Season: 2025-26

Ossett United vs Heaton Stannington

A frustrating night at Ossett United’s Ingfield Stadium saw the Stan pick up a point, in a game that will only be remembered for dubious decisions and moments of controversy when reflected back upon in years to come.

Alfie Gordon started in goal for the first time, having signed from Bishop Auckland earlier in the day, and although perhaps not kept too busy, what he was called upon to do was done well and earned him the man of the match award on his debut.

Ossett had the game’s first chances, with one corner scrambled away by the Stan defence on 13 minutes, and then an effort from the left hand side of the penalty area whistling past the far post a minute later.

The Stan’s first opportunity, and perhaps best chance of the whole game, arrived on 17 minutes when Dale Pearson slipped a ball through the Ossett backline into the path of Konner Lamb, who was closed down quickly by the keeper Petrovic before his shot could do any real damage.

Another chance came along a few minutes later, this time Pearson on the receiving end of a long diagonal ball from Slaughter on the halfway line. The striker surged into the left flank, controlled the ball and headed for goal but again Petrovic came out to stop.

Ossett were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area midway into the first half which was curled ever-so-slightly wide.

Alfie Gordon was called into serious action for the first time just after the restart. An Ossett player got onto the end of a neat flick-on inside the area, got to the by-line and tried to drive the ball into danger, but Gordon got down to prevent an opportunity to tap into an empty net.

Ben Milburn found himself with an opportunity in a similar position at the other end after good work to beat a defender. He cut in from the right and shaped up a shot with his left, not enough power or precision to trouble Petrovic.

Midway into the second half, the Stan were reduced to ten men. Joe Robson had already been the recipient of one of the game’s 11 yellow cards, but received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Despite a man disadvantage, the Stan battled valiantly and almost carved out an unlikely lead on 69 minutes when Leighton Hopper slung a ball in from the left, with Jay Errington just a fraction away from making a connection and stabbing it home.

A back-and-forth ensued with both sides desperately trying to get ahead, with both goalkeepers busy. Gordon took the sting out a long range effort, gathering at the second attempt, and moments later at the other end, Petrovic got down low to stop a fairly tame effort, flicked on from a deep Stan free kick.

To take a point from a game where it felt at points that the odds were simply stacked against them will have ultimately been positive for Dean Nicholson and his men, even if it felt wounding at parts.

The Stan return to Ingfield in just four days time when they face Pontefract Collieries, who are currently ground sharing with Ossett while refurbishment work takes place at their Beechnut Lane home 15 miles away.

Liam Milburn

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Heaton Stannington vs Newton Aycliffe

Heaton Stannington are through to the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time in the club’s history after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over fellow Pitching In Northern Premier League side Newton Aycliffe in terribly wet conditions.

The result was a reverse of the score from the last meeting between these two sides, but this time the game was allowed to finish without any numerical reductions. The Stan made just one change from the league win at Brighouse, Dale Pearson returning to the starting line-up for Bailey Adamson who dropped to the bench.

The away side showed some promise early on, forcing Stan goalkeeper Tom Flynn to collect the ball low at his near post on 6 minutes. Minutes later, a counter attack saw Connor Walker play an exquisite through ball for Leighton Hopper to run onto, but the shot was blocked and cleared by a defender.

The Stan started to gain some momentum and on 13 minutes, Dale Pearson was found by a laser-focused defence-and-midfield-splitting pass by skipper Richie Slaughter, but his one-on-one finish was soft and too central to get past the Aycliffe keeper Kyle Seymour who pushed it low to his right. Pearson would get another opportunity to take the lead on 19 minutes, on the receiving end of a classic Dan Stephenson ball from deep, but his attempt to flick the ball beyond Seymour was batted away.

The breakthrough came on 20 minutes, and just as he did at Brighouse last Saturday, Ben Milburn scored the Stan’s first goal of the afternoon from a Stephenson corner, this time running into the centre to plant a header into the far post behind him. Two-in-two for the centre back who is becoming a firm fan’s favourite in black and white.

Aycliffe tried to hit back and forced Flynn into action twice in the following ten minutes. Their first attempt was a whipped free kick from just in front of Dean and Andy’s dugout which the Stan keeper came out to punch away, and on the half-hour mark, Flynn had to concentrate as an Aycliffe player took a low shot from the edge of a congested penalty area, but he got down to claim it.

