Stockton Town were taking on Marske United in the FA Vase semi-final second leg for the right to play either Thatcham Town or 1874 Northwich at Wembley in May.
This all Northern League tie was finely poised after last weekends first leg. Stockton held a 2-0 lead after winning their "away leg" last Saturday. I say "away leg" because of the recent wet weather the first leg was also played at Bishopton Road West as Marske United's pitch was saturated and no other suitable alternative venue could be found.
The ground is situated on the edge of town, behind the local sixth-form college.This semi-final tie match was billed as the biggest game(s) in Stockton Town's 40 year history, certainly since they moved into senior football in 2009. The game was an all-ticket sell out with 1,800 packed inside the tight ground.
Marske really needed to score first to keep the tie alive and they did indeed do that. Liam O'Sullivan firing home after 8 minutes. This though was after Stockton missed a one-one-one chance after 30 seconds of the game, Fred Woodhouse squandering the opportunity.
The Seasiders dominated the half but they could not find an aggregate equaliser. Stockton had their moments on the break and just before half time they were awarded a penalty. Kevin Hayes was fouled in the box and Nathan Mulligan stepped up to dispatch the spot kick and to restore The Anchors overall two-goal lead.
Marske came out for the second half and continued to pile on the pressure. A superb solo goal on 55 minutes from James Fairley, who picked the ball up on the wing before going on a mazy run and slotting home, putting Marske within one goal of levelling.
As the game went Marske pushed forward and took more risks, leaving gaps at the back, and there were chances for Stockton to seal the tie on the counter attack. The tie could have gone either way at this point. Michael Arthur in the Stockton goal pulled off a world class save to deny Curtis Round before Fairley had a goal disallowed moments from time due to a push in the box.
The final whistle sounded and the Marske players sank to their knees but it was jubilation for the Stockton players and supporters. In three short years they have gone from the Wearside League to Wembley. That is some journey! They will play Combined Counties League Thatcham Town in the final on 20th May.
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