Competition: Northern Premier League East

Heaton Stannington vs Hallam

Andy McBride’s 2nd official match in charge saw the Stan host 2nd bottom Hallam. Unfortunately, there were to be no celebratory fireworks for the Stan on bonfire weekend as despite attacking opportunities, they failed to beat Hallam who took advantage of 2 defensive mistakes to seal a narrow victory. There were no changes from last Saturday’s fantastic win at Pontefract. Club legend Andy Burn made his debut from the bench on his return to the club. Before the match, the newly named Bill Colwill Stand was unveiled in memory of another Stan legend.  Before kick-off, a wreath was laid in the centre circle, the last post was played & a minute’s silence was held to pay respects in advance of Remembrance Sunday the following day.

The 1st threat came from the Stan who had a ball from a corner cleared in the 2nd minute. After some more Stan pressure, Hallam finally got the ball into the Stan box in the 6th minute, but Lister easily collected. A minute later & the visitors sent a speculative long-range effort over the Stan bar. After 10 minutes, a Gascoigne free kick from near halfway was headed towards the net by Djalo but Warhurst in the Hallam goal caught it. The Stan attacked again as they continued to have most of the possession. In the 14th minute, a Gascoigne free kick was headed over the Hallam bar by Walker. 3 minutes later, a ball from a Hallam throw in into the Stan box was only partially cleared before being blasted well over the bar. In 20 minutes, Pearson broke forward on the left, passed 2 Hallam players but his diagonal shot across the Hallam goal went just wide. Soon after, Giroud supplied Pearson in the centre of the Hallam box, but nothing was given when he was brought down. In the 25th minute, a ball from a Stan corner was headed over the Hallam bar by a visiting player. The 2nd corner led to a 3rd for the Stan from which the ball was cleared to Walker whose shot led to a spectacular save from Warhurst & a 4th corner from which the ball was cleared. In 29 minutes, a ball from a Hallam corner was headed away by Milburn then fully cleared by Capewell. In 34 minutes, a long ball from Hallam saw Murray nip in between a Stan defender & the advancing Lister to get the ball & his shot from the edge of the Stan box went into the undefended net for 0-1. In 35 minutes, the Stan came close to equalising when a Pearson shot was saved by Warhurst & he also saved the follow up shot from Giraud. The equaliser did come in the 39th minute when Pearson crossed from the right & a full stretch by Walker saw him tap the ball into the net. Soon after, Chrisp sent a long ball into the Hallam box, which was headed clear. In 43 minutes, Chrisp sent a long-range effort wide. In the 2nd added minute, Pearson passed to Gascoigne who supplied Giraud, but his shot was stopped by Warhurst before hitting off the post. 

There was all to play for in the 2nd half for both teams. The Stan had an attack cleared in the 47th minute, & a minute later a long ball into the Hallam box saw the advancing Milburn head just wide under pressure. In 51 minutes, a sustained Hallam attack was cleared 3 times. The Stan then countered involving Giroud & Gascoigne & finally Pearson whose effort was blocked. Pearson won the ball back but it was cleared but only to Giroud whose shot from outside the Hallam box went wide. A minute later, a Stan corner was cleared although the Hallam counterattack was stopped by Fil. In 57 minutes, a speculative Hallam effort from halfway went wide. There was not much happening now although a minute later a Giroud ball diagonally into the Hallam box went wide before Djalo could make contact with it. In the 61st minute, a Hallam free kick to the far side of the Stan goal was headed into the net by Dando to put Hallam undeservedly back in the lead. In 63 minutes, there was an opportunity for the Stan when Chrisp sent a ball through the crowded Hallam box with Djalo advancing out of the crowd into the 6 yard box & towards the keeper but he couldn’t make contact. 3 minutes later & a Stan attack was headed clear followed by 2 more clearances. In 69 minutes, a Hallam player shot well wide. A minute later & a free kick by sub Burn was cleared. Soon after, a Chrisp ball into the Hallam box was caught by Warhurst. A minute later & Warhurst just got to the ball before Pearson, but the flag was up. It was all Stan pressure now & until the end of the match although the Hallam defence managed to soak it up.  In 77 minutes, a Stan attack ended with Fil shooting over the Hallam bar from the edge of the box. 2 minutes later & a Fil cross into the Hallam box for Walker saw him brought down but nothing was given. In 84 minutes, Gascoigne shot from the edge of the Hallam box & his effort went just over the bar. The Stan kept attacking & in the 92nd minute Gascoigne was pushed in the Hallam box but nothing was given. In 94 minutes, Burn sent a long ball to Capewell in the Hallam box, but he was offside. Soon after Savage sent a diagonal ball into the Hallam box but Gascoigne couldn’t make contact. The match ended with sub Errington winning the ball just outside the Hallam box & although he managed to turn & shoot, his effort went just wide.

