Men's 1s vs Wakefield 1

Men’s 1: 4 vs Wakefield 1: 2

Stockton got their new year off to the best possible start with a big win against title rivals Wakefield.

Despite an extended break and limited opportunity for training, thanks to the weather, Stockton started at full tilt and were ahead inside four minutes. Mercurial centre back Adam Warnes (KLW Management) with a towering aerial ball which seemed to mystify the home defence before finding its way to Ed Beak (Scott Bailey PGA) - the erudite forward opened his account for 2026 with a reverse stick finish high into the net.

The game went to the script though, Wakefield are a very strong side, particularly at home and their threat from short corners was dangerously apparent. Stockton soaked up the pressure. Wakefield were incessant though and despite the best efforts of stand-in keeper Ben Hall, equalised right on quarter-time having pounced on a rebounded short corner when Stockton failed to properly clear their lines. 

The home side forged ahead in the second quarter taking the lead from another penalty corner which just eluded the diving Hall. 

Stockton reacted brilliantly, moving the game away from the centre of the pitch. Joe Roberts (Boots Opticians) and Archie Fisher combined brilliantly on the left. While skipper James Tompkinson (ANI Estates) drove his team down the right. Jake Leader combined with his captain and looked a constant threat with his power and pace, he also had the ball in the back of the net: Leader got onto the end of a powerful cross, a deflection just in front of his first touch saw the ball loop up, undeterred Leader volleyed the ball out of mid-air into the roof of the net, only for the umpire to cut short the visitors’ rapturous celebrations by disallowing the goal based on danger. 

Pressure was building on the home side and Stockton had their tails up. Earning a penalty corner on the stroke of half-time. Billy Merifield (Lapoel Travel) sent a flick goalward and off the ensuing rebound, after a smart save, Myles Brown (Mi Box Live) latched onto the ball and with superb composure lifted it above and beyond Wakefield’s keeper for the equaliser.

Stockton have made a habit of growing into games this season and seem to get stronger later on in games (testament to their hard work and commitment to training and fitness as a collective) and this fixture was the same. They looked imperiously well organised and near impossible to break down. Ethan Skirving and Patrick Atkinson (Atkinson Build) stuck close to each other to reduce space in midfield, while Jack Addison (Yarm Physio) threw everything at his task. Birthday-boy Dan Stewart(DRB Security) was his usual defiant self, repelling Wakefield advances when things started to get hairy.

Stockton enjoyed more freedom in attacking areas. After some exceptional link up between Beak and Fisher, the former found Max Mowbray, who jinked past three defenders before unleashing a powerful reverse finish through the home keeper. A spectacular goal worthy of winning this titanic clash. 

Stockton went into the last quarter knowing discipline would seal the victory. Timmy Foley and Beak continued to be a threat on the break while Stockton soaked up waining home pressure. Stockton kept on lifting and seemed less troubled as time went on. Foley had a goal disallowed before Stockton’s top scorer had the final word. Merifield sending a penalty corner flick rocketing into the bottom corner to seal the victory. 

Other results in the Premier League means the win takes Stockton to the summit of the region’s top division. Just ahead of second place Sheffield Bankers on goal difference and six points clear of Wakefield in third. Next weekend sees the visit of both Bankers and fourth place City of York to Egglescliffe School in huge double-header on Saturday and Sunday.

Man of the match: Archie Fisher