Competition: Northern Premier League East
7:45 pm 
Bradford Park Avenue vs Heaton Stannington
Fifteen days since the Stan’s narrow Trophy defeat, they returned to the Horsfall Stadium in league action but this time without the backdrop of a massive storm. They came away with a deserved point but could have taken all three in a competitive match against promotion chasing Bradford Park Avenue. The Stan are now unbeaten in six league games. There were two changes from Wednesday’s draw with Newton Aycliffe with Beattie & Robson replacing Stephenson & Walker.
After a relatively quiet start, Gordon made a great save in the seventh minute with the rebound shot hitting the side netting. The Stan then broke forward but Hopper’s shot was easily collected by the keeper. A home player then broke forward & forced another save from Gordon. In fourteen minutes, a ball from a Stan corner was headed towards goal by Robson but was cleared off the Bradford goal line. After twenty minutes, a ball from a Bradford free kick went high and just wide. In twenty-six minutes, a cross into the Stan box saw a home player shoot but his effort was stopped by Gordon who got down to save. The Stan countered & Slaughter sent a great long ball to the advancing Errington who passed to the also advancing Payne who passed back to Errington, but his shot was blocked by the keeper for a corner. In thirty-four minutes, a Slaughter ball into the home box saw Capewell flattened by a home player as he was about to make contact with the ball but the referee waved play on. In forty-three minutes, a Slaughter free kick from the edge of the Bradford box hit the wall and was cleared. The Stan had slightly the better chances in the first half but it remained 0-0 at half time.
The 2nd half was a quieter affair but both defences still had to be on their guard although there were far fewer clear chances for either side compared to in the first half. In fifty-four minutes, a long ball from Slaughter into the Bradford box was caught by the home keeper. In sixty-four minutes, Gordon had to get down to save. Nine minutes later & a Stan attack was cleared. There was nothing much else to report until added time when Bradford stepped up a gear to an extent although Gordon easily caught the first home effort and the second shot went wide.
This important point, & a third clean sheet in a row, sees the Stan in tenth place & both six points above the relegation zone & six points from a play-off placing. Dan Capewell was voted man of the match although all five defenders put in a great shift. The Stan are next in action on Wednesday night when they host Bridlington Town.
Stan Team: Gordon; Beattie; Robson; Capewell; Shepherd; Payne (Burn 57); Slaughter (Storey 68); Pearson; Hopper (Adamson 79); Errington (Lamb 73). Sub not used: Blakey. No cards. Attendance 360. MoM: Dan Capewell.
Kevin Mochrie
3:00 pm Heaton Stannington vs Newton Aycliffe
After 15 days short of a year since the last time that they had done so, the Stan drew 0-0 at home to share the points with Newton Aycliffe. They had come close to scoring in the 1st half while the visitors had only 1 clear effort on goal. In the 2nd half, Newton Aycliffe got back into the game but both teams ultimately cancelled each other out. There were no changes from Saturday’s win over Bishop Auckland.
On a pleasant autumn afternoon, both teams started positively although there was nothing to report in the 1st 15 minutes apart from 2 flags up against the Stan for offside. After 15 minutes, a Stephenson free kick into the Aycliffe box was headed clear. Most of the action had so far been in the visitors’ half. In 18 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was cleared out to Slaughter whose blasted shot hit a defender & was cleared. Payne then had a shot cleared & 2 minutes later a sustained Stan attack ended with the ball going wide. Another Stan attack was then cleared followed by a Hopper ball across the box which was too fast for everyone else & although it was sent back in the Aycliffe keeper easily caught it. After 27 minutes, Gordon made a low save from an Aycliffe effort. In 28 minutes, a long ball from Gordon saw the visiting keeper just get to it before a Stan player. Soon after a Slaughter long throw into the box was headed clear. The ball was sent back in, but the keeper caught it from a Payne effort. In 30 minutes, a Stephenson long ball into the box saw a glancing header from Pearson but his great effort went just wide of the post. Soon after there was a sustained joined up Stan attack which was cleared for a corner from which Slaughter blasted the ball over the bar. It was still mainly all Stan after 33 minutes when Pearson broke but was blocked. There was still no threat from Aycliffe & in 39 minutes Hopper blasted a shot wide. The Stan kept attacking but the half ended 0-0.
