Competition: Northern League Division One

Bishop Auckland vs Heaton Stannington

Heaton faced off against league leading Bishop Auckland on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Vest Construction Stadium in front of 398 spectators and, as expected, the hosts provided a strong test for the Stan. The Bishops started the day eight points clear at the top of the table and 22 points above Heaton, though Heaton have five games in hand.

Though the game was predicted to be a tight affair, both teams had great opportunities in the opening quarter of an hour. Louis Johnson demonstrated his pace for the hosts early though was unable to get a shot through on goal thanks to strong blocks by the Heaton defense. Hopper had Heaton’s first chance of the game after just six minutes, taking on and beating a couple of Bishops defenders and forcing a great reaction save from Catterick in the home goal.  Brass demonstrated his shot stopping ability on 13 minutes, getting down sharply to his left to deny the hosts a headed goal and bravely blocking the follow up attempt for a double save.

Johnson continued to trouble the Heaton back line, linking up with Thexton and Bartliff on a couple of occasions but all of Bishop’s shots missed the target. The Stan found it difficult to maintain possession or fashion any real chances. A 40th minute corner from Dan Stephenson was headed wide and after the hosts broke and again failed to trouble Brass the sides ultimately went into the halftime break level at 0-0.

Just like the first half, the second began with a flurry of activity. Scott stooped to head back to Brass from a Bishops cross, the home fans behind the goal briefly excited by the prospect of an own goal but Brass held on. Heaton looked to attack on the break and a promising move between Hopper and Stephenson broke down at the edge of the box. The hosts were quickly back on the attack themselves and managed to break the deadlock on 54 minutes. Johnson again using his pace to get to a ball knocked into space before crossing invitingly to Thexton. Brass got a hand to the powerful header but was unable to stop it from hitting the back of the net. Heaton responded immediately with a substitution and change of shape, Evans withdrawn for Lashley.

Johnson was played in again minutes later but a last-ditch tackle forced him to turn back and his shot was eventually blocked. There were appeals from the crowd for a penalty but credit to Johnson for staying on his feet and trying to finish the chance. Heaton had a chance to equalize on 61 minutes through Lashleybut his shot was tipped just wide of the post. Burn came on for Reid in midfield after 62 minutes played. Disaster struck for the Stan on 70 minutes as Brass misplayed the ball after receiving a back pass and Thexton pounced to smash the ball into the net for his second goal of the day. Heaton again responded, this time with a double substitution with Doyle replacing Turnbull and Sayer coming on for Anderson.

Bishops put the game beyond doubt on 82 minutes after Thexton controlled a great ball over the top on the run and slotted the ball neatly past Brass to earn his hat-trick. Heaton continued to push forward however and Sayer had a fantastic opportunity on 85 minutes. This time the Bishops keeper misplayed the ball and Sayer’s attempted lob just clipped the crossbar. Heaton finally found the back of the net on 89 minutes as Lashley picked up the ball and curled beautifully into the bottom corner. A final chance fell to Sayer but he was unable to direct the ball into the net and the match finished 3-1 to the hosts. The Stan will look to move on quickly when they face Whitley Bay at home midweek.

Sam Henderson

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Birtley Town vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan made the relatively short midweek trip just south of the Tyne to take on high flying Birtley Town. The hosts have been enjoying a successful first season in Division One and looked set to provide a tough test for Heaton.

From the very start of the match, Birtley looked to impose a physical and direct style of play. The opening ten minutes saw the Stan defending a couple of good long throws and two corners. It was from the second of these corners that the hosts took the lead on 12 minutes. The initial cross was cleared by Burn but the ball fell to former Heaton Player Matty Ward whose powerful shot flew into the top right corner of Brass’s goal.

Birtley’s aerial attack continued to cause Heaton problems and Brass saved twice in the following minutes, albeit one from a chance ruled offside by the referee’s assistant. Heaton started to grow into the game and fashioned a couple of chances with Reid and then Hopper both firing warning shots over the Birtley bar. Heading into the final minutes of the first half Stan continued building pressure, Dan Stephenson saw a corner ball recycled back out to him and a scrambled clearance resulted in Burn shooting wide. Burn almost made it to the end of a neat through ball shortly after but Birtley’s keeper was alert to the danger and collected the ball.

