The Stan were back to winning ways in front of crowd of 562 who saw them go 5 points clear of relegation with 2 games to play. This Good Friday match did not see either team crucified although the Stan deserved their win despite the visitors from Yorkshire getting a late goal. There were 3 changes from the defeat at Newton Aycliffe last Saturday with Turnbull, Burn & Errington replacing Marriott, Slaughter & Adamson. Brass’s suspension had not started & Hopper’s red card had been overturned.

The match started with Turnbull slipping allowing Liversedge to advance but Capewell got in front of their advancing player & cleared on the edge of the Stan box. The Stan had a corner in the 5^th minute from which the visiting keeper collected. Liversedge then advanced but Evans forced the ball out for a bye kick. The Stan then advanced but Walker shot wide under pressure. 2 minutes later & Liversedge shot wide under pressure. Both teams were trying to attack &, after a quieter period, the visitors had to head clear twice in 17 minutes as Errington tried to pressurise their defence. In 21 minutes, the visiting keeper easily caught followed by Turnbull heading clear at the other end & although the ball went back into the Stan box Liversedge headed it wide under pressure. In 24 minutes, Lamb ran into the box & passed to the advancing Hopper, but the keeper blocked his shot for a corner.. From the corner, the keeper caught the ball on the line. The visiting keeper blocked a Lamb shot & in 31 minutes Brass got down to save from a corner. After a period of Stan pressure Liversedge had a free kick headed clear by Burn in 37 minutes. Both teams continued to try & attack & in 41 minutes an Errington shot from a tight angle was easily collected by the keeper. In a closely contested 1^st half, it was the Stan who took the lead just before half time in the 1^st minute of added time. Lamb advanced into the Liversedge box & although he was pushed to the ground as he was about to shoot, & the ball was cleared, only a corner was awarded. From the corner though, Capewell headed the ball towards the net & although his header was blocked on the line, the resulting scramble ended with Lamb forcing the ball into the net.

Liversedge started the 2^nd half by almost levelling the score when a shot on goal saw Brass dive & miss the ball, but Evans headed the ball clear when it looked like it was going into the net. In the 47^th minute though it was the Stan who extended their lead when Errington blasted the ball into the Liversedge net from outside the box. The visiting keeper had to make a save from a Lamb effort 2 minutes later. In 51 minutes Liversedge saw a long range effort swerve wide. In 59 minutes, an Errington shot was blocked & Walker’s rebound shot was blocked. 3 minutes later & Brass easily caught from a header. Liversedge then shot across the Stan goal, but the ball went just wide. Brass easily caught an effort in 66 minutes followed by Lamb shooting well over. Hopper was then brought down just outside the Liversedge box but Stephenson’s free kick was blocked. From the resulting throw in, Errington’s overhead kick was caught by the keeper. Robson, who had a great game, won the ball & suppled Lamb but the move came to nothing. In 72 minutes, Errington supplied Hopper who was brought down in the box but only a corner was given. From it, Lamb sliced his effort over the bar. In 75 minutes, Stephenson sliced his shot wide from a good position. Brass then had to make a good save from close range to deny a good Liversedge effort. After a sub Payne long range effort had been easily caught, a great move by Lamb saw him supply Grove but his ball into the box was blocked. There were weak efforts at either end before, in 84 minutes, Lamb supplied Payne who shot just wide. Liversedge shot wide in 87 minutes & they got a goal back 2 minutes later when, under pressure from Brass, Carr forced the ball into the Stan net. Into 3 minutes of added time & the Stan had an attack blocked followed by Brass easily catching at the other end.

It was a well-deserved hard-working win for a determined Stan who now know safety is in their own hands. Unfortunately, the Stan victory confirmed relegation for Liversedge. The Stan now visit Ashington on Easter Monday & a win there will mean that they are definitely safe and will be playing 4^th tier non-league football for a 2^nd season.

Kevin Mochrie

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It was 2 wins & 2 clean sheets in 6 days for the Stan & their well-deserved victory over North East rivals Bishop Auckland saw them move up to 12^th place. They are now 3 points & 7 places from the relegation zone with 8 teams basically battling to avoid 4^th bottom & relegation. The Stan scored twice late in the 1^st half & although Bishop tried to fight back in the 2^nd half the Stan held on for a well-deserved victory. There was 1 change from last week’s win at Grimsby with Marriott replacing Payne.