So, it was a disappointing afternoon for the Stan with the main problem being them not able to score. Next up for the Stan is a trip to newly promoted & former Northern League rivals Guisborough Town in 2 weeks’ time.

Stan Team: Lister; Milburn (Burn 61); Chrisp; Fil (Y) (Boothroyd 82); Capewell (Y); Shepherd; Djalo (Savage 68); Gascoigne (Y); Pearson; Walker (Y); Giraud (Errington 72). Sub not used: Hornsby. Attendance: 480. Man of the Match: Connor Walker.

Kevin Mochrie

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Pontefract Collieries vs Heaton Stannington

There was nothing spooky about the Stan’s Halloween win as new manager Andy McBride got off to a very convincing winning start as they thumped 4th placed Pontefract at their Yorkshire fortress. The icing on the Pontefract cake was that the home side had been unbeaten at home so far this season & had also just completed an 8-match unbeaten run. It was Andy’s first official game in charge after permanently taking over the managerial reins from Dean Nicholson. His one match as caretaker had ended in defeat last Saturday against league leaders Bradford Park Avenue & there were 4 changes from that match. Milburn, Chrisp, Djalo & Giraud replaced Hester, Parkinson, Errington & Hopper. Hester & Gell have returned to their parent clubs, Sunderland & Whitby Town respectively.

Pontefract got off to a bad start when, in the 4th minute, O’Grady was sent off for taking out a Stan player. Things got worse for them in the 16th minute when Giraud advanced down the left & crossed the ball into the home box allowing Gascoigne to head home to put the Stan in the lead. Gascoigne got his & the Stan’s 2nd goal in the 26th minute when, after Pontefract had lost possession, he scored with a shot from the edge of the Pontefract box. Soon after, Pontefract had a penalty claim when a player went down in the Stan box, but the referee immediately dismissed it. 

Although the Stan were comfortably ahead at half time, Pontefract started the 2nd half trying to get back into the match. It was the Stan though that went 3-0 up in the 52nd minute. Pearson, in the middle of the field, supplied Giraud on the left who advanced into the Pontefract box & passed to Djalo who tapped the ball into the net.. Pontefract got a goal back in the 55th minute through Middleton. The Stan restored their 3-goal lead in the 68th minute when Pearson got his 1st goal of the season. A long ball from Lister eventually went out to Giraud on the left who then entered the home box & his cross went across the front of the goal to Pearson at the far post who put the ball in the net.

So, it was 3 comfortable points for the Stan in Andy McBride’s 1st official game in charge. Giraud was awarded the man of the match award, partly due to his 3 assists. The Stan will be aiming to remain on a high next Saturday when they host 2nd bottom club Hallam.

Stan Team: Lister; Milburn; Chrisp; Fil; Capewell; Shepherd; Djalo (Savage 69); Gascoigne (Boothroyd 81); Pearson (Hopper 77); Walker; Giraud (Errington 69). No cards. All subs used. Attendance: 256. Man of the Match: Cyril Giraud.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Bradford Park Avenue

Andy McBride took charge of the Stan today for the 1st time but unfortunately, it was not to be a happy occasion as the club lost 1-6 to ex-league team Bradford Park Avenue. Neutrals didn’t expect much out of this game for the Stan, as, in the 13 league games they had already played this season, Bradford Park Avenue were undefeated. Andy has taken the reigns after Dean Nicholson’s shock resignation on Thursday after 5 years in charge. This is only the 2nd managerial change in 28 years at Heaton Stannington. There were 5 changes from last Saturday’s comeback draw at North Ferriby with Hester, Capewell, Walker, Pearson & Hopper replacing Milburn, Chrisp, Djalo, Savage & Giraud. Leighton Hopper was in the record books for equalling the all time starts record in the Northern and Northern Premier league era.

