Stockton 2 v 3 Stokesley

Both teams appeared evenly matched at the start of the first half despite

Stockton being a player down due to illness and injury.

After ten minutes Stockton took the lead when an infringement resulted in the award of a penalty corner.

The ball was injected with pace from Stockton's Bernice Monchar direct to captain Emma Renwick who stopped the ball and struck it towards goal.

The ball took a deflection off a Stokesley defenders stick and ricocheted into the top left hand corner of the goal to open the scoring.

This strengthened Stokesley's resolve and they retaliated minutes later when their forward line found their way through Stockton's defence for their captain Sue Hodgson to push the ball home for the equaliser.

The determination of both teams lead to tremendous pressure with end to end play, however it was Stokesley who finally broke the deadlock with a similar goal from Helen Waller just before half time.

There was, however, more to come when just before the half time whistle an infringement in the circle resulted in a penalty stroke being awarded against Stockton.

With Stokesley's Donna Pepper stepping forward to take the stroke, with skill and accuracy she placed the ball in the left hand corner to beat Stockton's keeper Terri Martyn.

Beginning the second half Stockton were keen to reduce the two goal deficit.

The pressure continued and Stockton's determination finally paid off when they produced a surging run from midfield.

A superb ball through from Monchar to Elaine Dyer resulted in Stockton's second goal, Stokesley's keeper was quick off her line but Elaine Dyer timed her run and shot well, slotting the ball calmly into the Stokesley goal.

In the closing minutes of the game Stockton continued to battle on to seize the equaliser but Stokesley held on to their lead and ended the game with their first win of the season.

Scorers: Emma Renwick (1) Elaine Dyer (1) - Stockton; Sue Hodgson (1) Helen Waller (1) Donna Pepper (1) - Stokesley.

Players of Match: Stockton, Caroline Jones and Stokesley, Donna Pepper.

Other results: Norton 2 Northallerton 0; Thirsk 3, Roseberry 2; New Dales 1, Mackinlay 2; Guisborough 1, Barnard Castle 1.

Fixtures, Sunday: Roseberry v Stockton; Stokesley v Thirsk; Barnard Castle v Norton; Guisborough v Mackinlay; Northallerton v New Dales.