In a thrilling cup encounter at Consett AFC on 30 May 2025, East Stanley Wmc FC showcased their attacking prowess, defeating Shotley Cricketers First with a resounding scoreline of 8-2. The match kicked off at 7:45pm, and the outcome was a testament to East Stanley's dominance throughout the game.
East Stanley lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Joe Longstaff took his position in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Kieran Gohery and Danny Castro as right and left defenders respectively, with Lewis Cox and Ryan Allen forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Kieran Taylor operated on the right, with Cameron Foreman in the centre and Drew Lake on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, Kyle Fazakerley and Callum Lishman occupied the wings, while Adrian Bailey led the line as the central striker.
The substitutes for East Stanley included Cain Jones, Sam Hodgson, Matty Allison, Brandon Bailey, Liam Chatton, and Andy Taylor, all of whom would play a crucial role in the match as the game progressed.
The match began with an unexpected twist as Shotley Cricketers First took an early lead in the 10th minute, catching East Stanley off guard. They doubled their advantage just 15 minutes later, scoring again in the 25th minute, leaving East Stanley trailing 2-0 and in need of a response.
In the 35th minute, East Stanley made two substitutions, bringing on Cain Jones for Drew Lake and Sam Hodgson for Kyle Fazakerley, aiming to inject fresh energy into their attack. The changes paid off just three minutes later when Lewis Cox found the net in the 38th minute, assisted by Kieran Gohery, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
As the first half drew to a close, Adrian Bailey equalised for East Stanley in the 44th minute, with Sam Hodgson providing the assist. The teams went into the break level at 2-2, with East Stanley gaining momentum.
The second half saw East Stanley continue their resurgence. In the 64th minute, Kyle Fazakerley returned to the pitch, replacing Callum Lishman, as East Stanley sought to maintain their attacking threat. The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Cain Jones scored, putting East Stanley ahead for the first time in the match.
The goals continued to flow as Matty Allison scored just six minutes later in the 75th minute, extending East Stanley's lead. Cain Jones then struck again in the 76th minute, with an assist from Cameron Foreman, making it 5-2.
Adrian Bailey added to his tally in the 77th minute, with Kyle Fazakerley providing the assist, further solidifying East Stanley's dominance. In the 78th minute, Brandon Bailey came on for Cain Jones, while Liam Chatton replaced Adrian Bailey in the 83rd minute.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ryan Allen scored in the 86th minute, assisted by Kieran Gohery, bringing the score to 7-2. The final goal of the match came from Liam Chatton in the 90th minute, sealing an emphatic 8-2 victory for East Stanley Wmc FC.
Referee Mark French oversaw a match filled with excitement and drama, as East Stanley Wmc FC's attacking display proved too much for Shotley Cricketers First. Adrian Bailey's standout performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, capping off a memorable evening for East Stanley.
