Competition: Northern Premier League East

Matlock Town vs Heaton Stannington

For the 2nd time in 3 days, the Stan had a very long journey for an away league match. This time it was a Tuesday night 320-mile round trip to Matlock in Derbyshire. The Stan’s 1st trip there last season ended in victory but tonight saw the Stan’s biggest defeat of the season as they went down to three 1st half goals without reply. There were 3 changes from Saturday’s win at Beverley with Hester, Gell & Errington replacing Kanda, Gascoigne & Walker. After making his debut on Saturday from the bench & achieving an assist through his late free kick that led to a 1-0 win for the Stan, Sunderland loanee Bayley Hester got his 1st start tonight. As well as Adam Gell returning from injury, a fit Dan Capewell made his long-awaited return from the bench. After scoring the winner on Saturday after coming on as a sub, Jay Errington made his 50th start.

The Stan were 1st to threaten in the 4th minute when Giraud hit the side netting. Matlock shot wide after 10 minutes. They also shot well over the Stan bar in the 13th & 22 minutes as they put some pressure on the Stan. The Stan were a goal down in the 23rd minute when, from a corner, Walker headed into the Stan net at the back post. In the 32nd minute, a ball from a free kick into the Stan box went wide. In the 35th minute, a Matlock player shot just wide. 2 minutes later & a trip in the Stan box saw Matlock awarded a penalty. Abbey took the 38th minute penalty & sent the ball into the Stan net for 2-0 to Matlock. The Stan came close to scoring in the 40th minute but a last-minute tackle from a Matlock defender forced a corner instead. From the corner, Dewhurst in the home goal caught a Stan headed effort. Matlock were 3-0 up at half time courtesy of a 44th minute goal from Sault. A long ball from keeper Dewhurst was nodded on by Abbey to Sault who held off attempts to stop him by 2 Stan players & shot into the net.

After a poor 1st half, there were 3 changes by the Stan at half time as they introduced fresh legs to try & spark a revival with Hornsby, Capewell & Hopper replacing Hester, Chrisp & Errington. Hopper nearly started a comeback in the 53rd minute when, from a ball to him from a throw in, his shot hit the Matlock post & was then cleared. In 59 minutes, a Matlock acrobatic effort went wide. 5 minutes later & a Matlock player attempted to lob Lister, but he easily caught the effort. In 67 minutes, a Matlock attack saw the ball headed clear which sparked a Stan counterattack which was initially blocked. The ball was sent back in twice but on the 2nd occasion no one could make contact with the high ball across the Matlock goal. In 71 minutes, Matlock shot wide. The Stan were down to 10 men in the 81st minute when Hornsby brought down Giles & was red carded. Lister made a save in the 86th minute. There were 2 added minutes but the Stan were never really in the game.

So, it was a night to forget for the Stan as although they held Matlock at bay in the 2nd half, they were unable to bounce back from the 3 goals conceded in the 1st half. The Stan will attempt to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Ossett United. 

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Hester (Hornsby 46 (R)); Gell; Milburn (Y); Shepherd (Y); Savage; Chrisp (Y) (Capewell 46); Djalo (Enwere 69 (Y)); Giroud; Errington (Hopper 46). All subs used. Attendance: 460. Man of the Match: Dan Savage.   

Kevin Mochrie

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Beverley Town vs Heaton Stannington

For the first time ever, the Stan made the long trip to Beverley which is located just outside Hull. This is Beverley Town’s 1st season at Tier 4 & they started the day in 15th but only 4 points behind & with 3 games in hand over 7th placed Heaton Stannington. Known as the Beavers, Beverley had the better of a relatively actionless 1st half. The Stan had the better of the 2nd half, but it looked like the match was going to end in a stalemate until they burst the Beavers’ dam with a 91st minute winner. It was a great goal though & showed the Stans’ determination despite strong opposition & an ever-increasing injury list. There was one change from Tuesday night’s narrow defeat at Blyth Spartans with Ben Milburn, back from injury, replacing the injured Adam Gell. There was a debut from the bench, and an assist, for new loan signing from Sunderland Bayley Hester.