The Stan’s breakthrough came in first half stoppage time. While Birtley protested the award of a throw-in to Heaton, Hornsby found himself with time and space down the left to fire in a low ball which was tucked in by Reid at the back post. The Birtley protests continued after the referee blew for half-time but the two sides headed into the break even at 1-1.

Heaton made two changes before play resumed in the second half with Burn and Reid replaced by Anderson and Lashley. It was the hosts that had the first chance in the second half, with Brass saving well from Birtley’s Heslop before a couple of promising Heaton attacks were also repelled. Birtley continued to trouble the Stan defence with long balls, corners and throws, however, on 63 minutes, a sharp break down the wing from Lashley saw him thread a pass to Hopper who managed to poke the ball just beyond the Birtley keeper and into the back of the net. Lashley himself had a chance to put the game out of reach just ten minutes later but saw his long range effort crash back off the post.

Birtley continued to push for an equaliser but Heaton’s defence held firm, Brass in particular making several important saves in a man of the match performance. Hopper and Lashley continued to stretch the Birtley defence on the break, with Hopper being cynically brought down resulting in a Birtley booking heading into the final ten minutes. Hopper was once again fouled deep into stoppage time, this time resulting in a red card for the Birtley defender as the last man. Lashley was unable to convert the resulting free kick but Heaton saw off the remainder of the time to secure a very hard fought three points. The result sees Heaton sitting in 7th place in the league with at least three games in hand on the teams around them. A break in competitive fixtures for the Stan sees them take on Temecula FC from the USA in a mid season friendly on Friday night before Boro Rangers visit Heaton next week.

Sam Henderson

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Heaton Stannington vs West Auckland Town

In a cracking match, Heaton Stannington came from behind, after conceding an early goal, to win with a very late goal, to give them the double over third placed West Auckland.

Joe Shepherd returned to the first team, with Kane Evans making his 50th start for the Stan.

A fine day, generally dull but a bit of sunshine crept in, but not for long, as it remained cold.

Stan started well and had a couple of attacking moves down the left flank, with shots not testing keeper Piotr Banda. And one long range shot from Sean Reid, Banda saved comfortably.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 5 minutes, when a clearance from Lewis Brass hit the back of Joshua Scott, deflected up into the air and towards goal with Scott getting to it first and heading into the net. 0-1 His 18th league goal of the season.

Stan reacted well with some good inter passing, Mark Turnbull finding Jordan Lashley but he couldn’t find space for a shot, but on 18 minutes a superb volley from Dan Stephenson which just went inches wide of the upright.

The moves from Stan kept coming, Richie Slaughter and Stephenson instigators of most flowing moves forward, but Stan found it difficult to finish off their moves.

Turnbull to Reid who found Stephenson who gave the ball out wide to Leighton Hopper, but his cross was deflected behind for a corner. Andy Burn to Stephenson and again to Hopper, who was a handful. A lot of possession, good passing, but that final touch was not working.

On 36 minutes a Burn effort was turned aside by Banda for a corner.

Burn to Reid back to Burn out to Hopper but again his shot went wide.

But the equaliser came on 41 minutes, Burn to Stephenson, to Lashley and across to Hopper, whose shot from outside the area, took a slight deflection and went into the top far corner of the net. 1-1 A well deserved equaliser.

HT 1-1

West Auckland raised their game but they met a stubborn home defence which stood strong with all that was thrown at them. On 50 minutes James Harrison just outside the area but his shot flew over the Stan bar.

Three minutes later Oscar Fletcher headed wide when he should have done better.

Mark Turnbull was yellow carded for a foul on Corey Nicholson. From the free kick Scott headed over the bar.

On 57 minutes Lashley shot low, Banda fumbled the ball to Hopper, 4 yards out, but amazingly, he hit the chest of the keeper.

Turnbull was impressive in getting in a tackle to turn the ball out of play, denying West Auckland a goal scoring opportunity.

Brass was at his best with a marvellous save on 59 minutes when Lee Hulme, 22 yards out was denied by a truly great save.

