Season: 2025-26

Bradford Park Avenue vs Heaton Stannington

Fifteen days since the Stan’s narrow Trophy defeat, they returned to the Horsfall Stadium in league action but this time without the backdrop of a massive storm. They came away with a deserved point but could have taken all three in a competitive match against promotion chasing Bradford Park Avenue. The Stan are now unbeaten in six league games. There were two changes from Wednesday’s draw with Newton Aycliffe with Beattie & Robson replacing Stephenson & Walker. 

After a relatively quiet start, Gordon made a great save in the seventh minute with the rebound shot hitting the side netting. The Stan then broke forward but Hopper’s shot was easily collected by the keeper. A home player then broke forward & forced another save from Gordon. In fourteen minutes, a ball from a Stan corner was headed towards goal by Robson but was cleared off the Bradford goal line. After twenty minutes, a ball from a Bradford free kick went high and just wide. In twenty-six minutes, a cross into the Stan box saw a home player shoot but his effort was stopped by Gordon who got down to save. The Stan countered & Slaughter sent a great long ball to the advancing Errington who passed to the also advancing Payne who passed back to Errington, but his shot was blocked by the keeper for a corner. In thirty-four minutes, a Slaughter ball into the home box saw Capewell flattened by a home player as he was about to make contact with the ball but the referee waved play on. In forty-three minutes, a Slaughter free kick from the edge of the Bradford box hit the wall and was cleared. The Stan had slightly the better chances in the first half but it remained 0-0 at half time.

The 2nd half was a quieter affair but both defences still had to be on their guard although there were far fewer clear chances for either side compared to in the first half. In fifty-four minutes, a long ball from Slaughter into the Bradford box was caught by the home keeper. In sixty-four minutes, Gordon had to get down to save. Nine minutes later & a Stan attack was cleared. There was nothing much else to report until added time when Bradford stepped up a gear to an extent although Gordon easily caught the first home effort and the second shot went wide.

This important point, & a third clean sheet in a row, sees the Stan in tenth place & both six points above the relegation zone & six points from a play-off placing. Dan Capewell was voted man of the match although all five defenders put in a great shift. The Stan are next in action on Wednesday night when they host Bridlington Town. 

Stan Team: Gordon; Beattie; Robson; Capewell; Shepherd; Payne (Burn 57); Slaughter (Storey 68); Pearson; Hopper (Adamson 79); Errington (Lamb 73). Sub not used: Blakey. No cards.  Attendance 360. MoM: Dan Capewell.                           

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Newton Aycliffe

After 15 days short of a year since the last time that they had done so, the Stan drew 0-0 at home to share the points with Newton Aycliffe. They had come close to scoring in the 1st half while the visitors had only 1 clear effort on goal. In the 2nd half, Newton Aycliffe got back into the game but both teams ultimately cancelled each other out. There were no changes from Saturday’s win over Bishop Auckland. 

On a pleasant autumn afternoon, both teams started positively although there was nothing to report in the 1st 15 minutes apart from 2 flags up against the Stan for offside.  After 15 minutes, a Stephenson free kick into the Aycliffe box was headed clear. Most of the action had so far been in the visitors’ half. In 18 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was cleared out to Slaughter whose blasted shot hit a defender & was cleared. Payne then had a shot cleared & 2 minutes later a sustained Stan attack ended with the ball going wide. Another Stan attack was then cleared followed by a Hopper ball across the box which was too fast for everyone else & although it was sent back in the Aycliffe keeper easily caught it. After 27 minutes, Gordon made a low save from an  Aycliffe effort. In 28 minutes, a long ball from Gordon saw the visiting keeper just get to it before a Stan player. Soon after a Slaughter long throw into the box was headed clear. The ball was sent back in, but the keeper caught it from a Payne effort. In 30 minutes, a Stephenson long ball into the box saw a glancing header from Pearson but his great effort went just wide of the post. Soon after there was a sustained joined up Stan attack which was cleared for a corner from which Slaughter blasted the ball over the bar. It was still mainly all Stan after 33 minutes when Pearson broke but was blocked. There was still no threat from Aycliffe & in 39 minutes Hopper blasted a shot wide. The Stan kept attacking but the half ended 0-0.

