Season: 2023-24

Heaton Stannington vs Newcastle Benfield

There were plenty of goals, fans, excitement & enormous amounts of rain as the Stan drew 4-4 with local rivals Benfield. In monsoon conditions for the whole match, an amazing crowd of 744 watched the Stan come back from 4-1 down to earn a point in a 4-4 draw. There was only 1 change from last Saturday’s great win over Bishop Auckland with Mark Turnbull replacing Craig Scott. Ex-Stan Jake Turnbull started for Benfield.

The Stan showed they meant business when a great cross to Anderson saw him hit the bar after 3 minutes. Both teams were trying to attack but the next clear attack came on 10 minutes when a great mazy run by Lamb saw him pass 3 players but was hacked down just on the very edge of the box & he put the resulting free kick just over the bar. Lamb’s curling shot in 17 minutes saw the ball going over the bar. 2 minutes later, & Benfield’s 1st clear shot, from a long-range effort, went over. 

The Stan shot wide again & in 25 minutes a Hopper cross into the box was blocked. Benfield countered with their 1st effort blocked & the rebound shot forcing a great save from Brass. The ball from the resulting corner was headed clear & the follow up shot went wide. The Stan attacked again twice including through a wasted free kick after Stephenson was badly tackled. 

It was the visitors though who took the lead in 32 minutes, when Brass saved, the rebound shot hit the bar and the 2nd rebound shot was put in the net. In 42 minutes, Benfield were 2-0 up when, from a corner, Brass saved a headed effort, but the rebound shot was put in the net. 

The Stan attacked immediately & it ended with a Stephenson long range rebound shot hitting the post. In 46 minutes, there was a bad tackle on the advancing Hopper just outside the Benfield box. Stephenson took the resulting free kick which he curled into the box for Hopper to head into the net in 47 minutes. The Stan attacked again but the half ended up with everyone very wet & Benfield leading by a goal.

Things got worse for the Stan early in the 2nd half when in the 49th minute a Benfield attack saw Brass beaten to restore the visitor’s 2 goal lead. 3 minutes later & Grainger in the Benfield goal had to get down to catch. A joined-up Stan attack in 55 minutes eventually saw the ball cleared from the goal line. 

In 58 minutes, a speculative but great Lamb long range effort sailed into the far top corner of the net to make it 2-3. Soon after, Lamb shot just wide. In 62 minutes, a 2 footed tackle saw Benfield’s Knight sent off with a straight red. The Stan took immediate advantage of the red knight & started putting pressure on. In 72 minutes, Reid shot just wide & in 79 minutes a Stephenson free kick saw the ball across the visitor’s goal followed by Slaughter’s rebound shot going well over. 

In 81 minutes, a quick throw in caught out the Stan with a Benfield player breaking into the box & beating Brass to make it 2-4. The Stan didn’t give up though & in 86 minutes, Hopper was brought down in the box. He scored from the resulting penalty sending Grainger the wrong way. 

The Stan Army were roaring their soaked team on & the equaliser came in 88 minutes when Lamb forced a corner, from which Mark Turnbull headed the ball into the Benfield net to make it 4-4. Sparky’s goal sparked jubilation among the Stan Army. Both teams were trying to go for a 5th goal but time ran out, despite 5 added minutes, & the match ended 4-4.

It was a great a night of football despite the rain & the overall performance of the Stan was a fitting way to remember Brian Lisle who sadly passed away suddenly on Wednesday. A minute’s silence was held for Brian whose life was intertwined with grassroots football, including being a long term supporter of Heaton Stannington, although he would have been more pleased by the roars of the supporters & the dramatic late equaliser. 

The Stan are now unbeaten in 6 games & remain 5th in the league.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Bishop Auckland

Third placed Bishop Auckland and unbeaten in NL 1 matches played their part in an enthralling match at Grounsell Park as a brilliant home side notched up their fifth successive win with a goal in each half, after the 2 Blues had got a rather fortunate first half equaliser.

Bishop Auckland started well with most of the possession but Stan were steady and competing well. Both goalkeepers had little to do, but on 18 minutes a tremendous surging run by Leighton Hopper, inter play with Louis Anderson with Hopper hitting a low shot past a helpless Ryan Catterick. 1-0    

Three minutes later Sean Reid was taken out by an elbow from Danni Lay, receiving a yellow card. Dan Stephenson took the free kick but Catterick saved comfortably.