A minute into the 2nd half during a Stan attack, although the ball bounced awkwardly the Aycliffe keeper just managed to get to it before a Stan player did. In 51 minutes, Aycliffe broke but Gordon made a great save. The Aycliffe pressure continued & after a 2nd corner Gordon got down to catch. Aycliffe then had a corner which hit off Gordon & avoided crossing the line. In 56 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was cleared & his follow up shot was blocked. After another Stan attack was blocked, Gordon had to easily catch in 59 minutes followed by another Stan attack being cleared. In 63 minutes, Errington shot wide & the next 4 minutes saw 2 more Stan attacks although they came to nothing. There was some sustained Aycliffe pressure after 72 minutes that apart from man of the match Shepherd having to head clear came to nothing. In 75 minutes, after a Pearson advance was blocked, Stephenson sent a ball into the Aycliffe box for Pearson, but it was headed clear. Soon after, a long ball to Pearson saw him advance again but the advancing keeper got out to save his shot. From the resulting throw in, Capewell headed wide. A ball was then sent up to the advancing Stepheson, but his deflected shot hit the side netting. 2 minutes later & sub Lamb advanced & passed to Evans but the ball was deflected for a corner which was subsequently cleared. It was all Stan again now, but the Aycliffe defence were dealing with the pressure. In 87 minutes, Aycliffe had the ball in the net, but the offside flag was already up. An Aycliffe ball then went across the Stan box, but it was too fast for everyone. Into 7 minutes of added time & a Stephenson free kick into a packed Aycliffe box was cleared. In 94 minutes, Walkers sent a ball into Pearson in the Aycliffe box, but the keeper got to it 1st. Aycliffe then had an attack blocked twice resulting in a corner from which Gordon got up to catch the ball. In 96 minutes, Gordon got up to clear & a minute later he easily caught the ball. He then sent a long ball up to Pearson but him & the keeper collided with each other. The final whistle went soon after to confirm a stalemate.
A 2nd clean sheet in a row for the Stan who are undefeated in 5 league game but although they threatened, they failed to score at home for the 1st time this season. The Stan remain in the top half of the table at 10th while Newton Aycliffe remain 20th. The Stan travel on Saturday to Bradford Park Avenue for the 2nd time in 15 days.
Stan Team: Gordon; Evans (Y); Stephenson; Payne (Robson 71); Capewell; Shepherd; Hopper (Lamb 71); Slaughter; Pearson (Y); Walker; Errington. Sub not used: Storey; Beattie; Adamson. Attendance 361. MoM: Joe Shepherd.
Kevin Mochrie
Photo Gallery
0 vs 0 
Heaton Stannington vs Bishop Auckland
After a wait of 47 days, the Stan return to home league action a day before the 90th anniversary of the 1st ever match at Willow Park, formerly known as both Newton Park & Grounsell Park. The only statistics that really matter though are that the Stan achieved 3 points, a clean sheet & are now up to 9th in the league. There was sad news though as Stan legend Harry the dog passed away yesterday although the Stan Army all had great memories of him & his flag stood proud at the far corner. There were no changes from Tuesday night’s historic win at Blyth Spartans & Dan Capewell was making his 50th start for the club.