The match was played in very warm & dry conditions for early October as both the Stan team & the travelling Stan Army basked in the sunshine at a very friendly Norwood Park. The 1st action didn’t come until the 10th minute when a Beverley ball deflected off Milburn & went across the front of the Stan goal before going out for a corner. From it, the ball was cleared twice before Lister caught the ball from a 3rd effort. After 16 minutes, a Beverley ball from the left went across the edge of the Stan 6-yard box but was missed bye everyone. The play was still mainly in the Stan half & in the 19th minute a home attack was blocked twice. After a very quiet start by the Stan, their 1st effort on goal came in the 27th minute when Savage broke & shot diagonally under pressure from the right, but his effort went just wide of the left post. 2 minutes later a Beverley attack was blocked followed by Giraud breaking & supplying Djalo who was blocked. Soon after, Lister easily caught at the other end. Shepherd then sent a long ball to the advancing Giraud, but his shot was caught by Overton in the Beverley goal. Fil then stopped a Beverley attack. In 34 minutes, a Beverley corner was partially cleared before Lister easily caught the ball. A minute later and a Beverley attack was blocked. Soon after the home side shot well over the Stan bar from distance. In 39 minutes, a ball from a Beverely corner was cleared twice before a shot went over the Stan bar. In 41 minutes, the Stan had a rare attacking opportunity when, from a Giraud free kick, the ball went high into the box & was cleared off the Beverley goal line. Soon after, from a throw in, a Beverely shot saw Lister push the ball against the post & out for a corner. From the corner, a Beverley header was caught by Lister. 

With the 1st half being played mainly in the Stan’s half, the 2nd half was the opposite with most of the play being in the Beverley half & with the Stan shooting downhill. In the 47th minute, a Giraud ball into Djalo was blocked for a corner. 2 minutes later & a diagonal Beverley shot went just wide. In 51 minutes, a Beverley attack was cleared & 2 minutes after that they had a shot blocked with the follow up effort going just wide. In 55 minutes, an injury to Kanda saw him replaced by Hornsby. In 57 minutes, a ball from a Beverley corner was missed by everyone. After he had won a corner that had come to nothing, in 61 minutes Savage twisted & turned into the Beverley box, but he could not get his shot in. In 69 minutes, a Beverely free kick into the Stan box saw the ball headed out for a corner from which Beverley eventually headed wide. In 76 minutes, Hornsby had 2 balls into the home box blocked. The Stan then forced a corner from which Overton caught the ball. Beverely then counter attacked & the ball was blocked 3 times by the Stan defence. In 81 minutes, Lister had to get down to stop a long-range Beverley effort. This was followed by some good defending by man of the match Milburn. Beverely then had a diagonal shot stopped by a great save from Lister. Soon after, sub Errington was brought down & the resulting free kick by Gascoigne went just wide. Normal time ended with some more Stan pressure. In the 1st of 4 added minutes, after Djalo had been brought down, sub Hester on his debut sent a free kick into a packed home box & Errington tapped the ball into the net to give the Stan the lead. The Stan then attacked again & Errington shot just over the bar. Soon after, Lister got down to easily save followed by another home attack being cleared. The match ended with Beverley wining a corner which their keeper went up for, but the ball was headed out of play & the final whistle was blown to the delight of the celebrating Stan player & fans. 

After a relatively quiet match, the added time smash & grab goal meant that the Stan left with all 3 points & achieved their 1st away league win of the season at the 5th attempt. They are now 6th in the league & the late goal & win made the long journey home a very pleasurable one. This should be a good confidence builder ahead of an even longer journey on Tuesday night to Matlock Town. 

