STONE DOMINOES...1

STAND ATHLETIC...3

THE league reversed this fixture from Ewood Bridge to Stone's impressive Springbank Stadium as Latics' floodlights are being repaired.

The switch to a good playing surface resulted in a highly entertaining game as both sides served up a feast of good football.

This was only Stand's second full game this year, and if the home side thought they could catch Stand cold, or a bit rusty, they were wrong.

It took just three minutes for the visitors to take the lead. Good approach work from debutant Micky Wolstenholme found Chris Denham on the left, he cut inside and his powerful shot took a slight deflection, but rocketed past Chris Fletcher in the home goal for his 20th goal of the season.

Minutes later Stand could have sewn up the game, a brilliant surging run from Stuart Telfer down the right took him into the penalty box, only for Fletcher to deny the winger at his feet.

Stone are a young side and they played plenty of good, lively passing football. They should have equalised when centre forward Danny Bowers outstretched foot failed to connect properly after 15 minutes, then, minutes later, Latics' goalkeeper, Tommy Allen, made three consecutives saves at in his own six-yard box to deny Stone a certain goal.

The half continued with quick football and plenty of half chances. Lee Wilkinson and Steve Davis all went close just before the whistle blew for the interval.

The second half saw Stone come out strong and press Stand hard in their own last third, but, despite this early pressure, it was the Latics who broke quickly.

Excellent approach work by Neil Dawes and Denham saw the ball break to Steve Carroll on the edge of the box and he drove a low, hard shot into the bottom corner.

Some 20 minutes into the half, Stone were denied a penalty when Bowers quick movement into the box saw him caught. There were strong claims by the home side and Nick Davis and Nick Woods both blew out heavy sighs of relief in the dug-out as referee Paul Graham ruled play on.

This did not deter Stand, and from a corner with 15 minutes remaining, Steve Davis powerfully headed home Neil Dawes' corner to wrap things up.

Dominoes got a goal back when Allen was put under pressure by substitute Grant Thorley, who robbed the Stand goalkeeper to shoot home into an empty net.

Stone deserved a goal for their part in an excellent match, but Stand's all-round ability and approach to the match was too much for the home side and the visitors deservedly took the three points home.

STAND ATHLETIC: Allen 8, Hannan 8, Gallagher 7, Davis 9, Anderson 8, Telfer 7, Stott 8, Denham 8, Wilkinson 7, Carroll 7, Wolstenholme 6. Substitutes: Dawes (for Woltensholme) 7, Ashton (for Wilkinson) 6. Referee: Mr Paul Graham (Manchester).

This Saturday, Latics entertain another Potteries side, Norton United (kick-off 3pm), while Daisy Hill travel from Westhoughton to Ewood Bridge next Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).