Norman_Conquest
Well-known member
I went to the game and had forgotten how enjoyable non-league football is and how good the banter between fans can be - and not a hint of trouble.
Stockton played well with the Dunston keeper making an excellent save to keep both teams level. Stockton also missed a golden opportunity that the player will have nightmares about. Dunston went up the other end and with their first shot in the game, that their centre-forward, who was only 19 rifled home to make it 1-0. Stockton were still looking the better side and playing the better football but couldn't get a shot on goal. Dunston again broke down their right and crossed for the centre-forward to score a looping header from long range.
I felt Dunston scored their first two goals against the run of play but settled down with the second and played some lovely football and went at halftime 2-0 up.
Stockton came out all fired up but it was still Dunston playing the better stuff. Stockton managed to pull a goal back that lifted the crowd and started moving the ball about well. Dunston centre-forward managed to score his third. Dunston, rather than looking comfortable sat back to defend their two goal advantage and Stockton pushed on, managing to pull a goal back to make it 3-2. Stockton continued to be the better team and scored their equaliser deep in stoppage time (96 minute). You could honestly see the wind deflate out of Dunston.
Due to the late equaliser, I felt Stockton would go on to win the game in extra time but it was Dunston who went in front again with a well worked goal in the first period of extra time. Stockton managed to score their equaliser in the second period of extra time but due to tired legs, very few chances were created for both teams.
Dunston missed their penalty with the Stockton keeper saving well from the hat-trick hero for Dunston.
Penalties are a cruel way to end a good game of football but both teams knew the format from the start. Truthfully, I would say Dunston edged the game and deserved something out of it but it is Stockton who progress through the leagues.
The Fans - Dunston had brought a good crowd (300) with them and the stadium was a sell out of little over 1800 fans. Watching football with a beer in your hand makes the experience more pleasant and adds to the atmosphere. Stockton and Dunston fans were shouting football banter towards each other throughout the game, nothing nasty. One Dunston fan, while getting the better of the Stockton fan with his craiq, was put in his place when a young Stockton lad retorted, ' Do you come with subtitles?'
My favourite line of the day was from a guy who was being deadly serious. The fans around me were discussing the crowd when he mentioned a guy who attends every game with his dog. It's not fair, he says, that dog hasn't missed a game all season.
Stockton played well with the Dunston keeper making an excellent save to keep both teams level. Stockton also missed a golden opportunity that the player will have nightmares about. Dunston went up the other end and with their first shot in the game, that their centre-forward, who was only 19 rifled home to make it 1-0. Stockton were still looking the better side and playing the better football but couldn't get a shot on goal. Dunston again broke down their right and crossed for the centre-forward to score a looping header from long range.
I felt Dunston scored their first two goals against the run of play but settled down with the second and played some lovely football and went at halftime 2-0 up.
Stockton came out all fired up but it was still Dunston playing the better stuff. Stockton managed to pull a goal back that lifted the crowd and started moving the ball about well. Dunston centre-forward managed to score his third. Dunston, rather than looking comfortable sat back to defend their two goal advantage and Stockton pushed on, managing to pull a goal back to make it 3-2. Stockton continued to be the better team and scored their equaliser deep in stoppage time (96 minute). You could honestly see the wind deflate out of Dunston.
Due to the late equaliser, I felt Stockton would go on to win the game in extra time but it was Dunston who went in front again with a well worked goal in the first period of extra time. Stockton managed to score their equaliser in the second period of extra time but due to tired legs, very few chances were created for both teams.
Dunston missed their penalty with the Stockton keeper saving well from the hat-trick hero for Dunston.
Penalties are a cruel way to end a good game of football but both teams knew the format from the start. Truthfully, I would say Dunston edged the game and deserved something out of it but it is Stockton who progress through the leagues.
The Fans - Dunston had brought a good crowd (300) with them and the stadium was a sell out of little over 1800 fans. Watching football with a beer in your hand makes the experience more pleasant and adds to the atmosphere. Stockton and Dunston fans were shouting football banter towards each other throughout the game, nothing nasty. One Dunston fan, while getting the better of the Stockton fan with his craiq, was put in his place when a young Stockton lad retorted, ' Do you come with subtitles?'
My favourite line of the day was from a guy who was being deadly serious. The fans around me were discussing the crowd when he mentioned a guy who attends every game with his dog. It's not fair, he says, that dog hasn't missed a game all season.
