Challenge Cup final , great venue at Rockliffe, excellent pitches and a chance to show just how far Stokesley have come
The starting 11 were suppported by 5 subs all of whom came on and contributed to the game as Dave made full use of his squad both tactically and when forced to through injuries with Cameron suffering a nosebleed, Tom getting a kick to the stomach and Harry starting the game with a knee injury. Jake played with the help of a heavy dose of painkillers to bring down a high temperature and sore throat which made him playing at all seem unlikely at 7am this morning

The game started in a fashion we have become too accustomed to - 1-0 down after only 25 seconds this time.
Credit to the boys they did not loose heart so early and gradually got more and more into the game - Norton have a strong midfield ( their central midfielder winning M of the M) and few opportunities were created. We lost possession in midfield too often and did not use the width that was possible on this large pitch. We need to work on playing the ball forwards as well as wide and to not get caught in possession
On 21 minutes we made a break through when Jake ran onto a rare ball that was released forward from midfield cooly chipping the keeper with a shot which seemed to drop into the net in slow motion
Alexander replaced Andrew teaming up with Jake up front
1-1 at half time was very credible and the game could have gone either way. Cameron and Daniel were having excellent games in defence - however Cameron had to go off after a ball to the face caused a nose bleed,. Owen came on and got stuck in in his usual way but sadly N and S went ahead again to make it 2-1 on 38 minutes
Emil then replaced Harry whose knee injury was troubling him, Sam D replaced Pat but before long N&S put the match beyond reach when we failed again to clear a goal mouth scramble
Cameron came back on for Sam P but not before Sam had cooly cleared off his line
The changes went on as Harry came back on for John only for Emil to change jerseys as Tom took a kick to the stomach ( in the sramble) and did not recover - Dion came on as we pushed forward but were unable to make the break through - some good passing and battling performances throughout the team and nobody could be faulted for lack of effort, Tom Cameron Daniel Louis and Jake all had Mof the M votes and more than one parent wanted to give a vote to everyone but Tom came out worthy winner
Disappointing but yet to come so far and to compete against a team which finished 2nd in div 3 shows we are capable of playing at a higher level than we do in the league
A good season a good day out - disappointing but nothing to be ashamed of
Ian