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Title favourites Stockton Town ran out convincing winners on Saturday, as a patched up Sheffield FC side suffered in a wind dominated game, with the Teessiders 5-1 victors.

The home side had the advantage of the galeforce wind in the first half, and they made good use of this, racing into a 1-0 lead inside the first minute with a wind-assisted long distance effort from Tom Portas.

Club's task was made all the more difficult on 11 minutes, as Kevin Hayes cut in from the right, before hitting a low shot that left the visitors defence flatfooted. 

Stockton we're making good use of the wind at their backs, trying a shoot on sight policy from distance, and it paid off on the half hour mark when Glen Butterworth saw his shot deflected into the corner for 3-0.

The game was out of reach just before the break, Hayes sending in a free-kick to the back post, with Adam Nicholson rising highest to head home his side's fourth.

Club had the advantage of the wind going forward in the second half, but had left themselves a mountain to climb, but they were given a bit of hope when Cameron Johnson converted a penalty after he'd been brought down in the area by Nicholson. 

The scoring was completed in the 71st minute, Stephen Thompson hitting a fine strike from the right side of the area, after Sheffield's defence were unable to clear their lines.

Stockton Town: 1 Nathan Harker, 2 Lewis King, 3 Daniel McWilliams, 4 Tom Portas, 5 Adam Nicholson, 6 Tom Coulthard, 7 Kevin Hayes, 8 Glen Butterworth, 9 Michael Sweet, 10 Stephen Thompson, 11 Michael Roberts.

Subs: 12 Shane Henry, 14 Michael Fowler, 15 Cameron Painter, 16 Joshua Baggs, 17 Elliott Beddow.

Sheffield FC: 1 Edd Hall, 2 Jamie Yates, 3 Rory Coleman, 4 Harry Mitchell, 5 Ben Whelan, 6 Connor Cutts, 7 AJ Greaves, 8 Finn O'Boyle, 9 Marc Newsham, 10 Nathan Modest, 11Jorome Slew.

Subs: 14 Sam Greenhouse, 15 Riley Noble, 16 Benni Ndlovu, 17 Stephen Brogan, 18 Cameron Johnson.

Attendance: 637

Referee: Stephen Beresford