The Stan showed they meant business from kick off in this Friday night fixture & in the 3^rd minute a great Marriott volley diagonally into the box went just over the bar. 7 minutes later & Slaughter’s 25 yard rocket hit the post. Lamb tried to get a rebound effort in but the ball was blocked for a corner. Brass then had to make his only save of the 1^st half. A twisting run by Walker in 16 minutes ended with him being pulled down but nothing was given. In 21 minutes, Lamb was put through & although the keeper couldnt get to his shot it went wide of the post. 2 minutes later Walker shot wide from outside the box as the Stan kept the pressure on. In 30 minutes Lamb forced a save from the Bishop keeper. The expected goal for the Stan finally came in the 38^th minute when Stephenson sent a cross into the Bishop box which Capewell flicked on to Hopper who forced the ball into the net at the far post. Into added time & a powerful shot from Walker was only stopped by a good save by the keeper. In the 3^rd minute of added time, the Stan went 2-0 up from a corner when Stephenson sent the ball into the box for Marriott to head into the Bishop net.

The 2^nd half started slower than the end of the 1^st & the 1^st effort was from Bishop in 54 minutes when a header from a long throw was deflected wide for a corner. Both teams were relatively quiet although it was Bishop who threatened more as the half went on. In 77 minutes, Bishop shot wide. In 82 minutes, after a Stan free kick had come to nothing, Bishop had an attack cleared. 2 minutes later they had another attack cleared although the ball was sent back in & Brass had to get up to catch. Into added time & both teams had attacks blocked.

It was a comfortable & deserved win for the Stan who worked hard throughout the match & never looked like surrendering their 2-0 half time lead. They now have momentum going into next Saturday’s away fixture at Newton Aycliffe.

Kevin Mochrie

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After 2 successive wins, it was a bad day at the office for the Stan as this 6-pointer ended up in a defeat against clinical Bridlington Town when, partly because of other results the Stan could have gone 3 points clear of the relegation zone & jumped above 3 other teams in the league. There were 2 changes from last week’s 3-1 win at Ossett with Slaughter & Hopper replacing Marriott & Errington.

On Non-League Day, both teams started out trying to attack. The 1^st clear effort came for Bridlington in the 5^th minute although Brass easily caught. Hall in the Bridlington goal then caught a Walker effort from a corner. In the 8^th minute, Turnbull & Evans both had to clear after a Bridlington free kick. A minute later & Bridlington shot over the Stan bar followed by a Stan free kick being cleared. In the 12^th minute, the visitors were in the lead when, from a corner, Evans headed the ball clear but it went back in & Coulson got his head to it to put the ball into the net. After a quieter period, the Stan were back level in the 18^th minute when Burn sent a ball through the Bridlington defence to the advancing Adamson who then was in on Hall & he confidently slotted the ball post him for his 1^st league goal & his 2^nd in 2 games. Both teams knew the game was still there to win & in 24 minutes Walker shot just over. Slaughter & Shepherd then both had to clear. The Stan then had an attack partially cleared but the ball went back into the visitors’ box & Capewell’s header was blocked. Bridlington countered but the move was stopped on the edge of the Stan box by Turnbull. Soon after, Turnbull had to block again. Almost immediately, in the 28^th minute, Capewell cleared in the busy 6-yard box but the ball went out to Coulson who blasted it through the body of players & into the Stan net for 1-2. Both teams still tried to attack & in 35 minutes a ball across the Stan goal was missed by everyone. Bridlington then won a corner from which Evans headed clear, but the ball went back in & was cleared after a scramble. In the 40^th minute, Walker shot wide through a crowd of players. Both teams finished the half trying to attack but Bridlington had more of the ball in the 1^st half overall as well as a 1 goal lead at half time.

