Stoke Ramblers 4-3 Newcastle

Last updated : 20 March 2011 By Dan Buxton

A Ramblers side missing numerous key players through injury, work and unavailability came back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to secure another victory, and keep their five month unbeaten home record going.

A new look Ramblers back line was exposed early on as an offside call saw everybody stop, bar centre back Myatt, and he was left exposed as the opposition passed it between three of them before then shot went in, despite keeper Wollingham getting a hand to it.

The lead was doubled after ten minutes when quick thinking from a free kick put the Magpies in again and they made no mistake.

The Ramblers could well have pointed to missing personnel and got their excuses ready but instead rolled up their sleaves and got themselves back in the game when Lee Tawn swung in a corner and Paul Gallagher stormed through to nod in for his first Ramblers goal.

Luck seemed to be against the hosts shortly before half time when a well struck shot from the Newcastle frontman was pushed out by the Ramblers keeper, only for the ball to deflect off the unfortunate Chris Evans knee and roll into the net to restore the Magpies two goal cushion.

A second Stoke strike gave them hope before the break as a long throw from Simon Duckmanton fell to Simon Myatt. The Ramblers defender then unselfishly laid the ball off to the prolific Lee Tawn, who struck his effort across goal and into the net.

Both sides were playing some good, neat, tidy football with Ramblers looking to get back on level terms and they did just that when, after getting fouled on the left wing, Dan Barkell got in front of his marker at the near post and glanced his header across goal and inside the far post after a great delivery from Lee Buckley.

The game was now wide open for either side to go for, and both sides did just that, but it was the Ramblers who snatched it, with fifteen minutes to go, when a superb cross from Gallagher picked out an unmarked Tawn at the back post, the striker making no mistake to secure a grittily earnt three points for Stoke Ramblers.