East Stanley Wmc FC faced off against Blackfyne FC at Blackhill And Consett Park on 22 September 2024. The match, kicking off at 10:00 AM, ended in a resounding 5-1 victory for East Stanley, showcasing a dominant performance that solidified their standing in the league.
Utilising a 4-3-3 formation, East Stanley Wmc FC lined up with Liam Chatton in goal. The defensive line consisted of Dean Pearce on the right, Lewis Cox and Sam Hodgson as central defenders, and Chrissy Rogan on the left. In midfield, Kieran Taylor operated on the right, with Cameron Foreman centrally and Connor Brown on the left. Up front, Kieran Gohery was positioned on the right, Callum Lishman as the central striker, and Drew Lake on the left.
This 4-3-3 setup is often employed to enhance attacking options while maintaining defensive solidity. The wide forwards and central striker were expected to interchange and apply pressure on the Blackfyne defence, while the midfield trio aimed to control possession and create scoring opportunities. The defenders were tasked with providing a robust barrier against any Blackfyne attacks, allowing the midfielders to transition quickly from defence to attack.
The substitutes for East Stanley included Jack Franklin, Brandon Bailey, Chris Wood, and Andy Taylor, providing depth and tactical options throughout the match.
The scoring opened in the 24th minute when Callum Lishman netted, with Kieran Gohery providing the assist. However, Blackfyne FC responded shortly after, equalising in the 30th minute, igniting hopes of a competitive clash. Yet, those hopes were quickly dashed as Drew Lake restored East Stanley's lead just five minutes later, finding the back of the net in the 35th minute.
The first half concluded with East Stanley in control, but they were not done yet. In the final minutes of the first half, Connor Brown extended their advantage to 3-1, converting a chance with Drew Lake assisting him perfectly in the 40th minute. Following this goal, East Stanley made a substitution with Jack Franklin replacing Chrissy Rogan just before the half-time whistle blew.
As the second half commenced, East Stanley continued to press forward. Callum Lishman scored his second goal of the match in the 60th minute, once again with an assist from Drew Lake, showcasing their effective attacking synergy. The action did not stop there; in the 62nd minute, Brandon Bailey came on for Dean Pearce as East Stanley looked to maintain their grip on the game.
Kieran Gohery then added to the tally in the 70th minute, scoring and further solidifying East Stanley's dominance on the pitch. That goal prompted a double substitution for East Stanley, with Chris Wood on for Callum Lishman and Andy Taylor replacing Kieran Taylor in the 70th minute, aimed at refreshing the squad for the final stretch.
In a final tactical move, Callum Lishman returned to the fray, coming back on to replace Chris Wood in the 80th minute, adding fresh legs to the forward line as East Stanley aimed to extend their lead further.
As the match drew to a close, East Stanley Wmc FC had firmly established their superiority, ultimately finishing the game with a convincing 5-1 victory, leaving Blackfyne FC to contemplate a challenging performance. Connor Brown, with his playmaking skills and goal contribution, was rightly recognised as the player of the match, embodying the spirit and skill that East Stanley demonstrated throughout the encounter.