The match was played in poor & very windy conditions as storm Boela struck but there was still a healthy crowd of 357.In the 3rd minute, Pearson broke forward but Lambton in the BPA goal got down at his feet to grab the ball. 2 minutes later & BPA forced a corner. From the corner, in the 6th minute, the visitors were ahead when Haw bundled the ball across the Stan goal line. 4 minutes later & a BPA attack was stopped in the 6-yard box. Both teams were trying to attack but it was BPA who next came close in the 15th minute when the ball went across the Stan gaol but was missed by everyone. BPA then won a throw in which saw the ball sent into the Stan box but was blocked twice just outside the 6-yard box & was sent back in but thanks to the wind the ball was missed by everyone. In 17 minutes, the ball was sent across the Stan goal but again was missed by everyone. 2 minutes later & a BPA free kick into the Stan box saw Lister easily get up to catch the ball. In 20 minutes, a BPA player went down just inside of the Stan penalty box. To the surprise of most fans a penalty was given. Haw took the penalty & scored as Lister dived the wrong way. In the 23rd minute, a BPA player broke forward & shot just wide when he only had Lister to beat & probably should have scored. Pearson was trying to get forward whenever he could but in most occasions he couldn’t get to the ball before the opposition keeper or defenders did. In 27 minutes, BPA shot over the Stan bar. Hester then broke down the left & beat a player, but his shot was blocked by Lambton. The Stan kept the pressure on with the BPA defence having to block followed by Errington’s blasted shot being saved by the diving Lambton & put out for the 1st of 2 consecutive Stan corners. Walker & Hester were fouled but nothing was given. In the 40th minute, Hester broke forward & supplied the advancing Pearson who was brought down just outside the visitor’s box. The resulting free kick from Gascoigne went over the wall but was caught by Lambton. The 1st half ended with some sustained attacking by the Stan but without any end product & they ended the half 2 goals down.

The 2nd half started with Pearson forcing a corner. Gascoigne took it & Hopper headed the ball towards the net but was blocked. BPA counter attacked but were stopped by Hester. In 49 minutes, a BPA corner saw them shoot just wide from within the 6-yard box. 2 minutes later & Lister blocked a BPA effort followed by Parkinson clearing it. The sustained early pressure from the visitors continued & in 51 minutes a BPA player advanced into the Stan box & was pressurised by Capewell but the ball went off him to Lister & was interpreted as a back pass by the referee. BPN took their indirect free kick in the 53rd minute & it was tapped to Haw who shot through the wall & the ball was deflected into the net for both his & BPA’s 3rd goal. 2 minutes later it was 0-4 when, on the edge of the Stan box, Haw chipped the ball over a crowd of players & it deflected off one of them & into the Stan net. After Lister had to catch in the 58th minute, 2 minutes later the Stan had a rare effort when a high ball to Parkinson saw his shot blocked by Lambton. In 66 minutes, a speculative long-range effort by BPA saw Lister get down to save. A ball was then sent across the BPA goal but was missed by everyone. In 68 minutes, Haw scored for the 5th time when the Stan failed to clear a BPA attack. In 78 minutes, sub Boothroyd broke forward but was blocked. A minute later & a Stan attack was cleared. In 81 minutes, a high ball into the BPA box from the left was headed into the net by Djalo. A classic Djalo goal. In 85 minutes, from a corner, Giraud had to clear from in front of the Stan goal. The Stan counter attacked but Lambton came out to clear. In 88 minutes, a poor Stan pass back allowed a BPA player to advance on Lister who blocked the ball, but Capewell wasn’t able to clear allowing the advancing BPA sub Parkin to pick up the ball & slot it into the Stan net for 1-6. It was not to be the Stan’s day as in the final minute Giraud’s shot hit the BPA post.

Despite the weather, strong opposition & dreadful officials, a poor performance & gifted goals made this a day to forget. The Stan are back on the road next Saturday when they travel to 4th placed Pontefract Collieries.

Stan Team: Lister; Fil; Hester; (Giraud 58); Parkinson (Savage 68); Capewell; Shepherd; Errington (Djalo 58); Walker; Pearson (Boothroyd 74); Gascoigne; Hopper (Milburn 58). No cards. All subs used. Attendance: 357. Man of the Match: Connor Walker.

Kevin Mochrie

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North Ferriby vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan undertook another long away trip, 3 in 4 matches, & after things were looking bad at half time when 2-0 down, they showed resilience & fought back to earn a 2-2 draw on Humberside. There were 2 changes from last Saturday’s home win over Ossett United with Djalo & Errington replacing Hopper & Walker.