On a beautiful afternoon, 639 fans turned up to watch the Stan host old foes Bishop Auckland. Most of the early action was in the Bishop box & after 6 minutes, Payne advanced down the left & supplied Errington who passed towards Hopper, but he just missed connecting with the ball. 5 minutes later & the Bishop keeper got down to save from Hopper. Soon after, Errington beat a player but his effort was headed clear. In 14 minutes, a Stan attack was cleared in the Bishop box. This was followed by another joined up Stan attack which eventually saw a ball from Errington going out of play. In 17 minutes, Hopper broke forward & supplied Pearson who was blocked for a corner. The 1st Bishop effort came in 20 minutes when Gordon had to catch. This was followed by a Bishop player heading over the Stan bar from a long throw. In 23 minutes, an Errington cross was deflected high by a defender & the Bishop keeper then managed to catch the ball. Soon after Walker broke but was offside. In 26 minutes, a Hopper header was blocked & although the ball went back in the move finished with Walker blasting the ball over the bar when he should have scored. A Hopper high cross into the box was then cleared. Almost immediately after, a loose Bishop ball allowed Hopper to tribble forward with the ball but his shot was well over. Gordon then had to clear twice but the Stan were in control of the game & the expected opening goal came in the 31st minute. A Slaughter long throw was headed on across the Bishop goal by Payne to Pearson on the right & he headed it into the top right corner. A minute later & the Stan attacked again. From the resulting corner the ball was initially cleared & although it was sent back in the Bishop keeper caught it. In 34 minutes, the Stan sent a long high ball up to Hopper but although both Hopper & the keeper got up for it, neither made contact & the ball landed in front of Pearson who blasted it into the net for 2-0. In 36 minutes, a sustained Stan attack eventually saw the ball headed outwards to Stephenson, but his shot was easily caught by the keeper. In 42 minutes, Errington won the ball & broke & although he was fouled, it was given against him. In 44 minutes, Shepherd could not get a touch on a ball into the Bishop box from a Stephenson corner. The half ended with the Stan in control & 2-0 up although the defence had worked well when required.
The 2nd half was a quieter & goalless affair although the Stan continued to play well & Bishop failed to make much of a threat. In 47 minutes, a Stan corner was cleared & 2 minutes a later a Stan ball went over the Bishop bar. It was all Stan until 51 minutes when a Bishop free kick was easily caught by Gordon. The ball was then sent up the other end with Pearson breaking & he made a good shot but the keeper made himself big & got a foot to it. Walker then shot wide as the Stan kept the pressure on. It was mainly 1 way traffic & Gordon wasn’t tested again until he had to catch twice after 68 minutes. In 74 minutes, Gordon got down to easily stop a long range Bishop effort. Walker then dribbled into the Bishop box & passed to Pearson but his pass was intercepted. Payne then recovered the ball but eventually lost it. Walker then advanced again & eventually passed to Hopper who made a great shot but the keeper somehow put the ball over the bar. From the resulting Stephenson corner, Capewell was fouled but nothing was given. The ball was then sent up towards the Stan goal but Gordon cleared. In 81 minutes, from another Stephenson corner, Hopper headed just wide. The Stan then shot just over. 3 minutes later & SDhepherd had to head clear followed bya Bishop player shooting just over. In 86 minutes, sub Beattie advanced into the Bishop box & was brought down but nothing was given. In the last minute, Gordon made a good save. Into 4 minutes of added time & sub Lamb sent a curving shot just wide. He was then blocked before sub Adamson also advanced into the Bishop box & was blocked just before the final whistle.
It was a comfortable, confident & very watchable victory from the Stan & unlike on Tuesday night there was no late wobble. The Stan are now unbeaten in 5 league matches & continue to move up the league. Unfortunately for Bishop Auckland, who were a shadow of themselves compared to last season, they now sit at the bottom of the table. The Stan host another County Durham team on Wednesday when Newton Aycliffe are the visitors.
Kevin Mochrie
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2 vs 0 
Blyth Spartans vs Heaton Stannington
After a wait of 45 years, the Stan got only their 2nd win over Blyth Spartans on their 9th meeting but it was the 1st time that the 2 teams had met on league duty. It was a game of contrasts as the Stan romped to a 4-0 lead playing some of the best football that the Stan Army have seen them play under the management of Dean Nicolson & his assistant Andy McBride who have just signed contracts keeping them at the club until at least the end of next season. The last 20 minutes though saw a different performance as the Spartans came back into the game scoring 3 goals. More importantly though the Stan held on to get a historic & important win. There were 3 changes from Friday’s narrow Trophy defeat at Bradford Park Avenue with Gordon, Evans & Errington replacing Flynn, Beattie & Adamson.