Strange moment just past the hour when VAR visited Grounsel. (without camera or dodgy white line) Asst referee raised his flag, was it for offside or a foul? Ref told him to put his flag down and play went on. Brass walked out of the way (why risk injury) as Scott netted. Quite a hold up as who knows what was said. Stan were awarded a free kick where the assistant had raised his flag.

On 68 minutes Reid seemed to be fouled as he passed to Hopper, but he dinked the ball on to top of bar and over.

Then Nicholson hit the base of the post from outside the area from a breakaway. Action from end to end as each side wanted a win.

Magic from Hopper on 76 minutes, having beaten a couple of defenders he squared the ball for Burn, many who saw that Barnoldswick blockbuster of a winner, thought here we go again, but he smashed the ball over the bar.

83 minutes Mark Turnbull was injured in another of his tackles and was replaced by Alfie Marriott.

Evans rescued Stan, when conceding a corner as Brass raced a long way out. Evans needed treatment. From the resultant corner substitute Danny Sayer headed away.

4 minutes of added on time.

Another world class save from Brass when Scott hit a goal bound shot but was denied by the flying keeper.

Last minute, and what an outstanding pass from Slaughter, through the middle for Hopper to run onto with Liam Potter taking Hopper out. Penalty given.

Game held up while Ben Dale was given a yellow card then another yellow as he kept on at the ref.

Ice man Hopper nonchalantly put the spot kick away to steal a win for Stan.

That’s half the league games now completed for Stan.

FT 2-1

Dean said after the match, “The equaliser was coming eventually. We were happy with 99% of it, but it was just that last cross, shot or whatever it was, that last pass, it was just letting us down. It was tough. We defended really well. Do not lose the game was the order, but we took all 6 points against them, was unbelievable.”

Brian Pratt

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Whitley Bay vs Heaton Stannington

On a bitterly cold but dry winter’s afternoon, both teams had to deal with a cut up pitch and windy conditions although it was the home side who sealed the 3 points, just, & late on in the match through a penalty. Although Whitley Bay had more opportunities to score, the Stan nearly sneaked a draw and could have even snatched a victory. There were 2 changes from last Saturday’s win against Northallerton with Anderson and Greenwood replacing Carr and Lashley. It was Dan Stephenson’s 100th and Richie Slaughter’s 50th starts for the Stan.

Whitley Bay had the 1st 2 attacks in the 3rd minute but these came to nothing. The Stan then advanced before another Bay attack. Hopper then advanced & sent the ball to Reid & although the ball was cleared, Reid won it back although the move eventually ended in a Bay throw in. Both teams were now trying to advance up the pitch when they could although the resulting attacks were easily dealt with at both ends. The home side shot well wide after 10 minutes & they had another attack blocked 2 minutes later. This resulted in a corner which led to Brass making a great save before Bay eventually got another shot which went well wide. It was mainly home pressure now but the Stan were still trying to attack. The most dangerous Bay attack so far came in 15 minutes when Evans & Turnbull both had to make clearances. 3 Stan advances then came to nothing. In 19 minutes, Brass received a groin strain but soldiered on in the absence of a sub keeper.  In 22 minutes, Reid advanced into the home box but his close range shot hit off the keeper. Bay then had 3 attacks with the 3rd headed out by Turnbull for a corner from which Hopper headed clear. The ball came back in & Evans headed out for another corner from which the ball was cleared twice on the Stan goal line. It resulted in another corner from which Brass easily caught the ball. In 29 minutes, there was more Bay pressure & Stephenson had to slide the ball out for another corner. The Stan were living dangerously as Bay kept attacking. The Stan started to revive in 34 minutes & 2 minutes later Anderson was upended just outside the home box. Stephenson’s resulting free kick was only stopped by a great save from the home keeper. Anderson was then brought down again. In 39 minutes. Stephenson took the free kick & although the ball was initially cleared it remined in the box near Reid who was pushed in the back but nothing was given despite the calls from the Stan Army for a penalty. There was more pressure from Bay although in injury time Hopper sent a long ball to Anderson but he was off side. The half ended with Brass getting up to save although a Stan free kick was given as he was fouled while doing so.