A minute into the 2nd half during a Stan attack, although the ball bounced awkwardly the Aycliffe keeper just managed to get to it before a Stan player did. In 51 minutes, Aycliffe broke but Gordon made a great save. The Aycliffe pressure continued & after a 2nd corner Gordon got down to catch. Aycliffe then had a corner which hit off Gordon & avoided crossing the line.  In 56 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was cleared & his follow up shot was blocked. After another Stan attack was blocked, Gordon had to easily catch in 59 minutes followed by another Stan attack being cleared. In 63 minutes, Errington shot wide & the next 4 minutes saw 2 more Stan attacks although they came to nothing. There was some sustained Aycliffe pressure after 72 minutes that apart from man of the match Shepherd having to head clear came to nothing. In 75 minutes, after a Pearson advance was blocked, Stephenson sent a ball into the Aycliffe box for Pearson, but it was headed clear. Soon after, a long ball to Pearson saw him advance again but the advancing keeper got out to save his shot. From the resulting throw in, Capewell headed wide. A ball was then sent up to the advancing Stepheson, but his deflected shot hit the side netting. 2 minutes later & sub Lamb advanced & passed to Evans but the ball was deflected for a corner which was subsequently cleared. It was all Stan again now, but the Aycliffe defence were dealing with the pressure. In 87 minutes, Aycliffe had the ball in the net, but the offside flag was already up. An Aycliffe ball then went across the Stan box, but it was too fast for everyone. Into 7 minutes of added time & a Stephenson free kick into a packed Aycliffe box was cleared. In 94 minutes, Walkers sent a ball into Pearson in the Aycliffe box, but the keeper got to it 1st. Aycliffe then had an attack blocked twice resulting in a corner from which Gordon got up to catch the ball. In 96 minutes, Gordon got up to clear & a minute later he easily caught the ball. He then sent a long ball up to Pearson but him & the keeper collided with each other. The final whistle went soon after to confirm a stalemate.

A 2nd clean sheet in a row for the Stan who are undefeated in 5 league game but although they threatened, they failed to score at home for the 1st time this season. The Stan remain in the top half of the table at 10th while Newton Aycliffe remain 20th. The Stan travel on Saturday to Bradford Park Avenue for the 2nd time in 15 days. 

Stan Team: Gordon; Evans (Y); Stephenson; Payne (Robson 71); Capewell; Shepherd; Hopper (Lamb 71); Slaughter; Pearson (Y); Walker; Errington. Sub not used: Storey; Beattie; Adamson.  Attendance 361. MoM: Joe Shepherd.                           

Kevin Mochrie

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Heaton Stannington vs Bishop Auckland

After a wait of 47 days, the Stan return to home league action a day before the 90th anniversary of the 1st ever match at Willow Park, formerly known as both Newton Park & Grounsell Park. The only statistics that really matter though are that the Stan achieved 3 points, a clean sheet & are now up to 9th in the league. There was sad news though as Stan legend Harry the dog passed away yesterday although the Stan Army all had great memories of him & his flag stood proud at the far corner. There were no changes from Tuesday night’s historic win at Blyth Spartans & Dan Capewell was making his 50th start for the club.

On a beautiful afternoon, 639 fans turned up to watch the Stan host old foes Bishop Auckland. Most of the early action was in the Bishop box & after 6 minutes, Payne advanced down the left & supplied Errington who passed towards Hopper, but he just missed connecting with the ball. 5 minutes later & the Bishop keeper got down to save from Hopper. Soon after, Errington beat a player but his effort was headed clear. In 14 minutes, a Stan attack was cleared in the Bishop box. This was followed by another joined up Stan attack which eventually saw a ball from Errington going out of play. In 17 minutes, Hopper broke forward & supplied Pearson who was blocked for a corner. The 1st Bishop effort came in 20 minutes when Gordon had to catch. This was followed by a Bishop player heading over the Stan bar from a long throw. In 23 minutes, an Errington cross was deflected high by a defender & the Bishop keeper then managed to catch the ball. Soon after Walker broke but was offside. In 26 minutes, a Hopper header was blocked & although the ball went back in the move finished with Walker blasting the ball over the bar when he should have scored. A Hopper high cross into the box was then cleared. Almost immediately after, a loose Bishop ball allowed Hopper to tribble forward with the ball but his shot was well over. Gordon then had to clear twice but the Stan were in control of the game & the expected opening goal came in the 31st minute. A Slaughter long throw was headed on across the Bishop goal by Payne to Pearson on the right & he headed it into the top right corner. A minute later & the Stan attacked again. From the resulting corner the ball was initially cleared & although it was sent back in the Bishop keeper caught it. In 34 minutes, the Stan sent a long high ball up to Hopper but although both Hopper & the keeper got up for it, neither made contact & the ball landed in front of Pearson who blasted it into the net for 2-0. In 36 minutes, a sustained Stan attack eventually saw the ball headed outwards to Stephenson, but his shot was easily caught by the keeper. In 42 minutes, Errington won the ball & broke & although he was fouled, it was given against him. In 44 minutes, Shepherd could not get a touch on a ball into the Bishop box from a Stephenson corner. The half ended with the Stan in control & 2-0 up although the defence had worked well when required.

