A GROUND full of passionate fans attempting to get under the skin of the opposition, bitterly cold winds circulating the pitch making everyone regret they had left that woolly hat at home, and a celebratory march to the local pub for the winning side at full time.

It had all the makings of a classic wintery non-league Saturday afternoon encounter.

But it wasn’t. There was a significant difference about this one. For the 22 players on the pitch, as well as everyone associated with Marske United and Stockton Town in the dugouts, stands and directors’ box, this was the start of 180 minutes in which one side would realise the dream that every young English footballer wants to achieve.

The chance to compete for a trophy at Wembley Stadium made this FA Vase semi-final first leg completely alien from anything these clubs had been involved in for years, possibly ever.

But at the half way point of the tie, it is Stockton who are daring to dream, and Marske who have it all to do next weekend.

“We are obviously delighted, but we are only half way there,” said Stockton manager Micky Dunwell, after two first half goals gave his side the advantage in the battle for a place in the final of the competition at the national stadium.

“I know it is a bit of a cliché but we are. We have got to come out with exactly the same sort of performance next week to get to the final.”

That performance Dunwell refers to was one of a strong defensive base, a solid shape throughout, and crucially, clinical finishing with the few chances they created.

Marske were dominant in possession, but created very little. More than a dozen set pieces failed to cause Stockton goalkeeper Michael Arthur any major concerns.

The reality of competing for the chance to play in one of the world's most famous stadiums was evident early on. Both sides were slow to shed their nerves, choosing to play a compact, possession game.

But when Max Craggs lifted in a free kick after a foul on Kevin Hayes, Jamie Owens appeared to time his jump to perfection to head Stockton in front. It would be later ruled as an own goal by Joshua Rowbotham.

Marske tried to take advantage of a Stockton side that chose to sit deep after taking the lead. Craig Gott had a shot saved and Rowbotham saw his looping effort hit the post, whilst in between those chances, Joe Carter nearly turned the ball into his own net.

Midfielder Chay Liddle found himself in a good position on the edge of the Stockton box later in the half, but couldn't get a clean strike away. He would not be the only player during the afternoon to be guilty of that.

It was further sloppy play at the back by Liam O'Sullivan that let Craggs square to Fred Woodhouse to net Stockton's second on the brink of half time, just as they were appearing to settle for a single goal lead.

“It was a disappointing result, obviously”, said Nick Ward, assistant manager at Marske.

“We came into the game confident and we were playing well. We came into the game in good physical shape so everything worked well there.”

The football had become as frustrating as the weather for Marske supporters.

Both teams had to compete in cold and blustery, and at times, blizzard-like conditions, and heavy snow at the end of the first-half led to some concerns that the game wouldn’t be able to continue.

Most fans hurried for cover, and ground staff had their work cut out during the interval to make the lines on the 4G pitch visible.

The weather relented slightly in the second half, but Marske’s frustrations didn’t. O'Sullivan couldn't get a clean strike on a volley from eight yards out, and despite multiple corners - including six in ten minutes - and crosses into the box, the home side failed to pull a goal back.

“On the day, it doesn’t matter who you play in our league or in this competition, on any given day you can get beat, and that is what happened today,” admitted Ward.

“We let two very poor goals in, which is very unlike us. We have been solid at the back all season, and two bad goals has killed us.”

After the game, Dunwell recognised the importance of his side being solid at the back.

“We were conscious that we needed to keep that clean sheet - we needed to keep that two goal cushion and hopefully catch them on the break,” said Dunwell.

“I thought we particularly defended very well second half and throughout the entirety of the game really, but we were delighted with the performance.”

Stockton occasionally threatened on the break, but remained resolute behind the ball, and took the advantage into next week's second leg. Another defensive performance of that level will see them in the final.

Will Dunwell let his players dream of Wembley?

“I think they probably will,” he said,

“We will probably go to the bar but we won’t celebrate too much.

“We’ll probably have a couple of pints, have a quiet one tonight and then we’ll come back in the week and regroup.

“We’ll have a good training session and make sure we prepare properly, and then hopefully get the job done next week.”