Bay attacked from the start of the 2nd half although the Stan defence blocked their initial chance to score & the follow up shot was blasted over the bar. Both teams were trying to attack & in 53 minutes, after a foul on Reid just outside the Bay D which resulted in a yellow card, Stephenson sent his free kick over the bar. Brass had to make a save in 55 minutes & 2 minutes later the advancing Hopper was brought down. Stephenson’s resulting free kick was sent straight at the home keeper. Lashley replaced Greenwood in 59 minutes to freshen up the Stan attack although it was Brass who had to catch a headed Bay effort next. As the wind got up, there was more Bay pressure. In 65 minutes though, Brass sent a long ball up to Lashley who was brought down 30 yards out. Stephenson sent the resulting free kick round the wall & the home keeper had to dive full length to put his effort out for a corner. The ball from the corner was missed by everyone & the same thing then happened at the other end. In 70 minutes, Evans cleared followed by Lashley counter attacking but was offside. Soon after, Evans cleared a Bay corner before Brass caught from a home free kick. Both teams were trying to attack & in 77 minutes Evans cleared again followed by a Stan shot being blocked & a rebound shot was blasted off the underside of the home bar although an offside flag was raised. In 81 minutes, Day went down just inside the Stan box after Doyle’s foot had made contact & a penalty was awarded. Holmes took it &, although Brass went the correct way, he blasted the ball into the back of the Stan net to make it 1-0 to Whitley Bay in the 82nd minute. Both teams were still trying to attack. In 89 minutes, a Lashley shot from the edge of the box was blocked by the home keeper & the rebound shot was blasted just wide by sub Burn. In the 91st minute, the advancing Hopper was brought down but the referee decided that he was not in the box. The resulting free kick on the penalty box line was taken by Burn but his effort was blocked. Bay countered but Brass got to the ball &, wind assisted, sent it back up but the home keeper got it under pressure as he collided with Hopper who was booked. In 95 minutes, a Stephenson effort from the edge of the box was blocked. The last Stan attack resulted in Bay counter attacking & although 2 defenders & a diving Brass were beaten the attacking home player’s shot went just wide at the far post & the final whistle was blown soon after.

So it was to be nil points for the Stan as Whitley Bay got a late winner although the Stan also came close to also getting a 2nd half goal. The Stan now host Crook Town on Wednesday evening.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Northallerton Town

The Stan defeated the weather to play their 1st home match since 23rd December last year & then also defeated Northallerton to achieve a hard-fought victory in front of a bumper crowd of 439. On a blustery but sunny afternoon, the Stan started on top but as the 1st half went on, Northallerton got more into the game & sneaked a goal just before half time. 2 quick early 2nd half goals saw the Stan equalise then take the lead which they held onto to take all 3 points. There were 3 changes from last Saturday’s defeat at Penrith with Evans, Stephenson & Lashley replacing Scott, Sayer & Anderson. Northallerton had a number of new signings in the squad for the 1st time.

The Stan attacked from the start & had all the early pressure. In 4 minutes, a ball into the box to Lashley was headed clear before he could make contact. 3 minutes later & he was on a twisting run but was blocked but the Stan kept attacking & eventually won a free kick at the edge of the Northallerton box. From it, Stephenson sent the ball into the box & Reid got down low to head the ball, but the keeper got his hands on it. Soon after, as the one-way traffic continued, Hornsby sent the ball into the box towards Hopper, but he couldn’t get his head to it. The 1st Northallerton attack did not come until the 13th minute from which Marriott headed out for a corner. 3 minutes later & the visitors attacked again but their effort went wide under pressure in a busy box. In 20 minutes, Lashley broke free & past another player but shot under pressure at the keeper who caught the ball. 2 minutes later & Northallerton shot wide. In 24 minutes, a Stephenson free kick was cleared by a defender just in front of the keeper on his line. The game was more even now and more end to end with both teams trying to attack. In 31 minutes, a Stan counterattack was blocked in the box & eventually cleared. Slaughter then sent a diagonal ball across to the advancing Hopper, but he could not get on the end of it. In 35 minutes, Evans forced a corner from which Marriott got up but headed wide. 3 minutes later & a Northallerton corner was cleared followed by a Stephenson free kick being cleared. In 41 minutes, Northallerton went surprisingly into the lead when, from a corner, a header at the far post was cleared but the follow up shot was blasted into the net from close range. In 44 minutes, Hopper sliced an effort & 3 minutes later a Northallerton corner was cleared & the half ended with the visitors retaining their late slender lead.

