Men's 1s vs Stockton 2

2nd home match at the start of the season saw the Marton lads take on local rivals Stockton 2. Stockton fresh off a 9-1 hammering of Durham City the week before where expected to be a tough test for the Marton lads.

The reality was much different than expected as an excellent team performance completely nullified the Stockton threat and with front man Eli Stephenson causing consistent problems for the Stockton defence.

As might be expected the early exchanges in a local derby resulted in some committed challenges from both sides with both umpires doing their best to keep players on the pitch, early conversations with both captains for teams to watch the tackles.

Stockton looked to play the ball quickly around the back to move the home teams midfield around but this ended up conceding the first goal. The ball out to the left hand side was misplaced just outside the 23m line quick thinking from Matthew Bethell resulted in a quick ball in to the D for Eli who feeling the keeper behind him rolled around him to finish into an empty net.

This was then followed up with a great ball down the left for Eli again to attack the line, the Stockton defender resorting to a shove in the back to send the striker to the ground and the Stockton defender to the bench for a 5 min rest. The resulting short corner from Bob Walton being saved back out to the Marton player who in the act of shooting was fouled, with James Simpson finishing the resulting flick.

Marton continued to frustrate their opponents into the 2nd half whilst still managing to carve out a few short corners on the counter attack, from one of these skipper Lewis Johnson forced a save from the Stockton keeper, but the ball went straight up in the air for Eli Stephenson to finished well from the dropping ball.

Stockton continued to push forward with their young quick forwards causing problems down the wings but nothing really resulted in chances for the away side with the defence marshalled by David Carter standing strong until the last 7 mins when Stockton managed to grab a consolation goal.

Goals | Eli Stehenson x 2, James Simpson

Assists | Bob Walton x 2, Matthew Bethell

Cards | Callum Lethbridge (Y)

Player of the match | Eli Stephenson

Umpires | Andy Williams and Leigh Brown