On 24 minutes the visitors put the ball down the left flank, with Alfie Marriott getting a boot on it but Liam Henderson gathered and looked to shoot but Craig Scott managed to put the ball behind for a corner.

Anderson played a good ball for Stephenson but he fired over the bar. From a corner on the right, Richie Slaughter hit a fierce shot which hit Niall McGoldrick, winning another corner on the right. Anderson had a collision of knees with with Louis Johnson, with Johnson unable to continue and was replaced by Kieron Parnaby.

Konner Lamb was given offside, as he put the ball into the bottom corner of of the net.

On 32 minutes Charlie Watt was up against Kane Evans, with Watt’s cross come shot sailed into the far top corner with Brass unable to keep out. 1-1

Hopper was making various surging runs, hungry for more goals, he crossed for Lamb but he used his hand to control the ball. Reid under hit a back pass with Andrew May nipping in but Stephenson won the ball to keep Bishop’s from taking the lead.

On 42 minutes McGoldrick went down injured in a collision with Lamb. James Colwill ran on with the stretcher. Ben Errington came on as a substitute. We wish Niall a speedy recovery.

Anderson was flattened again, free kick on the right which Stephenson hit across and past the far post.

HT 1-1

Jay Hornsby replaced the injured Scott with Joe Shepherd moving to centre back.

Four minutes after the restart, a ball down the left for Hopper, marvellous run and jinked inside to delicately dink over the keeper. His 7th league goal of the season. 2-1

Stan were on the front foot and passing well, Hopper unexpectedly hit a great shot just over the bar. More great play with Stephenson hitting the ball over the bar. Two good tackles to deny Hornsby run, with Hopper on the ground needing treatment on his ankle.

Just past the hour Anderson testing Catterick with a low drive.

Hopper was booked for taking the ball away from where Bishops had been awarded a free kick. He was replaced by Andy Burn on 88 minutes. 

Six minutes of added on time, and Stan to a man (probably their best performance of the season so far) would stand up and resist whatever the visitors had left. They had lost their rhythm, had some possession, but only one noteworthy save by an overhead kick from substitute Dean Thexton, which Brass saved well.

Fans applauded as Dean lead all the team in front of them. 

Dean said after the match, “Anybody that finishes above them will win the league. They have some excellent players and play really well. We deserved to win the game. Dug in really well, defended fantastically well and to get the 3 points is huge. We are on a good run”.

Brian Pratt

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Northallerton Town vs Heaton Stannington

Congratulations were in order ahead of the game for manager Dean Nicholson who celebrated his 100th game in charge. The Stan travelled down to Northallerton with threats of a Storm and bad weather, it was a whirlwind first half that helped Stan take a comfortable 3 points back up the A1 with them thankfully with the anticipated Storm not materializing.

A quick fire start to the game saw 2 goals in the first ten minutes, the first coming for the Stan on 5 minutes, Alfie Marriot finishing well following a header across goal from Shepherd. The lead lasted less than 5 minutes as Northallerton hit back on 10 minutes with a tap in from a Brass save. 

This was as good as it got for the home team as Stan took control and after a series of attacks Hopper beat his man, crossed to Reid whose shot was saved unfortunately for Northallerton it was not by the keeper with Hopper slotting in the penalty on 23 minutes. Stan got their 3rd on 36 minutes when Burn flicked on a long ball to Hopper who squared it to Anderson who made no mistake. The fourth came almost instantly, Evans with a brilliant run beating 3 players before crossing for Lamb to finish. A special mention to the Northallerton drummer who despite the wind, rain and score kept on going until the half time whistle.

The second half started as the first ended with Stan in the ascendancy straight from the kickoff and it was on 47 minutes when Stan got their fifth and Anderson his second following a second assist from Shepherd. This was as good as it got in the second half as both teams made changes, all 5 of Stans changes made by the 60th minute. Stan had done what they needed and saw the game out with minimal fuss.

Stan played some great football in tough conditions, dominating from start to finish and limiting the home team to very few chances.  

