Sunday 11th April 2010 a home game versus Stockton West End. This was a sunny day with a very slight breeze played on a good firm pitch.

Neither side were impressive during the opening exchanges as they tried to probe the defences and an early injury to Hudson for Saltburn did not help and left us with a problem up front . However Saltburn did eventually, halfway through the first half score the opening goal when a high cross was dropped by the opposing keeper and Waller was on hand to score from two yards out. when Caird began to have leg pains it was the start of an awful afternoon of injuries. Hoggard went to right back then complained of a hamstring problem and then Wiilliams took a bad leg knock after a tackle.  Atkinson also was suffering from a dead leg after another tackle. These injuries were taking their toll and then the opposition scored from a corner when the ball was headed home as the defence stood and failed to challenge. The lead up to the goal was contentious as it was felt the opposition player was offside and only a last ditch tackle gave away the corner. The half time whistle was then blown. It was also noted that there was uncalled for abuse towards the ref by the opposition parents and coaching staff which was a disgrace.

The second half got under way with half the Saltburn team suffering injury and this showed up during the second half and when Whitfield got a leg knock after a tackle you could have felt it must be the 13th today. The team then unfortunately became deflated and the opposition scored their second when Saltburn's keeper stood on his line instead of coming for the ball and the ball was blasted past him. The Saltburn keeper was losing confidence as was the creaking defence which has been superb during the season so far. The third goal came and heads were going down. Substituting one injured player for another was all we could do. We did however rally and a cracking volley with the outside of his left foot by Atkinson brought the score to 3-2 and a chance to get something out of the game but a fourth goal, then a fifth meant our worst defensive display for some considerable time. It wasn't to end there as the Saltburn keeper instead of picking up the ball kicked it to the half way line and the opposition who then promptly hammered the ball goal wards and with the keeper having his back to the ball and showing no urgency to get back to his line the ball soared over him into the net. Having made some excellent saves in the first half the keeper had lost all concentration and was totally dejected. He wasn't the only player who seemed not bothered. This summed up an abject display in the second half but due to the injury toll it was no surprise losing but the total against was hard to take. This wasn't the final act as Ward chasing down a ball then pulled up abruptly in lots of pain clutching his right knee just before the final whistle. We were down and out well and truly. There were some positive displays particularly by Graham and the return of Blue after injury and illness and Waller did keep battling even though he was outdone physically. Man of the match was Graham who worked tirelessly throughout and never gave up.

Having a game next Wednesday but who do I play with so many injuries. I guess we will all have to pray as Ward maybe out for the season and Hudson's ankle injury is a real worry. The others hopefully are only minor knocks but the knock on confidence is even worse.