The Stan turned up the heat immediately after, and moments after Hopper was denied by the goalkeeper following good work from Connor Walker to carry the ball into the box and a neat pass from Dale Pearson to set up the shot, the Stan would double their lead on 33 minutes. An aggressive press deep into the Aycliffe half returned the ball to Stan possession and began a passing move on the slick, wet playing surface. The 14th pass of the move was a through ball to feed Hopper who drove into the area, cut past a defender onto his left foot and cushioned the ball past the Aycliffe keeper.

The away side almost had a route back into the match on 39 minutes when a dangerous corner was met by a blue shirted head in the box, only to be blocked on the line by Milburn and carried out of danger by a Stan teammate. Before the end of the half, Aycliffe flashed a ball across the six-yard box without someone on the end of it to stab it home, and Flynn and his defence would be required to make a number of stops and blocks to keep out a persistent attack.

The Stan wanted to make sure of progression to the next round and started the second half strong, with Max Storey coming close to his maiden Stan goal on 53 minutes with a first-time shot from the left, too central to be an issue for Seymour. Pearson had another attempt to notch a minute later after being threaded through by a wonderful Alex Payne ball. He did well to hold off his man with his strength, but the finish ended up on the wrong side of the near post.

The third goal eventually came on the hour mark, with substitute Konner Lamb making gains down the left, slipping in Connor Walker who held the ball up at the by-line and cut it inside for Hopper who prodded home his second of the game and fifth of an already-fruitful campaign.

From here, the game became one-way traffic as the forwards all queued up to get their name on the scoresheet. Hopper turned provider for Lamb on 65 minutes, the fans were already celebrating when the ball was slipped under the advancing keeper, but the finish inexplicably struck the base of the post and bounced to safety. Lamb would have another crack five minutes later, cutting in from the right to shoot on his left, but an easy catch for Seymour.

A fourth goal would eventually follow, but only after several other chances to get there were spurned or stopped. On 78 minutes, Lamb found himself in space down the right, playing a peach of a low ball into the centre for Jay Errington whose shot was decent, but matched by Seymour who made himself big. The ball flew up into the air ready for the head of Bailey Adamson, but from six yards out, his attempted plant went over the bar.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Andy Burn won the ball back on the halfway line, played it forward for Adamson who fed Lamb down the right, again managing to link up for Errington in the centre, but again stopped by Seymour.

Adamson and Errington would both go close again as normal time concluded, but the elusive fourth goal did finally come in injury time and in some style, as Dan Stephenson was found in acres of space in the centre by Konner Lamb. The keeper advanced as Stephenson got into the D, and the ball was cheekily chipped over Seymour to cap off an impressive result and an even more impressive performance. The 287 supporters who braved the driving rain which rarely let up over the course of the afternoon were rewarded for their attendance with arguably the finest showing of the season so far, with the promise of even greater levels still to reach.

The Stan will discover their opponents for the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round on Monday, but focus will return to the Pitching In Northern Premier League for a trip to Ossett United on Tuesday, where the Stan could make it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, and four on the bounce in all competitions.

Liam Milburn

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Brighouse Town vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan have secured their first away win of the season, coming from behind to beat Brighouse 3-1.

Dean Nicholson’s men – wearing white shorts alongside their new Hummel home shirts – started brightly with Connor Walker having a shot blocked inside the first 60 seconds, followed by a missed swing at the ball by Bailey Adamson, then an attempted pile-driver by Dan Stephenson which was blocked before it could test the home keeper.

Moments later the pressure continued, as a quick Stan attack saw Stephenson drive into the box from left back, receiving the ball and shooting first time with his effort stopped by a defender.

The momentum in the first quarter of the match was all with the away side in a dominant spell where the opening goal looked inevitable – just a matter of time – but the balance started to swing midway through the half, and the home side registered their first effort on goal when Slaughter gave the ball away in midfield and Nathan Curtis tried to catch Stan goalkeeper Tom Flynn off his line. One of the better efforts from halfway but no real danger.

The home side’s confidence continued to grow, and on 37 minutes, they opened the scoring. A high ball from the back was flicked on into the right channel, the winger got to the by-line and squared for Kane Richardson to tap in at the back post.

Brighouse almost made the Stan task more difficult just before the break with Romario Dunne flashing a powerful effort wide before the break. With the whistle about to blow for half time, Alex Payne cracked the post on his first league start of the season.

Whatever was said by Dean, Andy and the returning Nick Cassidy at half time clearly made an impact as the Stan came out swinging, and could’ve had a swift response on 49 minutes when an inviting ball from Max Storey on the right was directed towards goal by the head of Leighton Hopper, forcing the Brighouse keeper Acquah into a brilliant close range save.