Again, the Stan started the 2nd half on the attack & the early pressure was to pay off. In 47 minutes, Lashley was brought down as he entered the Northallerton box & Hopper comfortably scored from the resulting penalty to bring the Stan level in 48 minutes. The Stan were in the lead in 2 minutes later when a Stan attack into the Northallerton box saw efforts by both Hopper & Lashley blocked before Turnbull finished the job by slotting the all into the net at the far post. In 52 minutes, Hopper broke but, under pressure on the edge of the box, he had no one to pass to. The Stan then had a corner which Reid got up for but headed over. There was more Stan pressure until in 58 minutes a rare effort by Northallerton from long range was easily caught by Brass. 5 minutes later & a Lashley long range shot saw the visiting keeper get down to save it. In 67 minutes a Stephenson shot was also caught by the home keeper. 3 minutes later & Stephenson attacked down the right & his under pressure shot saw the keeper get a hand to it before it went off the post with Carr sliding in to try to get a rebound shot but collided with the keeper who then cleared the ball. Carr ended up injured & had to be replaced by Anderson. After a quieter period, there was a great combined move by Stephenson & Lashley, after Reid had won & passed the ball, & it ended with Lashley’s curling shot hitting the post. It was all mainly pressure from the Stan until Brass had to catch a Northallerton effort in 86 minutes. In 90 minutes, a long ball to advancing sub Sayer saw him put the ball just over the bar after a great run. In 91 minutes, a Reid shot was blocked as the Stan tried to get a 3rd goal to kill the match off. In 93 minutes, a Northallerton attack was blocked by Evans. From the resulting corner, the Stan defended well & although the visitors eventually got a shot in, it went wide under pressure.

The Stan worked hard to achieve a deserved win & have now gone back up to 6th in the table with games in hand. Special mention must go to the effort of Evans & Slaughter. Although dependent on the weather the Stan will be travelling on Tuesday to Tow Law & hopefully a snow plough won’t be required for the Stan Army to get there.

Kevin Mochrie

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Carlisle City vs Heaton Stannington

On Saturday 13th January, the Stan travelled to Carlisle City for their third consecutive away game of the new year. A crowd of 145, including a strong contingent of travelling Stan fans, watched a game of few quality chances, somewhat hampered by the effects of recent weather on the Carlisle pitch.

The opening quarter of an hour saw each team receive promising free kick opportunities with Reid firing over for Heaton and Marriott blocking a shot from Carlisle’s Jordan Palmer. Both teams struggled to link passes together or create any real goalscoring opportunities until Reid again shot over the Carlisle crossbar on 28 minutes. Shortly after the Stan were awarded another freekick on the edge of the box. Sayer whipped in a dangerous looking cross and shouts for a foul on Reid in the penalty area were waved away by the referee.

The deciding moment in the match came just 10 minutes later when a neat ball over the top found a Carlisle forward behind the Heaton’s defence. Brass came out quickly to close down the ensuing shot but a scrambled clearance fell straight to Birdsall. His follow up was again turned away by Brass but Jordan Holt was on hand to tap in for Carlisle.

A late corner from Hopper found Reid but he was unable to get the necessary power on his header to trouble Carlisle’s keeper and Sayer was unable to find the target with an effort in 1st half stoppage time. The hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half produced more clear chances for both sides. On 49 minutes Hopper’s cross was punched clear with a strong hand from Carlisle’s keeper before a scramble in the area led to Carlisle firing against Heaton’s bar. Hopper caused more problems for the Carlisle defence, beating a couple of players before shooting high and wide.

The 65th minute saw Lashley subbed on for Sayer and he almost immediately had an opportunity to shoot from distance. Once again, however, the Carlilse keeper wasn’t forced into action. Carr played in Lashley again minutes later, this time resulting in a corner but the Carlisle defence stood firm.

