Report

Heaton Stan made it three wins on the spin for the first time, secured just a second away win of the season and the club’s first double in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division, but perhaps most importantly, took three points against a relegation rival in Sherwood Colliery.

The first chance of the game came on nine minutes through Mark Turnbull, who received man of the match from the supporters for his defensive work, but probably not for this effort which was a volley over the bar from a corner. Dan Capewell also missed a good chance from a set piece, heading over on 19 minutes.

Turnbull’s defensive prowess was on full display throughout the game but particularly on 11 minutes when Jacob Pearce got to the byline and attempted to cut the ball across the six yard box, but Turnbull timed a slide tackle perfectly, blocking the attempted square pass and then stepping out confidently.

Connor Walker hit two goals against Bradford (Park Avenue) during the week and picked up where he left off 23 minutes into this game. The move started at the feet of Lewis Brass who had just come to claim the ball away from an advancing Sherwood attacker. The Stan goalkeeper played a long ball forward towards Jay Errington, who combined with Dan Groves and then Leighton Hopper who raced to the left-side of the box, cut a ball to Walker on the edge of the area who steadied himself before slotting a beautiful finish into the keeper’s bottom-right corner.

The next goal would be crucial and both sides had their opportunities in the 15 minutes after Walker’s opener. Jay Errington clipped the bar with an overhead kick, and at the other end Bircumshaw fired over from the edge of the area, and Pearce put a free header over the bar from close range.

The Stan would go in at the break 2-0 up thanks to some more magic from Connor Walker. Sherwood’s failure to clear their lines under intense Stan pressure allowed Walker to pick up a loose ball around 25 yards out, find space on the edge of the D before adjusting his body to fire a wicked shot into the near bottom corner, clipping the post on its way in.

Sherwood were resurgent in the second half without breaching Brass. The Stan had done all of their hard work in the first half and just had to defend valiantly in the second half, which they did with aplomb. Fantastic scenes ensued at full time as the players and coaches came across to the noisy Stan Army section to thank them for their support. The journey home reflected the jubilant mood, as belief grows that survival in our first season in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division is very achievable.

Liam Milburn