The travelling fans selecting Louis Anderson as their Man of the Match. In all honestly it could have been a number of players with Evans, Shepherd and Stephenson in the running.

That is 5 goals scored in each of our last 3 games meaning we go into a tough fixture at home to Bishop Auckland on Saturday full of confidence.

Neil Drummond

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Heaton Stannington vs Ilkley Town

Although the match took place at Grounsell Park, the Stan Army were thinking of Wembley and FA Vase glory as the team took on Yorkshire based Ilkley Town from the North West Counties league division 1. It took a stylish 2nd half performance, after a 1st half Ilkley equaliser, for the Stan to tie up the match comfortably with a 4 goal cushion including a Hopper hat trick. Stan fielded an unchanged team from the one that had won 5-0 against Seaham 8 days previously.

The Stan showed they meant business from the kick off & Reid had a shot blocked after 2 minutes. 2 minutes later & Hopper also had a shot blocked. The ball from the resulting corner was headed clear but it went back in & Hopper headed just over via the crossbar.  Hopper & Lamb then had shots blocked as the Stan piled on the pressure. Reid then put the ball in the net but offside was given. 

Ilkley then had a corner but as expected, it was the Stan who took the lead in 12 minutes. The Ilkley keeper blocked Lamb, but he put the ball back to Anderson who put it in the net. Ilkley started to get into the game although it was the Stan who hit the bar from a Stephenson free kick in 18 minutes. 

Ilkley were back on level terms after 20 minutes when a good counter attacking move saw an advancing Ilkley player receive the ball in the box & he sent the ball towards the right of Brass & it squeezed into the net. 2 minutes later Hopper hit the post but much of the rest of the 1st half was more balanced & played at a slower pace. 

In 36 minutes, Hopper beat a player & sent the ball into the box but it was missed by Lamb who then recovered the ball but put it over. Ilkley shot wide but the Stan were getting more of the ball again. Even so, Evans & Turnbull had to make good defensive tackles. 

In 39 minutes, a Stan corner was cleared & then Reid’s header was blocked. Soon after Lamb hit the bar & Reid shot just wide. In 45 minutes, Anderson was brought down in the box & the Stan were able to finish the half in the lead when, a minute later, Hopper comfortably scored with his penalty kick.

3 minutes into the 2nd half, Hopper shot just wide followed by Ilkley having a ball from a corner cleared. The Stan though increased their lead in 50 minutes from a joined-up attack involving Stephenson supplying Lamb who passed to Reid who then gave the ball to Hopper allowing him to slot the ball past the keeper. 

3 minutes later an Ilkley ball went across the goal missing everyone followed by Lamb shooting over at the other end. In 56 minutes, Hopper made a great run into the box, beating 3 players in the process, & sent a cross to Lamb who put the ball over the bar from close range. The Stan shot over again a minute later but this was then followed by a quieter period. 

With 20 minutes to go, both teams were trying to attack but there was then another quieter period until in 79 minutes the Stan went 4-1 up. Stephenson crossed into the box & Lamb headed the ball into the net. 

In 82 minutes, there was a speculative high shot by Ilkley but Brass caught it. A Stan attack was cleared then Reid had a shot easily caught. In 87 minutes the Stan made it 5-1 when Lamb advancing on the right sent the ball back to Hopper on the edge of the box who comfortably curled it into the net. The hat trick was a good ending to a great performance throughout the match by Hopper. 

In 93 minutes, Lamb & Hopper combined to try & allow each other to score but their multiple efforts in front of goal were frustrated by the defence & eventually it was left to Sayer to blast the ball over the ball. In the last of 5 minutes of added time, an Ilkley player was sin binned then Reid’s long range shot went just over.

For the 2nd game in a row, the Stan scored 5 goals to record another comfortable win. Ilkley had never played in the 2nd qualifying round before, and it was the Stan who proceeded to the 1st round proper for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. The Stan again take on Yorkshire opponents on Wednesday night when they travel to Northallerton on league action.

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Seaham Red Star

The Stan had a comfortable but very wet win over Seaham Red Star. Even though it was a miserable night, 541 fans packed into Grounsell Park & they were able to witness 5 different Stan players scoring. There were 2 changes from last Saturday’s win at West Auckland with Evans and Hopper replacing Cassidy and Burn.

