Season: 2023-24

Heaton Stannington vs Northallerton Town

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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2 vs 1

Temecula

Carlisle City vs Heaton Stannington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sam Henderson

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1 vs 0

North Shields vs Heaton Stannington

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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0 vs 4

Seaham Red Star vs Heaton Stannington

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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1 vs 2

Heaton Stannington vs Penrith

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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