A pleasant evening, in sharp contrast to the stormy conditions faced by the Stan on Friday, saw both teams trying to attack from the start. The Stan were looking positive & this paid off in 11 minutes when Stephenson crossed the ball into the home box & Hopper headed it into the net. The Stan kept attacking & in 18 minutes they were 2-0 up when a long ball to the advancing Errington saw him confidently slot the ball past the home keeper Baker. In 21 minutes, Baker caught the ball from a Shepherd headed effort. The Stan were looking comfortable while Spartans were not looking threatening. In 32 minutes, a Pearson counterattack saw him pass to Stephenson who was brought down just outside the box. The resulting Stephenson free kick went just wide but was deflected back to Slaughter who blasted the ball wide. In 38 minutes, the Stan were 3-0 up when a ball into the home box was deflected to Pearson on the left who blasted the ball into the net. In 40 minutes, Gordon got out to clear a Blyth break. In 41 minutes, an Errington cross was just missed in the centre of the 6 yard box by an advancing Pearson. 2 minutes later & Blyth shot through a busty Stan box & the ball was put out for a corner. From it, Gordon punched the ball out & it was then blasted over the bar by a Blyth player when he should have scored. The Stan kept attacking but the half ended still 3-0 with the Spartans looking like rabbits in headlights compared to the professional looking Stan although this was to change later in the 2nd half.
Blyth started the 2nd half on the attack but on 48 minutes Baker had to catch a headed effort from Errington. The joined-up Stan attacks continued & in 51 minutes a Stephenson shot was blocked. In 53 minutes, Pearson broke forward & supplied the advancing Payne who was brought down in the box but as the referee didn’t stop play, he managed while still on the ground to kick the ball into the open net to make it 4-0. In the aftermath, Spartans’ Slocombe was red carded for dissent. The Stan took advantage of the extra man & kept attacking. In 56 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was headed clear but was sent back in & the move ended with Pearson putting the ball over the bar. In 60 minutes, Pearson replaced Slaughter & 2 minutes later Stephenson passed to Pearson who put the ball in the Spartans net but the flag was up. In 63 minutes, a rare Blyth attack saw a corner cleared. There were 2 more Stan substitutions in 64 minutes followed by another joined up Stan attack. In 67 minutes, Spartans shot high & wide followed by a 4th & final Stan substitution. 2 minutes later, a Spartans free kick just outside the side of the Stan box ended with a penalty being awarded for a foul on a player. The Spartans 70th minute penalty hit the underside of the bar but then went into the net. Milburn was then sent off for dissent. Gordon had to get down to save in the 75th minute. A minute later a Blyth free kick at the edge of the box went straight across the goal & out when a home player should have connected with it. In 80 minutes, a Blyth attack saw the ball go into the busy Stan box & was put into the net at the right post. A minute later & an Errington speculative shot from outside the box goes went just wide. Adamson then broke through but Baker got to the ball 1st. In 82 minutes, a long range Spartans shot forced a great stretching save from Gordon. From the resulting corner, the ball was eventually cleared. In 84 minutes, Errington broke & passed towards the advancing Storey but Baker got out to clear the ball 1st. In 86 minutes, a Blyth corners saw Gordon punch the ball clear & it went back in forcing a great save from him but he could not hold onto the ball & it was slotted into the net to reduce the Stan lead to 1 goal. The last few minutes were nerve racking for the Stan Army starting in the 88th when Gordon blocked a Spartan player from shooting. The ball from the resulting corner was eventually cleared by Stephenson who sent it long to Storey but Baker blocked his shot. The Spartans countered & won a corner. From it the ball was scrambled clear & resulted in another corner which ended with Spartans shooting just wide. Into 4 added minutes & Gordon caught a Blyth effort followed by an Adamson shot at the other end being cleared. In 92 minutes, a long high ball into the Stan box was punched clear by Gordon for a corner. From it, the ball was initially cleared but a follow up Spartans shot hit the Stan post. The Stan were just hanging onto their lead although after a Stan attack the referee blew the final whistle to the relief of the Stan Army.
Despite a very nervous finish, the Stan deservedly took all 3 points. They have jumped up to 11th place while Spartans are 18th & only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. The Stan now host Bishop Auckland on Saturday.