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Chrisp (Hopper 75); Kanda (Hornsby 55); Milburn (Y); Shepherd; Gascoigne; Walker; Djalo; Giroud (Errington 75); Savage (Hester 83). All subs used. Attendance: 505. Man of the Match: Ben Milburn.  

Kevin Mochrie

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Blyth Spartans vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan travelled to Croft Park to take on Blyth Spartans for only the 2nd time in league action. After winning at home on Saturday, the Stan started the match positively & took the lead, but they were unable to recover from losing defender Adam Gell early on & went on to narrowly lose. Although the Stan squad had been hit badly by injuries in recent weeks, there were no changes to the team that beat Grimsby Borough on Saturday. By the end of the match though the injury crisis had increased & the list now includes defenders Gell & Shepherd.

Spartans had the 1st effort of the match in the 5th minute, but this was easily stopped by Lister. After some sustained Stan pressure, they took the lead in the 13th minute when Giraud advanced on the left, beat a Blyth defender & shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. Six minutes later though, Spartans equalised from a corner when Vaulks scored. In 37 minutes, an injured Gell had to be replaced by Hornsby. The Stan lost their shape after this & did not seem the same or as positive after this moment. Spartans took advantage & equalised through Lanning in the 40th minute. 

A quieter 2nd half did see the Stan come close in the 59th minute when Giraud’s shot went just wide of the near post. In 80 minutes, Spartans counter attacked & a cross to an advancing player in the middle of the Stan box looked like the ball was going to be put into the net but Lister made himself big to stop the effort. There were 5 added minutes, but Spartans hung on for a narrow win.

So, there was no repeat of last season’s high scoring 4-3 win over Spartans & the Stan now need to bounce back on Saturday when they make their first ever visit to Beverley Town in East Yorkshire. On a positive note though, the Stan remain 7th in the league.

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Chrisp (Boothroyd 89); Gell (Hornsby 37); Kanda; Shepherd (Y) (Hopper 70); Gascoigne; Walker (Y); Djalo (Y) (Errington 73); Giroud; Savage. Sub unused: Morris. Attendance: 613. Man of the Match: Connor Walker.  

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Grimsby Borough

On a warm Saturday afternoon at home, The Stan picked up three points in their seventh fixture of the month. A disappointing midweek loss was soon forgotten when the whistle was blown, and minutes later The Stan were in the lead. 

The first phase of play saw Grimsby take the ball down the right, which resulted in a shot that went over the bar. The momentum quickly changed when Savage advanced up the right-hand side before passing it back to Fil, whose cross was blocked by the first defender. 

In the sixth minute, Giraud advanced up the left and crossed to Savage, who was unmarked and steered the ball towards Djalo, who found the back of the net. This was shortly followed by a corner from Gascoigne, which was played back to him from the middle of the box, and his cross caught the attackers offside. 

A cross from Djalo then went across the front of the goal; however, there was no one in the middle to capitalise on the chance. The missed opportunity was quickly forgotten when Walker passed to Djalo, who got round the defender and found himself one-on-one with the keeper. He made no mistake, and The Stan were now two-nil up after fifteen minutes. 

After The Stan solidified their lead, Grimsby went on an attack and won a free kick following a foul by Gell. The chance came to nothing, with the Stan winning a free kick thirty-five yards out moments later. Chrisp’s cross was caught by the keeper. 

In the following passage of play, Djalo won a corner. Walker struck the ball on the volley, and it was just wide. In the thirty-sixth minute, Chrisp whipped it in from the left and it was headed by Gascoigne; it hit the top of the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. Shortly after, Giraud took it down the left and squared the ball, but it was blocked by a defender. He was then pulled back by Bradley, who was the first in the book. 

Heading towards half-time, Gascoigne took a short corner to Giraud, who immediately returned the ball, and Gascoigne’s shot was just wide. In stoppage time, Gascoigne took another short corner, this time to Savage; there was a foul in the box and the keeper won a free kick. 