Hopper and Storey combined again seven minutes later, this time Leighton sending the ball in for Max who controlled it and put it into the six yard box for Payne, blocked by the defender.

On 65 minutes, finally a breakthrough for the Stan and a first goal in Stan colours for Ben Milburn. Dan Stephenson sent in a wicked ball from a corner, and Milburn met it in the six yard box with a thunderous half volley into the top corner.

Fifteen minutes later, another Stephenson corner produced another goal, this time not quite as photogenic as the ball pinballed around the six yard box before finally being prodded in by Alex Payne, also scoring in black and white for the very first time.

The game was wrapped up with five minutes of normal time remaining in some style. Substitute Konner Lamb was dragged back on his way towards goal, which allowed Richie Slaughter a chance to take a free kick midway into the Brighouse half. The Stan skipper spotted Lamb ahead of him with just one man marking him and sent the ball forward straight to feet. A defender to Konner’s left sensed the danger and joined his teammate, but Lamb took glee in using his first touch to control, and his second to get between the pair of them, firing into the far top corner with his third from the edge of the area.

A deserved three points on the road, and back to back wins in all competitions following the visit of Emley eight days ago. Attention now turns back to the FA Trophy where Newton Aycliffe are the visitors in the 2nd Qualifying Round next Saturday.

Liam Milburn

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Heaton Stannington v Emley

The Stan bounced back from 2 defeats with a well-deserved 2-0 win over strong opposition in the form of league rivals Emley from Yorkshire. Not only did they achieve a comfortable win in just their 2nd season & 3rd match in the FA Trophy, but they also played well & kept a clean sheet. There were 5 changes from the narrow FA Cup defeat at Blue Star with Flynn, Hopper, Payne, Adamson & Storey replacing Brass, Slaughter, Pearson, Errington & Lamb. 

The Friday night match, in front of a crowd of 372, started with an Emley attack being cleared. Although it was end to end, the 1st half hour contained little to report. The Emley keeper, Lambton, came out to clear in the 3rd minute but nothing else really happened until the 14th minute when a great cross from Walker to Stephenson saw his shot easily caught by Lambton. He made an easy save again from a Storey effort in 18 minutes. Flynn had to get up to save a minute later. In 23 minutes, an Emley attack was cleared then blocked & the move finished with a high shot going well over the Stan bar. Soon after an Emley counterattack was blocked by Milburn. In 26 minutes, a ball from an Emley corner was blocked & a Stan counterattack came to nothing. It was still end to end & in 34 minutes a Stepheson free kick into the Emley box was cleared & Robson’s rebound effort was caught by Lambton. In the 35th minute, a Payne counterattack saw the keeper come out to almost the halfway line to clear. The ball was sent back up to Hopper who lobbed the retreating keeper, who had only managed to reach the edge of his box, & the ball went into the net for 1-0. In 37 minutes, a Stan effort was blocked by Lambton. 2 minutes later & an Emley free kick was blocked in the Stan box & although the ball was sent back in, it was cleared by Adamson & Payne. In 41 minutes, Storey shot just wide from the edge of the box. Flynn easily caught a long-range effort 2 minutes later & the half ended with another Stan advance which saw Lambton catch the ball.

The 2nd half started positively with both teams again trying to attack. In 48 minutes, Robson had to head clear. A minute later he headed clear again from a corner which was followed by a Stan counterattack led by Walker, & a great opportunity, which ended with Stephenson only having the Emley keeper to beat but Lambton managed to block his effort. In 53 minutes, after some sustained Stan pressure, a Hopper effort was cleared. 3 minutes later & a Walker diagonal ball into the Emley box was missed by Hopper & went just wide. A long-range free kick from the Stan was then caught by Lambton at the 2nd attempt. In 62 minutes, Robson advanced down the right & into the box, but Lambton punched the ball clear under pressure. In 64 minutes, the Stan doubled their lead through a great goal when they won the ball allowing Payne to advance towards the Emley box & he passed to Walker who chipped the advancing Lambton to make it 2-0. In 69 minutes, a Storey high ball into the Emley box was headed clear. 2 minutes later & a sub Burn effort went high & wide. The Stan were still trying to add to their 2 goals & although Emley had not given up they did not really pose a threat as the Stan defence dealt well when the ball came near their box. In 84 minutes, Hopper advanced with the ball &, under pressure, sent a curling shot just wide. Soon after, Lambton got to the ball just before the advancing sub Lamb. There was then a long range Emley effort which went just wide in the Stan box. In the 90th minute, Hopper won a corner which Stephenson sent across goal but it was high & wide. In the 4th of 5 minutes of added time, Emley sent a long range effort well over the Stan bar. In the 96th minute, sub Groves landed awkwardly, breaking his collar bone, & had to be stretchered off. The Stan were down to 10 men but the match finished soon after when Hopper supplied Stephenson who forced a save from Lambton which was followed by an Emley counterattack that came to nothing.