On 80 minutes Holt played in McCartney for Carlisle but Brass was once again on hand to keep the difference to one goal. The Stan managed to work a chance of their own a few minutes later from a throw in. Nice play between Greenwood and Reid resulted in a shooting opportunity for Greenwood but the keeper was equal to the task. Greenwood had another chance from a freekick in the dying minutes of the match but sent the ball into the stands. Despite a large amount of stoppage time due to an earlier injury to Carlisle’s Kirkup, the Stan were unable to rescue a point and had a frustrated Burn sin binned to round off the match.

It just wasn’t to be for Heaton today with strong defensive performances from both teams largely cancelling each other out. Weather permitting, Heaton go again on Wednesday night when they face Guisborough Town who currently sit just one point behind them in the table.

Sam Henderson

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North Shields vs Heaton Stannington

It was an important night for North Shields as they played their 1st match since 11 November & their 1st home one since 18 October & in doing so overcame not just the weather but also financial issues which saw the loss of their former manager & his entire playing squad. It was the Stan though who collected 3 points after a 4-0 win. There were 5 changes from Friday’s win at Seaham with Corkhill, Reid, Scott, Lamb & Lashley being replaced by Brass, Hornsby, Marriott, Stephenson & Anderson. Former Stan player Dean Holmes started for North Shields.

The Stan attack from the kick off & although Hopper won a corner, a goal kick was awarded. It was only 2 more minutes though until the Stan scored in a joined-up move involving Slaughter crossing to Hornsby who sent the ball back to the advancing Slaughter who supplied Sayer who crossed the ball into the box &, after Hopper had been blocked twice, Carr put the ball in the net. It was still mainly Stan & the home side did not get a clear attack until the 7th minute. In 8 minutes the Stan were 2-0 up when a great run by Hopper, after being supplied by Stephenson, saw him get past 2 defenders on the edge of the box then scored past the keeper from a tight angle for his 50th competitive Stan goal. There was then a great ball in by Hornsby but it was cleared &3 minutes later a Stepehson free kick was cleared. Anderson then had a shot deflected for a corner from which a Stan shot was blocked ion the goal line for another corner. From it, Sayer eventually shot well over. It was one way traffic as the Stan kept attacking & the expected 3rd goal came in 23 minutes when Sayer supplied Stephenson who was advancing down the middle of the pitch & unmarked comfortably slotted the ball past the home keeper for his 20th Stan goal & what a goal it was. North Shields then got out of their own half for the 1st time in 17 minutes. The Stan continued to look good & win most loose balls. In 37 minutes, North Shields had a rare attack which was blocked. When called on though, The Stan defence worked well & it wasn’t until 39 minutes when the home side had their 1st shot of the match which went wide. 3 minutes later they had a 2nd effort, from a free kick, which went wide. In 45 minutes, Slaughter slid in towards the ball & the goal line but was blocked followed by Hopper also being blocked.

The Stan started the 2nd half with an attack & a Stephenson free kick was cleared in the home box. North Shields though, unlike in the 1st half, quickly got into the game & started to prove more of a challenge to their opponents. As a result, the 1st 8 minutes saw mainly home pressure before a more even period of play. In 62 minutes, Slaughter senta long diagonal ball to Anderson in the home box but he was blocked & soon after he received the ball in front of goal but a poor connection allowed the home keeper to easily save his effort. 2 minutes later & Brass easily saved. North Shields then had another 2 shots cleared in front of the Stan goal. In 69 minutes though, & against the overall 2nd half so far run of play, the Stan were 4-0 up when Hornsby sent a diagonal ball into the box which Anderson headed down allowing Sayer to shoot into the home net. Despite the scoreline, both teams continued to try to attack & the rest of the 2nd half saw the Stan stepping up a gear again. In 76 minutes, sub Burn shot over. A long ball to sub Greenwood in the box some him turn a dfender but the keeper blocked his shot & also his rebound shot. A Stan long range effort in 83 minutes was deflected over the bar by the home keeper for a corner. A rare attack by North Shields in 90 minutes resulted ina  corner from which the ball was easily caufght by Brass. The match ended with the Stan attacking again.

