Stokesley M1 vs Newcastle University M2 (H) - 3-1 (W)

Date: Saturday 31st October 2026

MOM: Phil Rose

Goals: J Atha, P Rose, D Clarke

After a week away from league action due to a slip week, Stokesley 1s returned to the pitch in confident fashion, securing an important 3-1 victory over Newcastle University 2s to strengthen their position in the league table.

The game got off to a lively start, with Rapha Shaw opening proceedings by receiving an early green card for a robust shoulder challenge, serving his suspension immediately. Stokesley soon made their mark, however, as a penalty corner presented the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock. Centre-back Phil Rose stepped up and made no mistake, finding the back of the net to put the home side 1-0 ahead.

Things quickly went from bad to worse for Shaw, who received a yellow card less than a minute later for deliberately knocking the ball away after realising the foul had gone against him. Despite the disciplinary disruption, Stokesley remained composed and managed the game well, taking their slender 1-0 advantage into half-time.

Newcastle University came out with renewed energy after the break, looking to get themselves back into the contest. However, it was Stokesley who struck next. Another well-worked penalty corner saw Jack Atha find the net, doubling the advantage to 2-0 and giving the home side some breathing room.

Stokesley continued to assert their dominance, controlling possession and making the most of a two-minute green card suspension for Newcastle. Their pressure eventually paid off, as a ball travelled across the pitch before taking a deflection and finding a diving Dawson Clarke at the back post, who made no mistake in converting to put Stokesley firmly in control at 3-0.

The game was then halted for a lengthy period following a powerful ball driven into the D. The ball deflected off Stokesley goalkeeper Marcus before striking a Newcastle attacker directly in the cheek. After receiving attention and having the injury patched up, the player was taken to hospital. Everyone at Stokesley wishes him a speedy recovery.

Following the restart, Newcastle showed plenty of fight and managed to inject some life back into the contest, producing an excellent reverse-stick strike to pull one back and make it 3-1. The goal raised the intensity for the closing stages, but Stokesley remained disciplined and saw out the remainder of the game to secure all three points.

The victory sees Stokesley remain 6th in the league, opening up a five-point cushion over Rotherham in 7th. With an important win under their belts following the previous week’s break, attention now turns to next weekend’s fixture, which sees Stokesley make the two-hour journey south to face a struggling Lindum side.

Finally, the much-coveted DOD award went to Marcus in goal, following his part in the unfortunate incident that saw a Newcastle attacker leave for hospital after taking a deflection straight to the face. A performance between the sticks that certainly left its mark — although perhaps not quite in the way anyone intended!

Next game: Stokesley M1 vs Lindum M2 - AWAY