The Stan got off to a quick start in the second half, advancing through the centre and winning a free kick, which was immediately followed by another free kick – Grimsby’s Fleet received a yellow card, with this foul proving one too many. 

In the following passage of play, Savage was too late to connect with a volley and the keeper caught the ball. However, he won a corner moments later. In the seventy-second minute, Savage went off to be replaced by Hopper. Hopper then forced a defensive error and got himself past the defender, who then fouled him while he was through on goal. Drummond received a yellow card.

As the game approached the eightieth minute, The Stan found themselves on the break; Djalo’s through ball was intercepted by the defender. Boothroyd and Hornsby then came on to replace Djalo and Chrisp. Boothroyd made an immediate impact, taking down the left-hand side before passing it to Giraud, who shot it over the bar. 

A further short corner by Gascoigne went to Gell, who shot it straight along the ground towards the keeper. Minutes later, Giraud was replaced by Morris. 

The referee’s whistle was greeted by cheers from The Stan fans who put the losses to Dunston, Trafford and West Auckland behind them, and are now looking forward to the short away trip to Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night. 

Heaton Stan Team: Lister, Fil, Chrisp (Hornsby 82’), Gell, Kanda, Shepherd, Gascoigne, Walker, Djalo ⚽︎ (6’) ⚽︎ (15’) (Boothroyd 82’), Giraud (Morris 88’), Savage (Hopper 71’) Subs not used: Errington 

Grimsby Borough Team: Richardson, Bradley 🟨 (39’), Drummond 🟨 (72’) (Williams 85’), Wood (Yellow 54’), Walker, Graham, Ayris, Flett 🟨 (53’) (Clarke 68’), Clements (Wright 59’), Cribb, Ceesay 

Subs not used: Sawyer, Rogers 

Man of the Match: Sado Djalo 

Attendance: 464 

William Kirvan

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West Auckland Town vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan travelled to newly promoted West Auckland Town hoping, after 2 defeats in a row, to come away from County Durham with 3 points. Although West Auckland started the night in the relegation zone & the Stan were in a play off place, it was the home team who came out on top & the Stan Army left very disappointed & pointless. There were 4 changes from Saturday’s FA Cup home defeat to Trafford, with Chrisp, Gell, Djalo & Errington replacing Hornsby, Milburn, Walker & Hopper. There was a debut from the bench for loan signing Daniel Kemp who received the man of the match award for his wizardry on the wing in the 2nd half. 

After a quiet start, an Errington cross into the box was cleared in the 8th minute. Errington then supplied Savage who broke down the right & his diagonal shot went just left of the Auckland goal. In the 10th minute, Giraud broke & advanced under pressure, shooting from the edge of the home box but their keeper Bessent got down to save. Soon after, Chrisp cleared at the other end to Errington who sent a long ball to Djalo but he shot over the Auckland bar. After 12 minutes, Chrisp had a free kick cleared & 2 minutes later Bessent caught from another free kick. In the 15th minute, a 3-player Stan move ended with Errington one on one with Bessent & although he should have scored, he shot wide. In 17 minutes, a Savage shot was forced wide & although the ball went back in towards the home goal, Djalo’s follow up shot was blocked by Bessent. Another Stan effort was blocked a minute later. This 11-minute period of Stan action where they failed to convert a number of opportunities to score would come back to haunt them. After 20 minutes, the home side shot well wide. Both teams were now cancelling each other out but in 28 minutes West Auckland had their 1st proper chance to score & took it unlike the Stan earlier on. A ball was sent into the Stan box from the left & although Lister stretched forward to try & get it, he couldn’t get a hand to it allowing the advancing Jones to tap it into the net. In 32 minutes, the Stan were back level when a Fil cross from the right to Djalo saw his header hit the bar, but the ball then went off Bessent & into the net. There was an even period of play as both teams tried to attack but cancelled each other out. Just before the start of 2 added minutes, Giraud broke & supplied Djalo but Bessent caught the ball.