Although the 2nd half was a more even affair than the 1st, the Stan had a comfortable win in front of the Daren Persson Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season (537). They adapted their tactics well to take account of the bumpy pitch & as a result continue to march up the table having won their last 3 games & with games in hand. The Stan, & a coach load of the Stan Army, travel on Saturday to Cumbria to take on Carlisle City.

Kevin Mochrie

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Seaham Red Star vs Heaton Stannington

The night before the much anticipated Sunderland v Newcastle FA cup tie, the Stan travelled to Seaham for the 1st Wearside v Tyneside match of the weekend. Both teams were up for it especially given the lack of matches over the last 2 months due to weather induced postponements. There was plenty of action, especially in the 1st half, & it was the hard working Stan who deservedly came away with the 3 points. There were 4 changes from the Stan’s last match on 23 December, a 3-2 home win over Penrith. Brass, who took ill pre-match, Hornsby, Stephenson & Greenwood were replaced by Corkhill, Sayer, Slaughter & Lashley.

On a surprisingly pleasant evening, given that most other matches were postponed, both teams started positively with the Stan shooting over the Seaham bar in the 2nd minute. Sayer then had a shot deflected but a bye kick was given. Red Star got their 1st attack in 4 minutes, but the Stan defence easily dealt with it. There was more Seaham pressure for 3 minutes ending with a good clearance by Turnbull. It was the Stan though who scored in the 9th minute. Lamb advanced but was blocked in front of the right corner flag although he managed to get the ball back to Evans behind him who sent a fantastic cross into the busy box for Carr to head confidently into the net. The goal spurred on both teams although the Stan were getting more attacks in than their hosts. Hopper made a great run forward in 19 minutes, but Lamb couldn’t get on the end of his pass. In 23 minutes, Seaham shot over from close range. It was end to end now as things heated up. In 31 minutes, a Red Star free kick was deflected for a corner from which they headed into the Stan net for the equaliser. In 34 minutes, Lamb was brought down & the resulting free kick was sent into the box, but Scott’s header was caught by the home keeper. Seaham countered but were blocked & the rebound shot from the edge of the box went just wide. Corkhill then sent the ball up the pitch & a mix up between the Seaham keeper, who was out of his box, & a defender allowed Lamb to collect the ball & walk it into an empty box then net to make it 2-1 to the Stan in 35 minutes. In 38 minutes, after some good work by Lashley, Hopper sent the ball into the box but it was caught by the home keeper. It was now one way traffic as the Stan continued to keep the pressure on the Seaham defence. In 43 minutes, a Lashley free kick into the home box was cleared &, supplied by Hopper & Reid, Lamb had a shot cleared. Evans then supplied Hopper who sent the ball across the edge of the home box but Lashley’s long range effort went well over. The half ended loudly, thanks to the very vocal home manager, who was booked, & his little helper in his Santa hat.

Red Star started the 2nd half on the attack as they knew they could still take something from this match. Both teams were trying to attack but with no clear end product. Hopper made a great run & cross in 54 minutes, but the ball was cleared. Red Star then sent a ball into the Stan box which was blocked with the rebound shot going just over the bar. In 57 minutes, Corkhill parried the ball from a Seaham free kick then caught the rebound shot. There was more Seaham pressure & a long range effort went just wide in 61 minutes. 2 minutes later & Corkhill had to get down to make a save. The Stan then had some pressure including in 66 minutes when a sub Stephenson free kick was deflected by the wall but went just wide for a corner. The ball from the corner was cleared & Lamb’s rebound shot went wide. 2 minutes later Carr’s shot in a busy Seaham box was blocked with Evans then shooting just wide. A Red Star attack was then cleared followed by Corkhill getting down to easily catch another home effort. The end-to-end action continued but the teams were cancelling each other out. There was some late Red Star pressure as they frantically sought an equaliser, but the Stan held on & actually still tried to get forward when they could as the referee blew the final whistle in the 96th minute.