Kevin Mochrie
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3 vs 4 Pontefract Collieries vs Heaton Stannington
The Stan had to settle for a point at Pontefract, despite having a two-goal lead twice in the game.
It was the home side who had the first chance of the match on 4 minutes, beginning with a long kick forward by the goalkeeper which bounced over a leaping Stan defender, flicked on by a forward into the path of a Pontefract player out on the left who drilled a shot low but straight into the hands of Alfie Gordon.
Less than a minute later, the Stan were gifted an opportunity to take the lead when Pearson was tripped in the box, following a Dan Stephenson free kick from just inside the Pontefract half. Reliable as ever from the spot, Leighton Hopper calmly dispatched the kick after a short run-up.
After the home side failed to make the most of a sustained spell of pressure, the Stan punished them by adding their second goal on 18 minutes. Once again, a Dan Stephenson free kick from deep caused mischief, pinballed around the box with Pontefract having to make several clearances, but they could only watch when Alex Payne surged into the area to seize upon a loose ball. One touch to control, another to rifle it low into the bottom corner.
Having been thumped 7-1 earlier in the week, Pontefract will have been keen to avoid a repeat and rallied to get a grip on the game before half time. Alex Metcalfe pulled them back into the contest just after the half hour mark, on the receiving end of a knockdown following a short cross from the right, finishing with a powerful swerving lash.
The Stan went in search of a goal to restore their lead before half time, with Alex Payne looking to double his tally for the day after receiving the ball 25 yards out from a flick-on, getting to the edge of the box and driving a low shot just past the far post.
With just one minute of the half remaining, Dan Stephenson had a free kick from the edge of the area brilliantly pushed against the post by the Pontefract goalkeeper, but Jay Errington was on hand at the back post to tuck in the rebound for his first goal of the season.
Pontefract piled on the pressure and having seen efforts saved by Gordon and blocked by Stan defenders, they cut their deficit in half on 52 minutes when a free kick from out wide was flicked into the area by a Stan head, giving Jack Greenhough a free header to plant past the keeper.
And by the 77th minute, Pontefract had drawn level, albeit in controversial circumstances. After a Stan attack broke down, they countered quickly and sent three blue shirts forward against four in yellow. A through ball evaded the Stan back line, appearing to be headed for a player in an offside position, and although he was running towards the ball, he allowed it to run across him and into Harry Spratt to his left who arrived from behind the defensive line to get a shot off, blocked, but then followed in on the rebound.
A tough one to take, having looked good for three points for long spells in the game, but it capped an unbeaten September, with one league win, two cup wins and two league draws.
Liam Milburn
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3 vs 3 Ossett United vs Heaton Stannington
A frustrating night at Ossett United’s Ingfield Stadium saw the Stan pick up a point, in a game that will only be remembered for dubious decisions and moments of controversy when reflected back upon in years to come.
Alfie Gordon started in goal for the first time, having signed from Bishop Auckland earlier in the day, and although perhaps not kept too busy, what he was called upon to do was done well and earned him the man of the match award on his debut.
Ossett had the game’s first chances, with one corner scrambled away by the Stan defence on 13 minutes, and then an effort from the left hand side of the penalty area whistling past the far post a minute later.
The Stan’s first opportunity, and perhaps best chance of the whole game, arrived on 17 minutes when Dale Pearson slipped a ball through the Ossett backline into the path of Konner Lamb, who was closed down quickly by the keeper Petrovic before his shot could do any real damage.
Another chance came along a few minutes later, this time Pearson on the receiving end of a long diagonal ball from Slaughter on the halfway line. The striker surged into the left flank, controlled the ball and headed for goal but again Petrovic came out to stop.
Ossett were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area midway into the first half which was curled ever-so-slightly wide.
Alfie Gordon was called into serious action for the first time just after the restart. An Ossett player got onto the end of a neat flick-on inside the area, got to the by-line and tried to drive the ball into danger, but Gordon got down to prevent an opportunity to tap into an empty net.
