Wakefield & District Sunday Football League (Division 1)

Stanley United -------------------------------- 0
Wakefield Athletic ----------------------------- 0
 
Promotion chasing Wakefield Athletic and Stanley United ground out a thrilling draw in a game of two halves in heavy playing conditions in this Division One fixture.
 
Wakefield dominated the open half but found the home keeper Paul Spooner on outstanding form with a series of vital saves.  The visitors made a good start and threatened through a Warren Saxton free-kick and a pile-driver from Sikander Ibrahim.
 
A long throw from Shazad Fiaz was glanced on by skipper Barren Barnes and saw Scott Everett force the home custodian into a full-length save.
 
Stanley were more forceful on the turn and forced the visitors rearguard to defend in numbers.  Both sides battled bravely in these stamina-sapping conditions and the home side went close with a cross-field effort from striker Jimmy Oprysk flashing across the face of the Wakefield goalmouth.
 
At the other end, Sikander Ibrahim forced an effort off the line before Luke Crossley hit the woodwork.
 
Both sides were denied penalties, however a draw was a fair result in this outstanding affair of attacking football by the two sides.
 
Paul Spooner, Dean Riley, Ian Pringle and Oprysk excelled for Stanley United while the Express man-of-the match for Wakefield Athletic was shared by Sikander, Danny Barnes and Warren Saxton.