Both teams tried to attack from kick off & in 6 minutes Reid supplied Lamb whose shot went only just wide. The Stan were 1-0 up in 11 minutes when Hopper crossed the ball into a packed box & the ball was forced into the net by Anderson. The Stan continued to pressurise & in 14 minutes Reid headed wide & 2 minutes later the Seaham keeper caught a Lamb effort. The visitors then had a free kick from 30 yards which forced a great save from Brass. 

The Stan doubled their lead in 22 minutes when Anderson supplied the advancing Reid who, followed by 2 defenders, confidently put the ball into the net. Evans then broke free & passed to Lamb who shot wide. In 25 minutes, Hopper shot into the side netting & Mark Turnbull made a great defensive tackle at the other end. 

It was mainly all Stan pressure now & in 36 minutes a joined-up Stan attack was blocked in the Seaham box, but the ball came out to the edge of the box allowing Lamb to blast it into the net. Red Star got a rare corner in 38 minutes, but it was cleared & led to a Stan counter attack that was only stopped by the keeper who blocked the advancing Lamb. In the 2nd minute of added time, Hopper’s lovely chip from the edge of the box made it 4-0.

The rain got heavier as the 2nd half progressed & this was reflected in a slower tempo and less action than in the 1st half with both teams hoping for the match to finish sooner rather than later but for different reasons. Sawyer replaced the injured Turnbull for the start of the 2nd half which started quietly until Brass had to get down to save in 51 minutes followed by a Stan corner being headed clear at the other end. 5 minutes later Red Star shot wide. 

There was a good chance for the Stan in 58 minutes when Lamb supplied Reid, but his shot hit off the keeper’s chest. The visiting keeper then caught a Hopper effort. It was now almost one way traffic as the Stan pressure continued although at a slightly slower pace due to the rain. 

In 71 minutes, a good run by Lamb into the box saw his resulting shot blocked but the ball went back to Burn on the edge of the box whose shot made it 5-0. The game remained at a slow pace but all the pressure & chances that did occur were by the Stan. In 85 minutes, a Burn shot was deflected for a corner. The Stan nearly made it 6-0 in the 90th minute when a long ball into the Seaham box saw Lamb slide in at the far post & make contact but the keeper was in right in front of him & able to catch the ball.

It was a good win for the Stan which will help the goal difference as they climb up the league table. Seaham played some good football, but they could not pierce the Stan’s solid defence & the Stan also had more attacking options. The team & the fans did well given the conditions and hopefully they will have all dried out by next Saturday when the Stan are back on the road to Wembley when they host Ilkley Town in the FA Vase.

Kevin Mochrie

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West Auckland Town vs Heaton Stannington

No match report available.

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Tadcaster Albion vs Heaton Stannington

Around 120 Stan fans inside the warm and sun filled SO TRACK Stadium, Tadcaster, to witness the end of their FA Cup run, conceding a goal in each half, with an outstanding goal from Konnor Lamb to bring on a late recovery, but the hosts managed to hang on.

The first 9 minutes almost summed up the whole match, with Tadcaster never getting out of their own half, but Stan failed to create any opening. On 10 minutes Lamb on the right, with space, tried to put the ball over keeper Joe Wilton, but it flew over the bar.

Joe Shepherd came to Stan‘ s rescue on 14 minutes, cutting out a cross from the left, from Oliver Norman,  2 minutes later and Craig Scott was injured in a great tackle as the Brewers broke at speed.

25 minutes and the dangerous Norman moved down the left flank cut inside with his low goal bound shot turned around Lewis Brass’s post. Brass tipped the resultant corner over his bar to concede another corner, which was headed away to Sam Kitchen, but his shot flew only inches over the bar.

It was no surprise when Tadcaster opened the scoring on 30 minutes with that man Martin involved, his pass through to Kitchen with his cross from the by line put home by Kieran Greenway. 0-1

Lamb won the ball on the right, moved forward but his low shot flew across goal and wide.

Lewis Stephens challenged Danny Sayer as he moved forward, with Sayer down with blood again spilled by the Stan defender. He was able to continue, but on 40 minutes he again was felled, holding his head, whilst play continued. Stan players were rightly annoyed by the referees late stopping of play whilst their man lay on the ground with a head injury. He could not continue, so Louis Anderson replaced him, with Dan Stephenson reverting to left back.