The Stan started the 2^nd half with an attack being cleared but things went from bad to worse in the 47^th minute. A high ball into the Stan box was eventually cleared but Bridlington sent the ball back in & Evans tackled a player on the bye line & a penalty was awarded. Coulson got his hat-trick in the 48^th minute when he converted the penalty. 3 minutes later & Shepherd cleared the ball from a Bridlington corner although the Stan counterattack was stopped. In 56 minutes, a Bridlington long range effort went wide. There was then some Stan pressure, but they took a while to get the ball into the Bridlington box & the move ended after Turnbull’s cross resulted in Adamson’s effort going just wide. In the 59^th minute there was a triple substitution for the Stan. In the 64^th minute there was some pressure from the Stan when sub Lamb was in on Hall & forced a throw in. The Stan were now getting more of the ball but with no clear end product until a Capewell effort went wide in the 70^th minute. In 73 minutes, Slaughter’s corner was headed clear & Lamb’s long range rebound effort was blocked. The ball went back out to Lamb who shot again but Hall caught the ball. The Stan pressure continued & a great diagonal ball by Turnbull was collected by Lamb but he was deemed to be offside. In 76 minutes, a long ball from Brass saw both Adamson & Lamb blocked. Bridlington then had their 1^st attack for a while which resulted in a corner. From it, a long ball allowed Lamb to counter, but he lost the ball under pressure. After some more Stan pressure, Bridlington attacked twice in the 81^st minute with the 2^nd one involving the ball going across the Stan goal but it was missed by everyone. The Stan then attacked & Lamb was brought down although the resulting free kick came to nothing. In 85 minutes, Evans cleared from 2 Bridlington corners. In 88 minutes, it was 4-1 to Bridlington when a free kick into the Stan box was headed into the net at the back post by Allan. Sub Errington then had an effort cleared as the match entered 5 minutes of added time. He then headed well wide followed by Hall easily catching the ball. The match ended with a ball from a Stan corner being cleared.

This poor performance by the Stan, including few clear chances created, & no points means that they drop into the relegation zone & are 2 points from safety. There is still everything to play for though with 6 games to go starting with the trip next Saturday to Grimsby Borough.

Kevin Mochrie

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The Stan failed to take the opportunity to achieve an important win against a team 3 points above them & despite very limited goal scoring opportunities for Grimsby Borough, it was the visitors who left with all 3 points. There were 5 changes from last week’s home defeat by Carlton with Marriott, Stephenson, Burn, Adamson & Hopper replacing Evans, Groves, Robson, Errington & Lamb.

The match started positively for the Stan with Hopper, Payne & Adamson combining going forward. After 5 minutes Stephenson got into the box but his shot was blocked & the follow up shot went wide from Burn. In 21 minutes, there was a good opportunity for the Stan when Adamson sent the ball into the busy Grimsby penalty box but Payne wasn’t quick enough to take advantage at the back post. Against the run of play, & with their 1^st effort of the match, Grimsby were ahead after 25 minutes when Fenwick scored from a deflected shot. It was all pressure from Grimsby after the goal & they nearly scored again in 29 minutes when Drury shot just wide. 2 minutes later & the Stan showed they had not given up when Slaughter shot just over. After a quieter period, just before half time Stephenson crossed to Adamson who headed wide. In the 2^nd minute of added time, Adamson had a great opportunity from a cross but tried to control the ball rather than shoot.

4 minutes after the restart, Errington blasted over the bar from just inside the box. In 54 minutes, Turnbull headed wide from a Stephenson corner. Slaughter then sent a long throw into the Grimsby box but no one was able to put the ball in the net. In 74 minutes, after a Grimsby time wasting attempt, Groves was shown a red card. Grimsby took advantage of the extra player & 2 minutes later they were 2-0 up when Burden-Whittleton advanced into the Stan box & sent his shot into the bottom right corner of the net. Shepherd got a goal back for the Stan in 82 minutes, but time was running out. 2 minutes later Walker sent a great shot towards goal, but it hit an off side Stan player in the stomach. The Stan kept pressing & in the 1^st minute of added time Capewell headed at the keeper & the match finished with Walker shooting wide & Grimsby holding on for a win.

The Stan were undeservedly sunk by their fishing port visitors & they remain 1 place above the drop zone on goal difference. Next up is a huge match for the club on Tuesday when they host Newcastle United Under 21s in the semi final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Kevin Mochrie

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The Stan’s undefeated run of 10 points from 4 games came to a sudden & unexpected end against mid table Carlton Town. It was a poor performance from the Stan against an average team but one that took their chances. There were 2 changes from last week’s important draw at Emley with Slaughter & Lamb replacing Burn & Hopper.