The 2nd half was quieter overall than the 1st half & also goalless. It wasn’t helped by the rain which started in 60 minutes. The Stan got an important win but had to work hard for it during a competitive game. They are now back on Tyneside on Wednesday but away again at North Shields.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Penrith

Two days before Christmas, the Stan players & fans got an early present (or late if you count the 88th minute winning goal) when the weather finally allowed a home game to be played for the 1st time since 24 October. The conditions though were blustery and wet although the fans were provided with an entertaining match especially in the second half which saw the Stan deservedly put in a great shift to get a late winner. The Stan’s last match was a controversial away defeat at Penrith & it was the same team that made the long trip from Cumberland today There were changes from that match with Flynn, Doyle, Anderson & Burn replaced by Brass, Evans, Hopper & Ryan Carr who made his debut. Nathan Greenwood was making his home debut.

Both teams started lively but it was the Stan who had most of the ball & all of the attacks until Penrith had a free kick deflected for a corner in 9 minutes. 2 minutes later, Penrith shot across the Stan goal but there was no danger for Brass. There was then a long ball sent up the advancing Greenwood, but it was going too fast for him to intercept. Penrith then got another corner which was cleared. With both teams trying to advance, it was Penrith who scored 1st in 17 minutes when 2 Stan defenders tried to shield the ball as it went back to Brass but the Penrith player trailing behind them managed to stretch his foot past them & poke the ball past Brass & into the net. The Stan had an attack cleared in 18 minutes & 3 minutes later a Penrith ball went across the Stan goal, but it was missed by everyone. The ball was sent back in but was easily caught by Brass. A minute later & the Penrith keeper caught a Stan ball but put it over the line for a corner. From the resulting 23rd minute corner, Stephenson sent the ball into the box & Scott rose above everyone else to head into the net for 1-1. A minute later & Lamb ran down the right & in towards the box but his ball across it was missed by everyone. A Greenwood shot was then deflected for a corner which then saw Penrith having to clear 3 times. In 31 minutes, Turnbull cleared a Penrith corner before the ball was cleared another twice. Although there was now a quieter period, partly due to the poor weather, Penrith had attacks cleared in 32 & 36 minutes & had a corner cleared in 38 minutes. In 41 minutes, Penrith sent a shot high & over. After a quieter spell, the Stan finished the half with 2 efforts although one went wide & over & the other was blocked.

Shepherd replaced Greenwood for the 2nd half which was going to prove to be livelier than the 1st.although the 1st 5 minutes were relatively quiet. This changed in 51 minutes when the Stan went 2-1 up. An Evans counterattack had seen him brought down on the right in line with the edge of the Penrith penalty box. Stephenson sent the ball from the resulting free kick into the Penrith box & it was confidently headed into the net by Carr. The Stan continued to keep the pressure on but Penrith were also trying to attack when they could. There was a long quieter period although the Penrith approach was getting more physical as they realised that time was running out. In 75 minutes, the ball was sent up to Lamb who made a good run & even though he was blocked by 2 defenders on the edge of the box he managed to get the ball back but was then blocked again by them & the keeper. In 78 minutes, Brass sent a long ball up to Reid who passed to Lamb who then twisted past 1 player before another deflected the ball out for a corner. From the corner by Stephenson, Carr headed onto the underside of the bar followed by it being cleared off the line by a Penrith defender. In 81 minutes, a Penrith long range effort went just wide. In 86 minutes, another long-range effort was put out for a corner. The ball from the corner was sent straight into the net to make the score 2-2 with only a few minutes to go. The Stan were not going to settle for a draw & in 88 minutes they were 3-2 up. A joined-up Stan attack saw Hornsby send the ball into the box to Hopper who was blocked but managed to send the ball over to the right side of the box & it was sent back towards the goal allowing Carr to blast it into the net. The Stan made 3 late substitutions as 5 added minutes began. It was mainly pressure by the Stan until a 96th minute Penrith corner was cleared followed immediately by the final whistle.

It was a hard won, but deserved & important win for the Stan who brought lots of Christmas cheer to the Stan Army. It was a particularly memorable day for debutant Ryan Carr who scored 2 goals & was awarded man of the match.

Kevin Mochrie

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