The 2nd half was a quieter & goalless affair although the Stan continued to play well & Bishop failed to make much of a threat. In 47 minutes, a Stan corner was cleared & 2 minutes a later a Stan ball went over the Bishop bar. It was all Stan until 51 minutes when a Bishop free kick was easily caught by Gordon. The ball was then sent up the other end with Pearson breaking & he made a good shot but the keeper made himself big & got a foot to it. Walker then shot wide as the Stan kept the pressure on. It was mainly 1 way traffic & Gordon wasn’t tested again until he had to catch twice after 68 minutes. In 74 minutes, Gordon got down to easily stop a long range Bishop effort. Walker then dribbled into the Bishop box & passed to Pearson but his pass was intercepted. Payne then recovered the ball but eventually lost it. Walker then advanced again & eventually passed to Hopper who made a great shot but the keeper somehow put the ball over the bar. From the resulting Stephenson corner, Capewell was fouled but nothing was given. The ball was then sent up towards the Stan goal but Gordon cleared. In 81 minutes, from another Stephenson corner, Hopper headed just wide. The Stan then shot just over. 3 minutes later & SDhepherd had to head clear followed bya  Bishop player shooting just over. In 86 minutes, sub Beattie advanced into the Bishop box & was brought down but nothing was given. In the last minute, Gordon made a good save. Into 4 minutes of added time & sub Lamb sent a curving shot just wide. He was then blocked before sub Adamson also advanced into the Bishop box & was blocked just before the final whistle.

It was a comfortable, confident & very watchable victory from the Stan & unlike on Tuesday night there was no late wobble. The Stan are now unbeaten in 5 league matches & continue to move up the league. Unfortunately for Bishop Auckland, who were a shadow of themselves compared to last season, they now sit at the bottom of the table. The Stan host another County Durham team on Wednesday when Newton Aycliffe are the visitors.                 

Kevin Mochrie

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Blyth Spartans vs Heaton Stannington

After a wait of 45 years, the Stan got only their 2nd win over Blyth Spartans on their 9th meeting but it was the 1st time that the 2 teams had met on league duty. It was a game of contrasts as the Stan romped to a 4-0 lead playing some of the best football that the Stan Army have seen them play under the management of Dean Nicolson & his assistant Andy McBride who have just signed contracts keeping them at the club until at least the end of next season. The last 20 minutes though saw a different performance as the Spartans came back into the game scoring 3 goals. More importantly though the Stan held on to get a historic & important win. There were 3 changes from Friday’s narrow Trophy defeat at Bradford Park Avenue with Gordon, Evans & Errington replacing Flynn, Beattie & Adamson.

A pleasant evening, in sharp contrast to the stormy conditions faced by the Stan on Friday, saw both teams trying to attack from the start. The Stan were looking positive & this paid off in 11 minutes when Stephenson crossed the ball into the home box & Hopper headed it into the net. The Stan kept attacking & in 18 minutes they were 2-0 up when a long ball to the advancing Errington saw him confidently slot the ball past the home keeper Baker. In 21 minutes, Baker caught the ball from a Shepherd headed effort. The Stan were looking comfortable while Spartans were not looking threatening. In 32 minutes, a Pearson counterattack saw him pass to Stephenson who was brought down just outside the box. The resulting Stephenson free kick went just wide but was deflected back to Slaughter who blasted the ball wide. In 38 minutes, the Stan were 3-0 up when a ball into the home box was deflected to Pearson on the left who blasted the ball into the net. In 40 minutes, Gordon got out to clear a Blyth break. In 41 minutes, an Errington cross was just missed in the centre of the 6 yard box by an advancing Pearson. 2 minutes later & Blyth shot through a busty Stan box & the ball was put out for a corner. From it, Gordon punched the ball out & it was then blasted over the bar by a Blyth player when he should have scored. The Stan kept attacking but the half ended still 3-0 with the Spartans looking like rabbits in headlights compared to the professional looking Stan although this was to change later in the 2nd half.

