Report

An enthralling first half at Grounsell Park with Stan getting 2 goals in 6 minutes, but were pegged back by 2 goals in 13 minutes from West Auckland, with the added drama of Stan reduced to 10 men when Laquan Esdaille was red carded for a foul on Scott Heslop.

On 9 minutes Leighton Hopper was fouled on the right, near the home dug out. Cassidy whipped in a delightful free kick for Richie Slaughter to slot inside the post. 1-0.

On 15 minutes the Stan fans were delighted when Greg Purvis punted the ball for Hopper to head on for Max Cowburn to poke past a defender and keeper Jordan Harkess, to slot into an empty net 2-0.

Purvis saved a shot on 19 minutes from Corey Nicholson, but one minute later he could nothing about Danni Lay’s superb curling shot from the left edge of the box into the far corner. 2-1.

Gary Brown was spoken to by the referee, for a foul on Hornsby. The free kick from Dan Stephenson, gave Esdaille a header which was deflected for a corner. Cassidy took the corner, great ball for Hopper to control, swivel but his shot was blocked.

On 28 minutes a deep cross from the left for the visitors Andre Bennett to head the ball against the upright.

Controversy on the half hour when Heslop chased a through ball with Esdaille, with a questionable decision to red card Esdaille and a free kick just outside the area, which Purvis pushed away.

Pressure now on Stan as West looked for an equaliser, and it came on 33 minutes from a corner, from Reece Noble, Liam Potter headed powerfully in. 2-2.

Purvis saved Cieran Jackson’s shot, with Stan taking off Cowburn and bringing on Luke Taylor, On 43 minutes Slaughter was booked for foul. Noble took the free kick, and Purvis again saved well, from Heslop

H.T. 2-2

Stan fans watched the second half with tension, fearing the worse, but the manager during half time had galvanised his side to defend with a back 5 and 4 in front, with Hopper up front on his own. The visitors were not able to trouble Stan. Loads of possession for West but Stan stood up to all that was thrown at them. All 13 were truly magnificent.

Aaron Thompson was booked for a foul on Taylor, Hopper was exhausted and was replaced by James Proctor. Cassidy blocked 2 crosses with his body, Purvis denied Jordan Blinco, Gary Brown only yellow carded for a savage tackle on Stephenson, as time was running out for the visitors.

Andy Burn was set up with the one and only chance for Stan, and Stan fans flashed back to Barnoldswick, but his effort landed in the car park behind the goal.

The best ever NL gate for a first game in the Ebac Northern League Division 1 erupted with joy at the final whistle with a well deserved draw for the hard working Stan. For a short time Stan sit proudly on top of the table.

Brian Pratt

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