.
The Man of the Match award was between Grant Lake and Nathan Clarke, with Nathan just shading it.