Both teams started positively, including with Lamb pressing, but the 1^st chance wasn’t until the 4^th minute when a Carlton free kick came to nothing. Groves then sent a free kick into the box but Capewell’s shot, after a touch on from Turnbull, was blocked for a corner which then went wide. In the 9^th minute, a Carlton attack saw the ball deflected for a corner which then saw the ball being cleared twice. The ball then seemed to remain mainly in the middle of the park until some Carlton pressure in the 16^th minute which ended with a curling shot from the edge of the Stan box which went just wide. The Stan were not holding onto the ball even though they were winning it. In the 20^th minute Errington advanced passing to Walker on the right who kept the ball in & supplied Evans who was blocked for a corner. Groves corner ball went straight to the keeper. Carlton then shot well over. In 23 minutes, A Groves free kick into the box was headed clear & the ball went but back in but was cleared again. In 26 minutes, a Carlton free kick was initially cleared but a rebound shot which was blasted from outside the box was put over the bar by a great stretching save by Brass. In the 27^th minute, Brass blocked the ball from the corner with his feet but he couldn’t collect it & it was forced into the net by Sargent from the resulting scramble for 0-1. In 29 minutes, Errington was blocked as he entered the Carlton box but only a foul was given in the D. The resulting Grove free kick went straight through the wall to the visiting keeper. 3 minutes later a Carlton free kick was cleared followed by a Grove free kick being caught by the Carlton keeper. Carlton then had a free kick cleared with the long shot rebound effort being deflected for a corner. In 37 minutes, Brass got down to save from a free kick. There was then a great chance for the Stan when Walker on the right crossed on the bye line into the box to Lamb in front of goal with only the keeper to beat but he couldn’t make contact with the ball. Both teams were trying to attack & after both keepers had easily cleared, the half ended with a Stan free kick going well wide.

The 1^st 3 minutes of the 2^nd half saw the ball mainly in the Stan half. In the 50th minute Carlton shot just wide. 3 minutes later & a ball from a Carlton corner went well wide. In the 55^th minute, Hopper replaced Lamb & Burn replaced Payne. Unfortunately, this was followed immediately by Carlton getting a 2^nd goal in the 56th minute. The ball from a Carlton free kick bounced awkwardly & went past Brass & into the net. The Stan were back under pressure & didn’t get their 1^st chance of the half until 60 minutes when Evans sent a good ball forward but Walker couldn’t get on the end of it. Errington then sent a free kick into the Carlton box, but their keeper easily collected it. In 65 minutes, Brass had to go out to clear. Both teams were still trying to attack but the Stan’s passing & ball control was letting them down. In the 69^th minute, Carlton were 3-0 up when a ball from the left into the Stan box was put into the net under pressure by Manneh. In 79 minutes, Brass got down to stop the ball. Both teams seemed to run out of steam & the match fizzled out finishing with a 3-0 win for Carlton.

It was an unexpected but deserved defeat for the Stan who looked flat & often failed to hold onto the ball or complete passes. Off days happen so hopefully this was just one of these from a good set of players. Next Saturday the Stan are at home against Grimsby Borough in a potential relegation 6 pointer.

Kevin Mochrie

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Just five days after picking up a first win since early November, Heaton Stan made it back-to-back league wins for the first time all season by thrashing Bradford (Park Avenue) at Grounsell Park.

In the reverse game at Horsfall Stadium back in September, the Stan were 2-0 down inside six minutes after a mistake-laden start, but there was to be nothing of the sort tonight as they flew out of the traps and should’ve had a penalty less than two minutes into the game. A free kick inside the Stan half was driven towards the box and eventually flicked into the path of Connor Walker who ran onto the ball, tried to go around away goalkeeper Cameron Mason and was pulled down in the process – nothing doing according to the referee.

Mason would give away a penalty 14 minutes later. The move started with another long free kick which caused chaos in the box, eventually falling to Walker on the edge of the area, who fed Hopper to the right of the goalkeeper. The ball was lofted into the centre and in trying to claim the ball but dropping it, Mason clattered Jay Errington. Hopper stepped up and calmly slotted away his ninth goal of the season to open the scoring.

The chances to put breathing space between the sides kept coming. Just a minute after the restart, Hopper was able to shoot on the turn after a lovely touch but couldn’t generate enough power. There was a goalmouth scramble three minutes later, another Hopper chance lacking power shortly after that, and then another scramble from a corner on 33 minutes.

Typically, completely against the run of play, Bradford had an equaliser before half time. A throw into the box bounced uo to the arm of Capewell, the referee gave a penalty which was dispatched into Brass’ bottom left corner – the goalkeeper guessing correctly but just fingertips away from it.

The resumption of the game after the interval was delayed after a new assistant referee was required – but the Stan didn’t let the interruption ruin their flow as they started the second half just as they did the first – on the front foot and looking to punish a Bradford side clearly not at the races.