The Stan started positively when, in the 3rd minute, Giraud cut into the North Ferriby box & passed to Djalo whose shot went over the bar. A minute later, & a home effort went wide. There were 2 early setbacks for the Stan as they went 2-0 down after only 17 minutes. In the 7th minute. North Ferriby’s Dennett sent a long throw into the Stan box which was flicked on by Day & tapped into the net at the back post by Williamson. Dennett was the 2nd home scorer in the 17th minute when he was gifted an easy opportunity when a high ball into the Stan box wasn’t cleared. In 22 minutes, Giraud forced a save from Dash in the home goal. Soon after, Giraud was into the box again & after being blocked supplied Djalo whose effort went across the goal & over the bar at the far post. In 26 minutes, a ball to the advancing Gascoigne saw him send a ball towards the back post but it went slightly wide. Lister made a save in the 29th minute followed by the ball rolling across the goal line but there was no one there. Lister made another save 5 minutes later. After a quieter period, & into added time, Giraud shot from the edge of the home box straight at Dash. A Stan player was then fouled on the edge of the home box & the resulting Gascoigne free kick looked like it was going into the net, but Dash managed to get up to catch the ball.

There were 2 substitutions at half time with Capewell replacing Giraud & Hester replacing Milburn. After a quieter restart, North Ferriby shot wide in the 50th minute. A minute later & Lister got across to the left top corner of his goal to make a big save. In 55 minutes, the Stan pulled a goal back when a Gascoigne free kick into the home box caused chaos & although the ball was initially blocked, Errington was eventually able to shoot into the net. In 62 minutes, Lister had to make another important fingertip save from a header which he put over the bar. What a save. In 66 minutes, the Stan shot wide followed by Pearson making his return from injury when he replaced Djalo. Almost immediately, he had an opportunity to score but couldn’t make contact with the ball at close range. In 70 minutes, a long throw in to Errington saw him slice his shot over the home bar. Hester then shot wide from 25 yards, and Dash had to save again soon after from Gascoigne who had been supplied by a great ball from Fil. The Stan were now in control as they sought an equaliser. In 73 minutes, Savage shot just wide. Gascoigne got the equaliser & his 5th goal for the Stan in the 75th minute when, from a free kick on the left, the ball was sent into the home box & tapped back to him allowing him to blast it into the net through the crowded box. In 79 minutes, a North Ferriby ball went across the Stan goal before being cleared. They then had another effort cleared. Although the Stan initially countered, the home team continued to attack resulting in a free kick on the edge of the box which Lister had to get down to save. In 86 minutes, after a home player had headed a Stan effort clear, the ball went out to Chrisp who shot straight at Dash from 25 yards. In the 90th minute, Dash just managed to stop a Fil effort from just outside the home box with a full length save after the Stan had broken forward. Into 4 minutes of added time, & both teams were trying to & capable of seeking a winner. In the 94th minute, Lister made an important save as, from a home long throw in, there was a scramble in the box with Lister stopping an effort from close range & although he couldn’t hold the ball, when it came back in he managed to catch it. There was no more drama as the final whistle was blown soon after.

The Stan’s 2nd half recovery was down partly to the 2 goals scored & numerous other attacks but it was also due to some good goalkeeping by Lister & good defending. This included the contribution from Sunderland loanee Hester who made a huge impact when he joined play for the 2nd half & as a result was awarded man of the match.  Next Saturday the Stan are back at home & host league leaders Bradford Park Avenue.

Stan Team: Lister; Milburn (Hester 46); Fil; Chrisp (Y); Parkinson; Shepherd; Savage (Hopper 87); Gascoigne; Djalo (Pearson 67); Giroud (Capewell 46); Errington. Sub not used: Boothroyd. Attendance: 381. Man of the Match: Bayley Hester.   

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Ossett United

The Stan secured a deserved three points but only late on a sunny, windy but bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. This was partly due to a 70th minute goal but also because the start of the match was delayed to 4pm due to the Ossett team bus getting stuck on the A1 due to a major accident. Although the Stan had more chances, the match was still 0-0 at half time, but they put on a great performance in the 2nd half, in all areas of the pitch, & should have won by a few goals. In the end though, they had to settle for 1-0. There were 4 changes from Tuesday night’s defeat at Matlock with Parkinson, Gascoigne, Walker & Hopper replacing Hester, Gell, Djalo & Errington. There was a debut for new loan signing Mitch Parkinson from Redcar Athletic.