So, the Stan deservedly remain on the Trophy route to Wembley & the win should also boost confidence with regards to their league campaign which resumes in 8 days’ time when they travel to Brighouse Town.                              

Kevin Mochrie

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Newcastle Blue Star vs Heaton Stannington

The Stan’s FA Cup dream ended for another season as Newcastle Blue Star sneaked a late winner in a match that looked like ending in a relatively uneventful goalless draw. A strong forward line failed to bring the goals that the Stan Army anticipated but at the other end Blue Star, of Northern League Division 1, threatened even less apart from in the final minutes of the game. Despite the close proximity of each club, it was the 1st time that the Stan had played the current version of Blue Star competitively. There were 5 changes from Monday’s defeat by Consett with Stephenson, Milburn, Walker, Pearson & Lamb replacing Groves, Beattie, Shepherd, Burn & Hopper. Konner Lamb was making his 1st start of the season after a long period of injury.

With a hint of cup fever, & on a blustery & showery afternoon in Scotswood, the match started with both teams trying to attack. After an initial Stan attack came to nothing, Blue Star had a free kick into the Stan box blocked twice. 3 minutes later & Brass made an easy catch followed by 2 Stan attacks with the 2nd ending with a Walker shot being blocked. Another Stan attack was cleared in the box & in 10 minutes the hosts had to head another ball clear. 3 minutes later & a good joined up Stan attack ended with Lamb blasting the ball over the bar. After a period of Stan possession, Blue Star next threatened in 16 minutes when a long-range effort went over the bar. Both teams were still trying to attack but the Stan were having slightly more possession. In 26 minutes, Blue Star were awarded a corner from a Brass kick out when the referee misinterpreted the new 8 second rule. Both Blue Star & the Stan had attacks cleared & the next clear threat was in 31 minutes when, from a free kick, Capewell headed the wrong way followed by a Milburn long range effort going over the bar. From a Stan corner 2 minutes later, Capewell headed just wide. In 37 minutes, a poor clearance by the home keeper saw Lamb intercept the ball & shoot just over the bar. The Stan kept the pressure on &, from a corner, a Stephenson effort from just outside the box just missed going into the top far corner of the net. The Stan had 2 more corners & another Lamb advance, but the final ball continued to let them down & the half ended goalless.

The 2nd minute after the restart saw a Blue Star free kick into the Stan box blocked. This was followed by a period of sustained Stan pressure although the Blue Star defence worked well to thwart their efforts. In 59 minutes, a Stephenson corner ball was initially missed & the ball was then blasted over the bar. Blue Star then had an attack cleared in the box before a Lamb attack was blocked. Slaughter then sent a long ball to Lamb on the edge of the box & although 1 on 1 with the keeper he blasted the ball wide under pressure from an advancing defender. In 65 minutes, from a corner, a Walker shot hit off a defender & out for a corner from which Milburn headed over. Lamb had 2 more unsuccessful attempts. In 71 minutes, from a corner, Blue Star just missed putting the ball into the Stan net. The Stan had more pressure & in 84 minutes Milburn passed to sub Adamson who was under pressure & the keeper just got to the ball 1st. Milburn had to clear twice at the other end followed by a Blue Star counterattack in the 87th minute which ended with them shooting just wide after pressure from Stephenson. In the 88th minute, just as it looked like a replay was looming, another Blue Star attack saw the ball crossed to the advancing Burke who blasted the ball past Brass & into the net. The Stan team & army were shocked as Blue Star had only began to look dangerous in the last few minutes. Into 5 minutes of added time & Pearson sliced wide from a corner. The Stan continued to try to attack but it came to nothing. 

Despite deserving at least a replay, it was not be a happy ending for the Stan in the Newcastle Derby played in front of 813 supporters. Overall, in a lacklustre match, it was a below standard performance from the Stan & they did not deliver the level of threat expected especially against lower level opposition. The Stan continue in cup action on Friday night when they start on the 2nd possible route to Wembley by hosting Emley in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.                                   

Kevin Mochrie

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