West Auckland started the 2nd half dangerously when an effort hit the post & went wide when it looked like the ball was going into the net. Both sides were trying to attack but it was the home side who went back in front in the 52nd minute when a speculative 35-yard shot by Jones went into the top left-hand corner of the Stan net. In 58 minutes, a home player broke forward & shot from the edge of the Stan box but his effort went wide when he should have scored. The Stan were looking disjointed so far in the 2nd half & in 60 minutes a home player broke but Fil blocked for a corner. From it, the ball was cleared twice in the Stan 6-yard box. In 63 minutes, Lister got up to catch from a home corner. In 64 minutes, West Auckland’s O’Gorman won the ball just outside the Stan box & blasted the ball into the net for 3-1 to the home side. The Stan did then try to attack & in 69 minutes a cross into Gascoigne saw his shot blocked & his follow up effort was caught by Bessent. Soon after, a home player broke & was tackled by Kanda. Another home player then got the ball but his shot was blocked for a corner. The Stan looked more dangerous after Hopper & Kemp joined the action in the 67th minute. For the next 20 minutes, most of the shots came from the Stan but they came to nothing. In 85 minutes, a West Auckland player shot just over from outside the box. A minute later a curving shot by Kemp was only stopped by a full stretch save by Bessent. The Stan kept pressing but even after 4 added minutes it was going to be too little too late.

After a good start when they should have been 2 or 3 up & equalising very quickly after going behind, the Stan never recovered from West Auckland’s two early 2nd half goals. On Saturday they are at home versus Grimsby Borough.

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Chrisp (Hornsby 58); Gell (Boothroyd 79); Kanda; Shepherd; Savage; Gascoigne; Djalo; Giroud (Y) (Kemp 67); Errington (Hopper 67). Sub unused: Morris. Attendance: 280. Man of the Match: Daniel Kemp.  

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Liversedge

After their fantastic 10-man 2nd half performance at Morpeth on Tuesday night, a makeshift injury hit Stan team hosted Liversidge. The visitors had been top of the league until the night before when Bradford Park Avenue took over the top spot. It was the Stan though who looked like the higher placed team as for most of the match they out played them & thoroughly deserved the win. There were 4 changes from Tuesday’s draw at Morpeth with Chrisp, Gell, Milburn & Errington replacing Evans, Hornsby, Shepherd & Pearson. There was a debut for Adam Gell who has signed on loan from Whitby Town. 

Liversidge started more dangerously & their 2nd attack in the 5th minute was only stopped by a great block by Lister. 2 minutes & a Stan free kick into the Liversidge box was cleared followed by Giraud sending the ball curving across the visitors’ goal but Hopper headed it just wide. In the 10th minute, Giraud broke into the Liversidge box but scuffed his shot & their keeper Porter easily caught the ball. Both teams were trying to attack but it was Giraud who again looked dangerous in the 15th minute, when he twisted & turned into the Liversidge box & passed to the advancing Fil on the right who shot into the net for 1-0. It was a great goal & Alex Fil’s 1st for the Stan. Soon after, a Giraud ball into Hopper in the Liversidge box saw him head just wide.. In 23 minutes, Giraud broke again but his shot from the edge of the box went just wide. Walker then advanced into the Liversidge box & passed to Gascoigne who was blocked. The ball went back to Giraud who advanced into the Liversidge box & was pulled back, just like Shepherd’s sending off on Tuesday, but nothing was given. In 26 minutes, a Milburn overhead kick went just wide. Errington broke in the 31st minute but the ball was put out for a corner. In 33 minutes, Giraud then advanced again & passed to Gascoigne whose shot from outside the box went just wide. After being relatively quiet for the last half hour, Liversidge had a sustained attack which saw the Stan having to block, clear, block twice, head clear twice before Lister collected the ball. In 41 minutes though the Stan extended their lead when a longball to Hopper from Lister saw him & not the defender get to the ball after it had bounced & this allowed him to move forward & confidently slot the ball past the keeper & into the Liversidge net for 2-0. In 45 minutes, an Errington long range effort was caught by Porter at the 2nd attempt. In the 3rd & last minute of added time, Errington had 2 shots blocked.