No doubt stats would prove Stan had the most possession but their predictable and slow build up play helped the Brewers line up with two banks of four to thwart the Stan’ s attacks. Not one shot on target in the first half from Stan!

HT 1-0

Stan now attacked the end where most of their supporters were gathered. 

Scott was elbowed in the face almost straight away, but he recovered after treatment. No card.

On 51 minutes another well worked breakaway by the Brewers, with a pin point cross from the left, again, with Sam Kay clever flick gave Brass no chance. 0-2

Anderson shot deflected for a corner, then a golden chance for Lamb as he left 3 defenders behind but his tame shot was collected by Wilton.

A flare up as Leighton Hopper was fouled by right back, Charlie Owen. Reid was booked as he continued to make his case.

Jordan Lashley replaced Andy Burn on on 64 minutes, and things got better. He linked up well with Lamb, with Lashley’s drive saved. A good run by Hopper who won a corner, headed out to Richie Slaughter but he blazed high over the bar. Tadcaster were content to leave most of their players defending, playing down the clock and looking for a breakaway. Their captain, Connor Qualter was booked for a foul on Lamb, the referee not changing the colour of his card when he kicked the ball away to deny Stan taking a quick free kick. Sarcastic cheers from Stan fans!    Stephenson took the free kick, throw in won, with Stephenson crossing with Shepherd heading over.

On 71 mins Lamb on the left, moved inside and hit an unstoppable shot into the top far corner. 2-1.

Could Stan get another and fight again at Grounsell Park?

Well, they tried, with Reid in the final minutes hit a very good shot which Wilton broke the Stan fans hearts with a terrific save.

Heaton Stannington receive £750 as losers, and look forward to an away NL 1 trip to West Auckland on Saturday.

Brian Pratt

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Heaton Stannington vs Thackley

After last Friday’s fantastic FA Cup win at Hebburn, the Stan started on the 2nd road to Wembley when they hosted Thackley, of the Northern Counties East Premier Division, in the FA Vase. After a relatively even 1st half, & a penalty miss scare, the Stan showed they meant business with 3 goals in the last 25 minutes. There was 1 change with Mark Turnbull replacing Sayer.

Both teams started by showing they meant business when, after 5 minutes, Thackley shot wide then 2 minutes later a joined-up Stan effort involving 4 players ended with Lashley volleying into the side netting. In 8 minutes, there was a great cross on halfway from Lashley to the advancing Lamb but the Thackley keeper, Wilson, got to the ball 1st. 

Both teams were trying to attack but there were relatively few clear threats. In 15 minutes, Lamb rounded Wilson & passed to Lashley who was blocked with Reid then trying to back-heel the ball into the net but Wilson got back to stop it. The pressure was mainly from the Stan now with the Stan shooting over the bar from a corner in 18 minutes & 3 minutes later Burn shot wide in a crowded box. In 25 minutes, Wilson caught Lamb’s shot & 2 minutes later a Thackley attack resulted in a corner that was cleared by Slaughter. 

There was some sustained pressure from Thackley in 32 minutes when Brass made a great save. The ball from the resulting corner was headed clear by Slaughter for another corner. Slaughter also cleared this one, followed by Turnbull heading clear before Thackley shot wide. Brass had to deal with another 3 saves before it was back to the Stan having an opportunity to score in 41 minutes. Kane broke into the visitor’s box & the ball from his blocked cross went out to Lamb whose shot & rebound shot were blocked by Wilson. In added time, Stan had an attack blocked followed by Reid heading clear at the other end.

After the 1st half stalemate, & with the match having to be decided on the day, both teams had everything to play for in the 2nd half. In 48 minutes, a Stephenson free kick went just over followed by a Reid header, from a Kane cross, being saved by Wilson. Burn then shot over. Thackley then went up & won a corner from which Burn cleared on the line & Brass had to get down to stop the rebound shot. Thackley had 2 more corners before they shot well over from outside the box. Lashley was involved in 3 Stan attacks which led to nothing. 

