Marske United 2-1 Stockton Town
Smith (71’) Portas (90+7’)
Gott (89’)

The hosts got the game underway, but the opening exchanges were scrappy as the teams battled to get a foothold on the game.

The Anchors had the opening chance of the game after Connor Smith misjudged his header. That allowed Michael Roberts to advance forward and fizz a shot wide.

Adam Boyes drive forward with the ball, earning a corner. Callum Roberts in the Stockton goal couldn’t deal with the ball, forcing Adam Nicholson to head over the bar. Another corner followed but was cleared and Stockton countered but Ryan Catterick was equal to the punt forward.

Marske earned another corner following a mistake from Daniel McWilliams, but Roberts came and just about got a hand to it to take the ball away from the waiting yellow shirts.

In the 25th minute, Nicholson got caught under a header, allowing Boyes to nod down to Dale Hopson. The latter volleyed from range and the ball bounced narrowly wide.

Stockton earned a corner of their own after Jason Kennedy deflected an effort over the bar. Catterick dealt well though as the away side earned another corner which was headed well wide.

Stephen Thompson earned Marske a free kick in a dangerous area after being fouled by Nicholson. Craig Gott swung the ball in but Burgess nodded wide.

On the half hour mark, The Seasiders should’ve led. Boyes was played through and, with only Roberts to beat, fired at the Stockton ‘keeper. Hopson picked up the rebound, but the ball bounced wide. A huge let off for Stockton.

Smith got behind the Stockton defence, but his cross was saved by Roberts. Boyes received and poked back to Thompson but his cross was wayward and nothing came of the chance.

Half time: Marske United 0-0 Stockton Town

The opening of the second half was tight, with Marske having two chances that came to nothing. Stockton also had one shot fired narrowly wide.

Following a free kick in a dangerous area, Nicholson rose highest to head toward goal. The header had Catterick beat but hit the post and bounced across the line before Catterick claimed gratefully.

Jason Kennedy then went into the referee’s book for a kick on Roberts.

Marske had another great chance on 66 minutes when Adam Boyes beat Roberts to the ball after a poor back pass but the Stockton ‘keepers legs saved the certain goal.

Craig Gott then had a shot whilst being fouled right on the edge. The ref opted to not give the foul and instead signalled for the corner, which came to nothing.

Another corner came for Marske, but it was hooked away at the back post!

On 72 minutes, the breakthrough finally came. Connor Smith travelled with the ball before receiving it back. He was left with space to shoot and elected to, with the ball kissing the bar on its way in. Advantage Marske!

Kev Hayes and Lewis King were booked in succession for late challenges after the restart.

When Craig Gott picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, no one expected him to shoot. He did just that and WHAT A GOAL! Marske were as good as up!

Dale Hopson did the same but fired narrowly over the bar.

Stockton managed to pull a late goal back through the head of Tom Portas. It didn’t matter though as the ref blew time on proceedings and Marske United had SECURED PROMOTION TO STEP 3!

Marske United (4-1-2-1-2): 1 Ryan Catterick, 2 Connor Smith, 3 Curtis Round, 4 Glen Butterworth, 5 Kevin Burgess, 6 Andrew May, 7 Stephen Thompson (James Fairley 87'), 8 Craig Gott, 9 Adam Boyes, 10 Dale Hopson, 11 Jason Kennedy
Subs not used: 12 Matty Tymon, 15 Jack Blackford, 16 Liam O'sullivan, 19 Matty Wilkinson

Stockton Town (4-3-3): 1 Callum Roberts, 2 Lewis King, 3 Daniel McWilliams, 4 Tom Portas, 5 Adam Nicholson, 6 Tom Coulthard, 7 Kevin Hayes, 8 Nathan Mulligan, 9 Nathan Steel (Jamie Owens 81'), 10 Liam Cooke (Jonathan Franks 86'), 11 Michael Roberts (Dale Mulligan 81')

Subs not used: 14 Alfie Conway, 17 Louie Hall