There was a quieter start to the 2nd half until the 53rd minute when a Giraud ball into the Liversidge box was put over the bar by Porter. In 56 minutes, Liversidge headed wide & 2 minutes later a Giraud shot forced a great save from Porter. In 63 minutes, Lister got down to save. In 72 minutes, Gascoigne broke & passed to Giraud on the bye line who laid on Hopper who was blocked in the 6-yard box & his effort went up & over the bar. In 78 minutes, a shot by Gascoigne was caught by Porter. In 80 minutes, Liversidge reduced the gap when Lister got down to save a shot but they put away the rebound effort. In 82 minutes, Gascoigne sent the ball across the front of the Liversedge goal, but Hopper’s glancing header went wide. In 83 minutes, sub Storey forced a corner from which the ball was cleared in the 6-yard box. 2 minutes later & Gell cleared at the other end for a corner. From it, the Stan countered but it came to nothing. Liversidge were now putting pressure on the Stan as they sought an equaliser. In 88 minutes though, Storey shot just wide. Into 4 minutes of added time, & Porter saved a shot from Chrisp. The match ended with a Stan attack but sub Boothroyd couldn’t get his shot in. 

Despite Liversidge getting a goal back with 10 minutes to goal, the Stan outplayed them for most of the match & after scoring first they always looked like they were going to win. So, the Stan deservedly took all 3 points & now sit 4th in the league. They are at home again in the league on Tuesday when they host local rivals & fellow play-off contenders Dunston.

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Chrisp (Hornsby 71); Gell; Milburn (Y); Kanda; Walker; Gascoigne; Hopper; Giroud (Boothroyd 88); Errington (Storey 62). Sub unused: Morris. Attendance: 364. Man of the Match: Alex Fil.

Kevin Mochrie

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Morpeth Town vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan visited newly relegated Morpeth Town, known as the Highwaymen, for the 1st time in league action since April 1994. It would have been daylight robbery if they had come away without at least the point especially after their 2nd half performance. Undeservedly down to 10 men after 36 minutes, the Stan not just held on but had more possession & were the better & more attacking team for much of the 2nd half. There were 2 changes from Saturday’s FA Cup win over Knaresborough with Evans & Hopper replacing Milburn & Djalo.

On a blustery autumnal evening, both teams were trying to attack but nothing much happened until the 6th minute when Kanda headed clear a Morpeth cross into the Stan box. In 9 minutes, the advancing Hopper shot over the Morpeth bar. Soon after, Lister had to get down at the other end to easily collect. Pearson then sent a cross into the Morpeth 6-yard box which was blocked & Evans’ follow up shot went wide. In 12 minutes, Morpeth forced a corner from which Hornsby cleared but the Stan break came to nothing. Morpeth then came very close when Chungh twisted & turned in the Stan box before his shot was put just wide by Lister. After some Morpeth pressure, a Hornsby ball into the Morpeth box was caught by their keeper Langley. Soon after, a Morpeth diagonal shot went just wide of the Stan goal. In the 20th minute, a ball from a Gascoigne free kick was headed out for a corner. From it, the ball was headed out. Giraud then made a run down the left & into the home box & his blasted shot was stopped by Langley. Morpeth countered & the move eventually ended with Shepherd putting the ball out for a corner. There was a quieter few minutes until Lister had to easily collect in 29 minutes. Soon after, he had to get up to catch. It was then the Stan who attacked through Giraud but his cross into the home box was missed by everyone. Gascoigne then advanced & passed to Pearson who crossed to Hopper in the box, but his shot was blocked by Langley. It was the closest the Stan had come to scoring. In 32 minutes, Giraud shot over the home bar. 3 minutes later an advancing Morpeth player only had Lister to beat but the Stan keeper made a great save. In 36 minutes, a Morpeth player broke again &, just outside the Stan box, Shepherd tugged his shirt once, but the referee overreacted & sent him off. The ball from the resulting free kick hit the bar & went over it. The Stan were still trying to attack but in 41 minutes a Morpeth cross into the Stan box saw the ball headed down & went just wide. Hopper then advanced & was brought down just outside the home box but nothing was given. In 43 minutes, a ball from a Gascoigne free kick, was headed out by Hopper. In 45 minutes, a great save by Lister saw him put a Morpeth shot over the bar. He then punched the ball clear from the resulting corner. The ball came back in but it was missed by the Morpeth player who had advanced into the 6-yard box to make contact with it. A Stan attack was then cleared & the Stan had survived the late onslaught.