In 57 minutes though, Lamb had a shot which was deflected off a Thackley player in the visitor’s box & a penalty was awarded for handball. Lashley took the penalty, but he put the ball just wide of the right post. Thackley seized on the Stan’s missed opportunity & attacked at the other end although they eventually shot over from a free kick.

In 63 minutes, Kane supplied Lashley but his shot was blocked by Wilson. Soon after, a mistake saw the ball go to Lamb but his shot was also blocked by Wilson. The Stan were now putting increasing pressure on Thackley & fresh legs were added up front in 66 minutes when Hopper replaced Lashley. A minute later & the Stan were ahead when a speculative Reid long range effort bounced in front of Wilson & into the net. 

2 minutes later & Reid tried another similar shot but slipped & his effort went wide. It was all Stan pressure now & there was a great opportunity in 71 minutes. Lamb advanced into the penalty box & to the right of the goal & put the ball back to Hopper who miss hit it. 

In 72 minutes though it was 2-0 through a great goal, when a Kane cross into the box from the right saw Reid get up to head it into the net. Lamb had a great opportunity in 74 minutes but sliced his effort over the bar. Almost all the action was now in the visitor’s half as the Stan looked for another goal. 

In 82 minutes, Hopper got by Wilson, but his effort was cleared off the line by a defender. The 3rd goal eventually came in 88 minutes when Hopper won the ball from between 2 defenders & advanced & chipped the ball past Wilson. In 91 minutes, Hopper advanced & was brought down resulting in the only booking of a civilised & well played match by both teams.

The 3 second half goals provided the Stan with a deserved victory & they now host another Yorkshire team, Ilkley Town, in the 2nd Qualifying round. Firstly though it is back to FA Cup action when the Stan travel to Tadcaster Albion on Saturday. So it could still be twin visits to the twin towers!

Kevin Mochrie

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Hebburn Town vs Heaton Stannington

The FA Cup dream is alive & kicking as the Stan continue on the road to Wembley after a fantastic win over higher league opposition in the form of Hebburn Town from the Northern Premier East league. There were 2 changes from Tuesday’s league win at Redcar with Shepherd and Lashley replacing Mark Turnbull and the injured Hopper. There was also a start from the bench for Louis Anderson who is back at the club this week after returning from his travels.

The match started with both teams mainly cancelling each other out although Brass had to get down to save in 5 minutes & Lamb had an off-side shot in 11 minutes. After some Stan pressure, Brass had to get down to save in 16 minutes although 2 minutes later Scott headed wide from a Stan free kick. It remained pretty even although both teams were trying to attack. 

After Slaughter had made 2 good clearances at the other end, a Stephenson free kick into the box was headed clear in 34 minutes. A dreadful tackle on Sawyer in 38 minutes saw the offending player red carded. Both teams ended the half trying to attack but without really threatening & there was nothing really separating the 2 them with both having everything to play for in the 2nd half.

The 2nd half started with Brass putting the ball over his bar for a corner. Hebburn had another couple of attacks, but it was the Stan who took the lead in 53 minutes through a brilliant goal. Stephenson’s free kick was headed into the Hebburn net by Burn who rose majestically to do so. 

The Stan weren’t going to leave things there & in 56 minutes a great run down the middle by Lashley saw him brought down just outside the box but nothing was given. In 60 minutes, there was the start of a period of sustained Stan pressure. In 65 minutes, Sawyer was brought down just outside the home box but the keeper got to the ball from the resulting free kick. 

It was all mainly Stan pressure now with some great joined up football. In 75 minutes, the home keeper had to get down to stop a Stephenson effort. It was then Brass’s turn for heroics. He made a great save from a Hebburn free kick. The ball from the resulting corner was blocked on the line by a helpful Hebburn player who was also off-side. 

Brass then made a great save to stop a long-range home effort & he then put the close range rebound shot over the bar. Lamb counter attacked from the resulting corner & crossed to the advancing Lashley who confidently blasted the ball into the net to make it 2-0 in 79 minutes. Both teams were trying to attack & there were 2 bad tackles on sub Doyle. 

There was some sustained pressure from Hebburn in 86 minutes, but they could not pierce the Stan defence. Lamb shot just wide in 89 minutes followed by Brass having to save at the other end. The action continued into the 3 minutes of added time, but the match ended with a 2-0 victory for the Stan.