Although hindered by the strong wind, both teams started positively but were cancelling each other out until the 7th minute when Ossett keeper Petrovic easily caught a Stan effort. Ossett then counter attacked & won a free kick 30 yards from the Stan goal. Milburn headed the ball from the free kick clear, but the wind caught it & Hopper had to put it out for a corner. From it, an Ossett player shot just over the Stan bar. The Stan then broke through Giraud on the left although the ball went out for a goal kick when it looked like it should be a corner. Soon after, a high Stan free kick into the Ossett box was caught by Petrovic. There was a good Stan move in 11 minutes, when Hopper sent the ball up to Savage who broke forward & outpaced a defender to be 1 on 1 with Petrovic but he came out to block. After a Stan and an Ossett attack were cleared, Parkinson countered but was blocked. Ossett then attacked again & from the resulting corner Shepherd cleared. In 19 minutes, Giraud broke forward but his long-range effort saw Petrovic get down to collect. In 25 minutes, a ball from a Stan corner was cleared & the ball was sent back in, but Petrovic got up to catch. 3 minutes later & the Stan attacked again but Ossett cleared twice. In 29 minutes, the ball was sent up high due to the advancing Hopper in the 6 yard box but he couldn’t get his head to it. A minute later & Lister easily caught. Walker then supplied the advancing Hopper who began to round Petrovic, but he got down to block before Hopper could shoot. From the resulting corner, Petrovic blocked on his goal line. In 35 minutes, a Gascoigne free kick into the Ossett box saw a scramble which ended with Shepherd’s blasted shot being blocked. The ball went back in towards goal but was headed clear & was eventually put out for a Stan throw in. From it, after being partially cleared, Giraud sent the ball back in & although Petrovic punched it clear it went to Milburn on the edge of the box whose shot went across the Ossett goal & was deflected out for a throw in. In 44 minutes, Lister had to make a good save. In the 45th minute, a Gascogne free kick into the Ossett box was headed on by Shepherd but Petrovic easily collected it. The Stan defence then easily dealt with a counterattack, but the ball came back up & out for a corner which came to nothing.

After a very windy 1st half, the Stan had the wind behind them in the 2nd half. There was a quiet start until the 49th minute when a Stan long ball bounced & Petrovic caught it just before Hopper got to it. Giraud then advanced with the ball & sent it towards Walker, but a defender got to it 1st. Giraud was then brought down but the resulting Gascoigne free kick into the Ossett box was cleared for a corner. From it, Hopper headed over the Ossett bar. Both teams were trying to attack but the next clear chance to score came in the 60th minute when Giraud blasted a diagonal shot just wide. In 63 minutes, a Stan free kick into the Ossett box saw a visiting player send the ball towards his goal forcing full length save from Petrovic which then saw him collide with the advancing Hopper. In 66 minutes, Petrovic saved a Walker effort. It was all Stan pressure now as they kept attacking the Ossett box. In 69 minutes, a Stan corner was cleared & the ball went back out to Giraud whose shot was blocked. In the 70th minute, the Stan pressure paid off when Chrisp sent the ball up the left to Giraud who sent a high long ball into the Ossett box to Milburn on the right of the goal who headed it into the net for 1-0. What a goal. In 76 minutes, an Ossett throw in into the Stan box was cleared but the ball went back in high forcing Lister to get up to catch. Petrovic then caught a wind assisted effort as the wind started to get up again. In 81 minutes, a Walker long range effort went over the Ossett bar. Walker then entered the Ossett box & crossed to sub Djalo but Petrovic got down at his feet to stop him shooting. In 87 minutes, Shepherd cleared an Ossett attack. In the 90th minute, a joined up Djalo & Savage attack eventually saw Giraud’s shot blocked in front of  goal & deflected over the bar for a corner. Into 4 added minutes, & a long ball to sub Errington but his shot from relatively close range saw Petrovic get down to save it. 

Despite relatively physical opposition & strong wind, the Stan thoroughly justified their win which sees them remain in 7th & in a play-off place. After 5 matches in 14 days, the Stan players now have a well-deserved rest until next Saturday although they then face a 4th long away trip in 5 matches when they travel to North Ferriby.

Stan Team: Lister; Milburn; Fil; Chrisp (Y); Parkinson (Y); Shepherd; Gascoigne; Walker; Hopper (Djalo 64); Giroud (Errington 91); Savage. Subs not used: Hornsby; Hester; Capewell. Attendance: 459. Man of the Match: Ben Milburn.   

Kevin Mochrie

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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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