Blyth started the 2nd half on the attack but on 48 minutes Baker had to catch a headed effort from Errington. The joined-up Stan attacks continued & in 51 minutes a Stephenson shot was blocked. In 53 minutes, Pearson broke forward & supplied the advancing Payne who was brought down in the box but as the referee didn’t stop play, he managed while still on the ground to kick the ball into the open net to make it 4-0. In the aftermath, Spartans’ Slocombe was red carded for dissent. The Stan took advantage of the extra man & kept attacking. In 56 minutes, a ball from a Stephenson corner was headed clear but was sent back in & the move ended with Pearson putting the ball over the bar. In 60 minutes, Pearson replaced Slaughter & 2 minutes later Stephenson passed to Pearson who put the ball in the Spartans net but the flag was up. In 63 minutes, a rare Blyth attack saw a corner cleared. There were 2 more Stan substitutions in 64 minutes followed by another joined up Stan attack. In 67 minutes, Spartans shot high & wide followed by a 4th & final Stan substitution. 2 minutes later, a Spartans free kick just outside the side of the Stan box ended with a penalty being awarded for a foul on a player. The Spartans 70th minute penalty hit the underside of the bar but then went into the net. Milburn was then sent off for dissent. Gordon had to get down to save in the 75th minute. A minute later a Blyth free kick at the edge of the box went straight across the goal & out when a home player should have connected with it. In 80 minutes, a Blyth attack saw the ball go into the busy Stan box & was put into the net at the right post. A minute later & an Errington speculative shot from outside the box goes went just wide. Adamson then broke through but Baker got to the ball 1st. In 82 minutes, a long range Spartans shot forced a great stretching save from Gordon. From the resulting corner, the ball was eventually cleared. In 84 minutes, Errington broke & passed towards the advancing Storey but Baker got out to clear the ball 1st. In 86 minutes, a Blyth corners saw Gordon punch the ball clear & it went back in forcing a great save from him but he could not hold onto the ball & it was slotted into the net to reduce the Stan lead to 1 goal. The last few minutes were nerve racking for the Stan Army starting in the 88th when Gordon blocked a Spartan player from shooting. The ball from the resulting corner was eventually cleared by Stephenson who sent it long to Storey but Baker blocked his shot. The Spartans countered & won a corner. From it the ball was scrambled clear & resulted in another corner which ended with Spartans shooting just wide. Into 4 added minutes & Gordon caught a Blyth effort followed by an Adamson shot at the other end being cleared. In 92 minutes, a long high ball into the Stan box was punched clear by Gordon for a corner. From it, the ball was initially cleared but a follow up Spartans shot hit the Stan post. The Stan were just hanging onto their lead although after a Stan attack the referee blew the final whistle to the relief of the Stan Army.

Despite a very nervous finish, the Stan deservedly took all 3 points. They have jumped up to 11th place while Spartans are 18th & only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. The Stan now host Bishop Auckland on Saturday.                    

Kevin Mochrie

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Bradford Park Avenue vs Heaton Stannington

After a great 2nd half comeback, it was not enough to stop the Stan being knocked out of the FA Trophy after reaching the 3rd Qualifying Round for the 1st time against ex-football league club Bradford Park Avenue. The Stan were not helped by Storm Amy & a time challenged home keeper. Although both teams had to bear the torrential swirling rain, they also both had to face a half each playing into the strong winds. Overall, the Stan dealt with the conditions better although Park Avenue had more luck with them. There were 5 changes from Saturday’s away draw against Pontefract with Flynn, Beattie, Capewell, Shepherd & Adamson replacing cup tied Gordon, Evans, Robson, Milburn & Errington.