Ben Milburn found himself with an opportunity in a similar position at the other end after good work to beat a defender. He cut in from the right and shaped up a shot with his left, not enough power or precision to trouble Petrovic.
Midway into the second half, the Stan were reduced to ten men. Joe Robson had already been the recipient of one of the game’s 11 yellow cards, but received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.
Despite a man disadvantage, the Stan battled valiantly and almost carved out an unlikely lead on 69 minutes when Leighton Hopper slung a ball in from the left, with Jay Errington just a fraction away from making a connection and stabbing it home.
A back-and-forth ensued with both sides desperately trying to get ahead, with both goalkeepers busy. Gordon took the sting out a long range effort, gathering at the second attempt, and moments later at the other end, Petrovic got down low to stop a fairly tame effort, flicked on from a deep Stan free kick.
To take a point from a game where it felt at points that the odds were simply stacked against them will have ultimately been positive for Dean Nicholson and his men, even if it felt wounding at parts.
The Stan return to Ingfield in just four days time when they face Pontefract Collieries, who are currently ground sharing with Ossett while refurbishment work takes place at their Beechnut Lane home 15 miles away.
Liam Milburn
0 vs 0 Brighouse Town vs Heaton Stannington
The Stan have secured their first away win of the season, coming from behind to beat Brighouse 3-1.
Dean Nicholson’s men – wearing white shorts alongside their new Hummel home shirts – started brightly with Connor Walker having a shot blocked inside the first 60 seconds, followed by a missed swing at the ball by Bailey Adamson, then an attempted pile-driver by Dan Stephenson which was blocked before it could test the home keeper.
Moments later the pressure continued, as a quick Stan attack saw Stephenson drive into the box from left back, receiving the ball and shooting first time with his effort stopped by a defender.
The momentum in the first quarter of the match was all with the away side in a dominant spell where the opening goal looked inevitable – just a matter of time – but the balance started to swing midway through the half, and the home side registered their first effort on goal when Slaughter gave the ball away in midfield and Nathan Curtis tried to catch Stan goalkeeper Tom Flynn off his line. One of the better efforts from halfway but no real danger.
The home side’s confidence continued to grow, and on 37 minutes, they opened the scoring. A high ball from the back was flicked on into the right channel, the winger got to the by-line and squared for Kane Richardson to tap in at the back post.
Brighouse almost made the Stan task more difficult just before the break with Romario Dunne flashing a powerful effort wide before the break. With the whistle about to blow for half time, Alex Payne cracked the post on his first league start of the season.
Whatever was said by Dean, Andy and the returning Nick Cassidy at half time clearly made an impact as the Stan came out swinging, and could’ve had a swift response on 49 minutes when an inviting ball from Max Storey on the right was directed towards goal by the head of Leighton Hopper, forcing the Brighouse keeper Acquah into a brilliant close range save.
Hopper and Storey combined again seven minutes later, this time Leighton sending the ball in for Max who controlled it and put it into the six yard box for Payne, blocked by the defender.
On 65 minutes, finally a breakthrough for the Stan and a first goal in Stan colours for Ben Milburn. Dan Stephenson sent in a wicked ball from a corner, and Milburn met it in the six yard box with a thunderous half volley into the top corner.
Fifteen minutes later, another Stephenson corner produced another goal, this time not quite as photogenic as the ball pinballed around the six yard box before finally being prodded in by Alex Payne, also scoring in black and white for the very first time.
The game was wrapped up with five minutes of normal time remaining in some style. Substitute Konner Lamb was dragged back on his way towards goal, which allowed Richie Slaughter a chance to take a free kick midway into the Brighouse half. The Stan skipper spotted Lamb ahead of him with just one man marking him and sent the ball forward straight to feet. A defender to Konner’s left sensed the danger and joined his teammate, but Lamb took glee in using his first touch to control, and his second to get between the pair of them, firing into the far top corner with his third from the edge of the area.
A deserved three points on the road, and back to back wins in all competitions following the visit of Emley eight days ago. Attention now turns back to the FA Trophy where Newton Aycliffe are the visitors in the 2nd Qualifying Round next Saturday.
