East Stanley Wmc FC welcomed Blackfyne FC to the North Durham Academy on 23 March 2025, with kick-off at 10:30am. The home side produced a commanding performance, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory in this league encounter.
East Stanley lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Andy Taylor occupied the goalkeeping position, shielded by a back four consisting of Ryan Allen on the right, Lewis Cox and Sam Hodgson as central defenders, and Kyle Fazakerley on the left. The midfield trio featured Drew Lake on the right, Michael Storey in the centre, and Kieran Taylor on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forward line. Up front, Brandon Bailey operated on the right, Kieran Gohery took up the central striking role, and Callum Lishman was positioned on the left, tasked with exploiting the flanks and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
The substitutes for East Stanley included Cameron Foreman, Matty Allison, Gavin Clews, and Liam Chatton, who would later play a crucial role in the match.
The game started explosively for East Stanley, as Kieran Gohery found the back of the net just one minute into the match, assisted by Drew Lake. This early goal set the tone for the home side, who maintained control of the game throughout the first half.
As the match progressed, East Stanley continued to apply pressure on Blackfyne's defence, with Gohery's goal igniting their attacking flair. However, the first half concluded without any further goals, leaving the score at 1-0 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half began with East Stanley looking to extend their lead, and they did so in the 53rd minute when Drew Lake scored, with Brandon Bailey providing the assist. This goal further solidified East Stanley’s dominance and left Blackfyne struggling to respond.
In the 58th minute, Matty Allison was introduced, replacing Callum Lishman, as East Stanley looked to maintain their momentum. The game took a slightly contentious turn in the 66th minute when Lewis Cox received a yellow card, a moment that briefly disrupted the home side's rhythm.
Despite this setback, East Stanley continued to press forward, and in the 70th minute, Gavin Clews came on for Brandon Bailey, adding fresh legs to the attack. The home side's persistence paid off again in the 76th minute when Cameron Foreman scored, with Drew Lake providing the assist, marking a fantastic contribution from the midfielder.
As the match drew to a close, Liam Chatton was brought on for Ryan Allen in the 85th minute, ensuring East Stanley could see out their comfortable lead. The final whistle confirmed a resounding 3-0 victory for East Stanley Wmc FC, with Drew Lake earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his influential performance, contributing a goal and an assist. This victory not only boosts East Stanley's league standing but also highlights their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation.