What a performance by the Stan who deserved their win. In the 1st half they easily matched their opposition & in the 2nd, regardless of the player advantage, they played out of their socks across the park with special credit being given to keeper & man of the match Lewis Brass who pulled off some fantastic saves. The sizeable & loud Stan Army were ecstatic at full time & the whole Stan squad went over to the far corner to show their appreciation. There is more cup action next Saturday & the start of another route to Wembley as the Stan host Thackley Town in the FA Vase.

Kevin Mochrie

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Redcar Athletic vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan’s 1st away league match of the season saw them to travel to Teesside to take on Redcar Athletic. Both teams were desperate for a win & although it was not a match to remember the Stan did enough to secure all 3 points. There were 4 changes from Saturday’s home draw with Carlisle, with Sayer, Burn, Slaughter & Stephenson replacing Doyle, Hornsby, Cassidy & Bisset.

The match started with both teams trying to attack but with them just cancelling each other out. The Stan did have a corner after only 2 minutes which was eventually cleared. Redcar had the 1st clear effort in 8 minutes when they shot over the bar after some good build up. The Stan then had a free kick into the box which was blocked then Scott shot well wide. 

During a quieter period, Brass had to catch from a Redcar free kick in 15 minutes & 4 minutes later he punched clear from a corner. Soon after Reid, who was playing as a centre half, had to head clear. Both teams were again trying to score but both defences were stopping them including some good work by Slaughter. 

By 30 minutes, it was Redcar who were putting slightly more pressure on, but it was the Stan who scored 1st in 32 minutes. Sayer sent a speculative shot into a busy Redcar box & although the keeper caught the ball, he dropped it allowing Lamb to slot it into the net. A minute later & Redcar were back level as an attack into the Stan box saw the ball blocked 3 times before a home player’s shot was deflected into the net off Reid. 

After a Stan attack that was blocked, Kane had to head clear a Redcar headed effort from a corner in 37 minutes. Hopper then also had to clear. At the other end, balls were often being sent too far & high for Lamb to connect with although he never stopped running for the rest of the half & indeed all night.

The 2nd half started with both teams knowing that the match was there to win although this was rarely put into action. In 48 minutes, Brass caught from a corner followed by Stephenson shooting wide under pressure at the other end. The Stan had started positively but the Redcar defence was holding strong.

 After 54 minutes, Redcar had 2 attacks cleared but this was followed by a quiet period. This changed in 62 minutes when Evans sent a ball into the home box for Hopper but the ball was blocked for a corner. Stephenson took it & the ball was put into the net at the far post by Hopper to make it 2-1 to the Stan. 

In 65 minutes, Brass had to get down to save followed by 2 clearances by the Stan. For the rest of the match, when the opportunity arose, Redcar tried sending balls from long high throw-ins into the box. The 1st one in 67 minutes ended in a shot in the crowded Stan box going just wide. Both teams though were cancelling each other out although a Redcar long range effort in 72 minutes went just wide. 

A few minutes later the Stan had some pressure & in 77 minutes a ball from a Stan corner was deflected just wide for another corner. Redcar then had an attack blocked before a Stephenson free kick at the other end was headed out for a corner. In 82 minutes, a Lamb counterattack saw him cynically brought down. Redcar then had a few minutes of sustained pressure. 

The Stan though were always looking to counter, mainly through Lamb, & in 89 minutes a Stephenson long ball to him saw him chip the keeper but the ball went just wide. 2 minutes later, & another long pass from Stephenson saw Lamb get by a defender who then brought Lamb down just outside the home box when he only had the keeper to beat. The player was sent off although Lamb’s resulting free kick went over the wall & wide. 

Lamb was brought down again in 94 minutes. The long drive back to Tyneside for the sizeable Stan Army was delayed as the referee added on an unexpected 10 minutes of additional time which was mainly taken up by fouls.

It was a stop-start game & not a good one to watch for the 300 crowd, but the Stan held in to win & move up to 8th in the table. Next off the Stan are on the road to Wembley (or metro for most of the Stan Army) as they cross the Tyne on Friday night to take on Hebburn Town.

Kevin Mochrie

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