The 2nd half started with Lister getting down to save & soon after he punched the ball out for a corner. There was some more Morpeth pressure but in 52 minutes a joined-up Stan attack eventually ended with Pearson passing to the advancing Giraud who was blocked for a corner. Lister caught the ball in 57 minutes & soon after the advancing Hopper was brought down which earned a yellow card for the player responsible. The ball from the resulting Gascoigne free kick went wide. In 60 minutes, a Morpeth long range shot went well wide. In 63 minutes, a joined-up Stan attack ended with a back pass being intercepted but Fil stopped the resulting counter attack. In 67 minutes, a Giraud shot was put out for a corner. From it, Hopper was blocked & pulled down, although nothing was given. Pearson’s follow up shot hit the Morpeth bar & was then put out for a corner. The Stan then won 2 corners & from the 2nd a Giraud ball was caught by Langley. Soon after Langley came out of his box & Pearson took the opportunity to try a speculative shot from halfway but it went wide. In 71 minutes, a ball from a Morpeth corner was headed wide. 2 minutes later, a Morpeth cross into the Stan box was also headed wide. Soon after Gascoigne shot well over. In 75 minutes, Pearson won the ball on halfway but was then brought down & nothing was given. In 77 minutes, a Morpeth attack ended with the ball blasted over the Stan bar. Soon after Lister had to get up to catch a long-range effort. Pearson was then pulled back but nothing was given. Lister then had to get down to smother the ball. The Stan were now having to soak up more pressure. Hornsby had to block for a corner from which the ball was cleared. Sub Chrisp immediately refreshened the Stan attack. In 84 minutes, s ball from a Stan corner was blocked then cleared. In 88 minutes, man of the match Lister got up to confidently catch. Into 4 added minutes, a ball across the Stan goal was cleared. In 92 minutes, a Morpeth attack was headed clear. Morpeth attacked again but the ball eventually went wide. Morpeth attacked again twice but the Stan stopped them on both occasions. The match ended after Gascoigne had steered the ball out for a bye kick. 

Just as had happened in the Northumberland Senior Cup last year, Morpeth could not beat the Stan who held on for a well-deserved point. The Stan are at home next on Saturday when they host league leaders Liversidge.

Stan Team: Lister; Evans; Hornsby; Kanda; Fil; Shepherd (R); Walker; Gascoigne; Pearson (Errington 85); Giraud (Djalo 85); Hopper (Chrisp 81). Subs unused: Storey; Enwere. Attendance: 312. Man of the Match: Dan Lister.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Ashington

It was back to league action for the Stan as they hosted local rivals Ashington in a 12pm bank holiday kick off. The common theme from the last 3 cup games of not scoring from enough goal opportunities created & not finishing teams off nearly came back to haunt the Stan but a late 94th minute goal from Djalo gave the Stan all 3 points after Ashington had equalised. There were 3 changes from Saturday’s defeat to Wythenshawe with Shepherd, Walker & Errington replacing Hornsby, Storey & Djalo.

