Hartlepool St Francis 3 Stockton Town U16's 0
03/04/2008
Goal Scorers None
Man Of The Match Reece Connelly
Written By Wayne Dennis
The game started with both teams evenly matched and no real chances created at either end.
Stockton were the first to threaten when a great through ball by Fred Woodhouse was met by Grant Lake but his side foot volley lacked pace and direction.
Stockton were starting to get on top and a great strike from Scott Hillerby from outside the area brought a great save from the St Francis keeper. However he could only parry the ball, Nathan Clarke latched on to the loose ball but he could only hit he keeper with his shot and the ball was scrambled round for a corner.
From the corner the ball was cleared to the edge of the area and a Jo Hinchley strike smashed against the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Stockton were now doing all the pressing with Fred Woodhouse bursting through the middle only to fire straight at the keeper.
Stockton were straight back on the attack and a Grant Lake shot saw the Hartlepool keeper tip the ball onto the post and out for a corner. The corner brought confusion within the penalty area, a shot came in that a defender on the line got his head to, deflect the ball up onto the bar and out to safety. The score at half time was 0 0.
The second half started the same as the first half had finished when a great through ball found Grant Lake in space in the box but his effort could only find the keeper.
Within a minute Fred Woodhouse was sent clear through with only the keeper to beat and yet again he fired straight into the keeper's arms.
Stockton were made to pay for their missed chances when, from a Hartlepool corner that was only cleared to the edge of the box, the ball was fired into the far corner from eighteen yards.
Within five minutes Hartlepool were two up when Stockton failed to deal with a corner and a great header at the back post found the roof of the net.
Stockton were now chasing the game and St Francis were playing on the counterattack and with eight minutes left they scored a third. The game finishing 3-0 to St Francis.
A harsh lesson for Stockton Town that you must take your chances at this level if you are to win your games.
Man of the Match for Stockton was Reece Connelly.