Liam Milburn
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1 vs 3 Heaton Stannington vs Consett
After a solid performance & an important away point at North Ferriby, it was a bad day at the office as the Stan lost 5-1 to Consett. Last season the Stan drew twice with the team from the former steel town, but they were not able to repeat the achievements or steal a win as they were thrown into the furnace with a 5-1 defeat. There was 1 change from the draw at North Ferriby 2 days earlier with Burn replacing Milburn.
The match was played in hot & sunny conditions on a bank holiday Monday unlike the last time the 2 teams met on New Years’ at Belle Vue in a blizzard. It started with a Stan corner being headed clear in the 4th minute. Consett counter attacked forcing Brass to block the 1st shot from a cross but the rebound effort from the 6-yard box was put into the net by Todd. Consett were blocked in the box 2 minutes later followed by a Stan free kick being headed on, but the ball was caught by the Consett keeper, Moss. Things got worse in the 8th minute when a Consett attack saw Ramsey force the ball into the net for 0-2. Groves blasted over the visitors’ goal 2 minutes later followed by Brass having to punch clear at the other end. In the 14th minute another Groves ball went wide but 4 minutes later the Stan got a goal back when a Beattie header hit the bar & Hopper headed the rebound into the net. There was some Consett pressure in the 19th minute which Robson & Slaughter dealt with & 3 minutes later Robson had to head clear from a Consett free kick. The Stan then had 3 efforts which were all blocked & a 4th went wide. In the 26th minute, a Beattie free kick hit the far post when it looked like it was going into the net. Consett counter attacked but Brass got down to block before the Stan advanced again ending with a ball from the resulting corner being headed clear. The Stan went 2 goals behind again in the 28th minute when, from a corner, the ball hit the far post & went into the net off a Stan defender. The Stan were still trying to attack but there was a quieter period until a Slaughter long ball saw Moss just get to it before Hopper. A ball from Errington in the 40th minute went right across the Consett goal, but no one could get to it. Moss in the Consett goal then made 2 easy catches followed by Brass also making an easy catch. In the 44th minute, the Stan nearly reduced the deficit when Hopper forced a corner. From Groves’s corner ball, Capewell’s header hit the post. Consett counter attacked but it came to nothing.
After a long period of injury, Lamb returned to action replacing Hopper at half time. He attacked right from the restart & was 1 on1 with the Consett keeper but Moss caught the ball at the 2nd attempt after it had hit off himself & Lamb. In 50 minutes, a Slaughter free kick into the Consett box was stopped twice. The Stan were having most of the possession in the 2nd half but the next effort came for Consett in the 56th minute when they shot well over. 2 minutes later the Consett keeper had to catch from a Stan effort as both teams tried to attack. In 63 minutes, an Errington long range blasted shot was caught by Moss. In 69 minutes, sub Stephenson had to clear off the line from a corner. 3 minutes later, Lamb had a shot blocked & Stephenson’s follow up long range effort was caught by Moss. He then had to clear a ball from sub Adamson. In 76 minutes, Brass made a great close range save. From the resulting corner though the Stan went 3 goals down with time running out. Capewell headed clear the initial ball from the corner & Slaughter cleared again but it went out to Daniels outside the box & he blasted the ball through the assembled players & into the net. Moss then got down to stop a sub Storey effort as the Stan tried to get back into the game. A Capewell ball was deflected wide, Moss got down to clear a Lamb effort & an Errington ball into the box was cleared. In 85 minutes, an Adamson ball was deflected for a corner & the ball from the resulting Stephenson corner was punched clear. In the 89th minute, Consett counter attacked & sub Armstrong confidently slotted the ball past Brass to make the afternoon even worse for the Stan Army.
It was an unusually large defeat for the Stan as they lost a competitive match at home for the 1st time since 8 March. A disjointed Stan did not look threatening for much of the match compared to a more clinical display from the visitors. The Stan are back in FA Cup action on Saturday as they continue to head towards Wembley but this time via the short trip to Scotswood to take on Newcastle Blue Star.
Kevin Mochrie
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1 vs 5 