In front of a crowd of 512, the Stan were 1st to threaten in the 3rd minute when a Walker break & shot was caught by Alexander in the Ashington goal. Both teams were trying to attack but there was little threat at either end until a Stan free kick in the 16th minute was deflected just wide for a corner. From it, Kanda eventually shot wide. In 19 minutes, an Errington shot was easily collected. 3 minutes later from a Stan free kick into the Ashington box, Shepherd headed just wide. The ball came back in but Milburn’s shot from close range was blocked. In 24 minutes, Giraud was brought down in the visitors’ box, but nothing was given. Soon after, a ball across goal to Errington was cleared on the goal line & Walker tried to force it into the net but the ball was cleared. It was mainly pressure from the Stan now but with no end product. After 33 minutes there was some pressure from Ashington with Lister easily catching twice & a Giraud tackle stopped another Ashington attack. In 36 minutes, a Gascoigne shot was blocked followed by Errington shooting well over from distance. Both teams had another effort each before, in 41 minutes, a Gascoigne free kick went over the Ashington bar. In 44 minutes, Walker flicked on to the advancing Giraud who shot just wide. It was the closest either team had come so far. The half ended with both Gascoigne & Pearson being brought down but nothing was given on either occasion.

After a relatively poor 1st half, the action started almost immediately after the restart as the Stan took the lead in the 47th minute. From a Gascoigne corner, the ball went to Pearson who sent it back to Giraud on the edge of the box & he blasted it into the net. Alexander had dived the right way but couldn’t get to the ball as it went into the right-hand corner of the net. The Stan kept the pressure on & after a corner was cleared, a Giraud shot in the 50th minute was blocked followed by Pearson’s follow up shot being blasted high & wide. Soon after, Gascoigne did the same. The Stan pressure continued & in 55 minutes, from a Gascoigne free kick, Milburn headed the ball towards the net, but Alexander made a great stretching save to put it out for a corner from which the ball was headed wide. In 62 minutes, Giraud shot high & wide. Torrential rain started & in 65 minutes a Gascoigne shot was saved by Alexander. The Stan pressure continued & in 69 minutes a Giraud cross into the Ashington box was punched clear by Alexander just as sub Djalo was about to head the ball into the net. After a quieter 10 minutes, in 81 minutes, Giraud twisted & turned on the edge of the visitors’ box before shooting just wide. Against the run of play in 84 minutes Ashington were level. From a corner, the ball was initially cleared out to the edge of the box, but it went to Ryan Donaldson who blasted the ball through a busy box & it sneaked into the right hand corner of the net. In 85 minutes, from a 2nd corner, Giraud shot over the bar under pressure. 3 minutes later & Giraud advanced into the Ashington box & blasted the ball, but it was forced out for a corner by Alexander although there were calls for a penalty for hand ball. Into 4 minutes of added time, & it looked like the Stan were going to suffer for not converting more than one of the many chances created. In the 91st minute, a Gascoigne corner was cleared & Ashington countered & forced a corner. From it, Kanda headed clear. In 94 minutes, the ball was sent up to the advancing Djalo & although Alexander came out to clear it was Djalo who got to the ball 1st & slotted it into the net from a tight angle. A great goal & Djalo’s 1st league goal for the club. Soon after the final whistle went to the delight of the Stan Army.

So, the Stan left it very very late but got the win they deserved & an important 3 points. They are back in FA Cup action next Saturday when they host Knaresborough Town.

Stan Team: Lister; Evans; Fil; Kanda; Milburn; Shepherd; Walker (Hornsby 79); Gascoigne; Pearson; Giraud (Hopper 90); Errington (Djalo 63). Subs unused: Boothroyd; Storey. No cards. Attendance: 512. Man of the Match: Cyril Giraud.

Kevin Mochrie

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