A valiant effort from the Commercial at the biggest pitch in the world ended in a defeat to the team currently top of the first division.
A couple of changes with Darren Howes and Tom Black getting a run out in centre mid and centre back respectively with Olly and Taddy dropping out.
A tough ask fot a Commercial team on the back of two draws in the third division against a team who had won 5 out of 5 in the first.
And it looked like it was going to form as Staxton forged ahead with a couple of decentt efforts early on, eventually leading to the first goal early on. A well worked goal was the undoing, but the Commercial bounced back.
A solid next five minutes ended with corners nad chances for Pete Noble, Jamie Fowler and Tim Boorer, all three of which were just off target.
But the class of Staxton showed as a counter sttack was finished neatly down to the keepers right to make it two ni.
Once again Commercial did not let this affect them and piled onn more pressure. A good move then ended up with a bit of pinball as the ball fell to noble just inside the box. He instinctively swung his right boot and it was bulleting towards the goal when it took a deflection of the defender. Still the ball had enough pace to beat the keeper and they were back in the game at 2-1.
Unfortunately they could not keep it at 2-1 until half time. Another well worked move by Staxton just before half time ended with a bullet of a shot that gave Ash Buck no chance.
3-1 half time.
A 'keep it up' speech from Geoff at half time as Commercial were playing well and I think that Staxton were surprised by the effort and ability of the lower league opposition.
A good early start was what was required from the commercial in the second half and thats exactly what they got.
A deep cross from a Matt Moorhouse free kick found Boorer unmarked in the middle. An attempted header missed his head and hit his neck/shoulder as he dived for the ball. The momentum of the cross and the power of the neck/shoulder attempt was enough to bury the ball low and in the corner though, which gave the keeper no chance - 3-2!
But once again Staxton retaliated immediately. Another shot low and right int he corner put them back up 4-2 and then.............the curse of Staxton Square!!
As hard as Commercial had worked for the opening hour on a pitch that surely is as wide as it is long, the fitness slowly dropped giving staxton the opportunity to play their football and knacker out the tiring opposition.
As Daz and Stu in the centre tired from their 100% work rate they were replaced with Olly and Nick, with a Jamie injury ending his day as Jacko enteres the fray.
By this point the score had escalated to 8-2 as they shots were all hit low and hard into the corner.
Staxton did leave gaps at the back mind you with Olly and Nick both having efforts go close, but the hard work was not enough in the end.
A hard-working game had by all but the outstanding man of the match had to be Stephen 'i don't know why I'm called Sven' Barker, who had the game of his left back life!!
Tom Black also had a great game considering it was his first start of the season, and against the toughest opposition possible!