There was a quiet start as both teams tried to adapt to the dreadful conditions although most of the play early on was in the Stan half as PA had the wind behind them. Even so, the Stan got 3 corners in a row starting in the 5th minute. From the 3rd corner, Adamson headed just wide. PA then got their 1st effort but shot well wide. Flynn then easily caught another home effort. In 10 minutes, a Stephenson free kick was just missed by Capewell. 2 minutes later & the Stan won the ball allowing Adamson to break but he was knocked off the ball as he got near the keeper. In 13 minutes, a PA free kick near halfway was caught by the wind & although Flynn got his hands to it he couldn’t hold on & it went into the net. Despite the unfortunate goal, the Stan kept battling & attacking & in 18 minutes, a Slaughter free kick went long to Hopper who advanced under pressure & his shot hit the post which sent the ball just left of the post but Adamson couldn’t get his foot to it to slot it into the net & the ball was cleared.. In 20 minutes, a PA wind assisted free kick went out for a corner from which the ball was scrambled clear. In 22 minutes, a curling home shot was deflected just over for a corner. From the corner, the ball went back out from the busy box & was sent back in high & wind assisted to be headed into the net just as Flynn was about to catch it. So, after 23 minutes it was now surprisingly 2-0 to PA & Amy. After a quieter period, PA shot over under pressure in 29 minutes. The Stan were trying to attack despite the wind barrier getting stronger. In 30 minutes Pearson was fouled in the home box but PA were awarded the foul. In 32 minutes, Slaughter blocked a home shot & Flynn had to make a great save in the 35th minute. PA then got a corner which saw the ball cleared up into the air by a Stan player only for it to hit the cross-bar wind assisted. The storm was at its peak now & in 38 minutes a home player shot wide. In 39 minutes, a sustained Stan attack included the ball being headed clear. In 44 minutes, Hopper advanced & crossed to Pearson who passed back to Stephenson but he shot high & wide. The Stan had played well in the 1st half & were unlucky to be behind at half time let alone by a 2-goal margin.

With the wind behind them now, the Stan restarted positively & sent the ball just over the bar from a corner in the 47th minute. In 50 minutes, a PA player shot well over followed by Hopper at the other end shooting only just over. It was mainly pressure from the Stan as the rain went off but the wind remained strong. In 59 minutes, Beattie intercepted the ball & sent it up but Hall, the home keeper, got to it just before Pearson. A Flynn wind assisted ball then went out for a bye before Hopper could get to it. In 65 minutes, Walker, who was having a good game, sent a long ball to sub Errington who broke forward but shot straight at Hall. It was mainly Stan possession now as the heavy rain returned. In 70 minutes, Slaughter started a great combined move which ended in Errington forcing Hall to make a great save. The ball was sent back into the home box & Beattie was brought down but no penalty was given. The Stan then had another shot which saw Hall get down to save. In 73 minutes, a Bradford attack was cleared. In 76 minutes, during a Stan attack, a poor clearance by Hall saw the ball go out to Hopper who from about 40 yards saw his shot fly into the net for 1-2. What a goal! 2 minutes later & a long ball from Stephenson to Pearson saw him put the ball wide. In 81 minutes, a home attack was headed clear by Shepherd. In 86 minutes, Errington broke forward & was blocked but the ball was sent back into the box by Payne who supplied Stephenson but his shot was blocked for a corner. Into 6 minutes of added & very windy time, & a common theme of this end period was Hall trying to disrupt & time waste which he is eventually was booked for. In 92 minutes, an advancing Hopper stopped the ball going out for a home bye kick but although he was held back he was booked & a foul awarded PA. In 95 minutes, Pearson forced a corner which saw Flynn come up for but it was cleared for a Stan throw in. There was a slight wobble when Walker did not clear allowing a home player to get the ball although Flynn came out & made himself big & blocked the ball. The ball went back to the home player but Stephenson managed to clear it. The Stan kept pressurising, when the ball wasn’t on the athletics track, but the match ended with defeat.

After giving great effort in poor conditions, the Stan did not deserve to lose & will feel aggrieved that the match did not at least end with a draw & a penalty shoot-out. The Stan are back on league duty on Tuesday when they travel to take on Blyth Spartans in the 1st ever league meeting between the 2 teams after numerous cup encounters.

Kevin Mochrie

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