Dan Groves, Leighton Hopper and Jay Errington all had good chances before Connor Walker restored the Stan’s lead on 59 minutes. After a good spell of controlling the possession, Jay Errington received the ball wide on the edge of the box, used his strength to beat two defenders off him, drilled a low ball into the centre for Walker to cleverly prod the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal since September and just his second for the Stan overall.

Attempts to kill the game off were still flowing nicely but nothing was going in. Alex Payne had a good effort from the edge of the area which looked as though it was heading in but it skimmed wide. On 72 minutes, Jay Errington forced a big save from Mason who had a very busy night in the Bradford goal.

Some breathing space finally came on 83 minutes. The Stan played an overload on a Bradford throw and had a lot of attacking players high up the pitch. Winning the second ball, it was Errington who fed Walker in the area who raced towards Mason and cheekily lifted the ball past him for his second goal of the night, capping a man of the match performance.

The game was well and truly sewn up four minutes later, and just one minute after the introduction of Konner Lamb from the bench. Some careless play in midfield from the away side allowed the Stan to break with pace, Lamb given the ball inside his own half with acres of space to run into, reaching the box, pulling off a trademark Lamb chop onto his left foot and bending into the far post to score.

Supporters will start to feel that Northern Premier League East Division survival is possible after taking six points and playing fantastic football against two of the division’s top sides. Attention now turns to an away game at Sherwood Colliery, another newly promoted side fighting for their life, as we look to take three points on the road for the first time since August.

Liam Milburn

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The Stan’s three month wait for a win came to an end at home to promotion-chasers Dunston in the second of three back-to-back games at Grounsell Park, following a disappointing defeat to Pontefract Collieries just three nights prior.

Having been a substitute for the last three games, Leighton Hopper was recalled to the starting eleven and showed why he deserved his spot in the side, being an integral part of the attack from the off. Just as they did on Tuesday, the Stan started on the front foot. On 3 minutes, Hopper cut in from the left, fired an effort which was destined for the goal, but blocked en route by his teammate Jay Errington.

Unlike the Pontefract game, the Stan didn’t then concede and instead continued piling on the pressure, not giving Dunston a moment to breathe. Hopper was a huge part of every good opportunity in the early stages, forcing two saves from goalkeeper Dan Lowson and almost turning provider at the end of one of his trademark mazy runs but his pass was intercepted before it could result in a chance.

Andy Burn also had opportunities to score in the first half, with one wide, one over the bar and one straight at the goalkeeper. He was a key part of a midfield and forward line who pressed the opposition at every opportunity and dictated the high tempo of the game.

Dunston failed to register a meaningful effort on goal in the first half, but came out stronger in the second half and did lightly test Stan goalkeeper Lewis Brass in the early stages as JJ O’Donnell flicked towards goal from a corner. The North East non-league stalwart would have another effort midway through the half from a header, managing to generate a decent amount of power despite being around 15 yards from goal.

Manager Dean Nicholson bemoaned the failure to put away big chances on Tuesday night, just as he has on many occasions this season, and it looked like history would be repeating itself with some of the big opportunities not taken against Dunston. On 58 minutes, Dan Groves flicked on a throw into the path of Jay Errington, who confidently controlled the ball and dashed towards the box. With three defenders tight on him, he opted to shift wider to his left, unleashing a shot across goal which was unlucky to miss the far bottom corner.

As the minutes ticked away, it was looking more and more likely that the game was going to end goalless, but not for a lack of effort, and mostly because just as against Pontefract, the ball just seemed unable to cross the goal line. On 76 minutes, a low ball was sent into the box but cleared by a Dunston defender. The ball came out to Errington on the edge of the six yard box who steadied himself and then fired at goal, saved by Lowson. The ball bounced perfectly towards the head of substitute Bailey Adamson, but his nod at the near post went for a corner.

Three minutes later, another chance inexplicably went begging. Connor Walker made a run to the wide area and breezed past two marking defenders with some beautiful footwork, finding space to charge into the box where he shrugged past another man. Walker fired low from 12 yards out, Lowson saved and again the ball sat up perfectly on the rebound, this time it was Errington who was unable to convert from a close range header.

The game’s decisive moment arrived on 89 minutes. Dunston will agonise over the fact that they missed their best chance of the game just 30 seconds before our goal arrived. Tom Devitt nodded against the post from a well-delivered free-kick and the Stan were able to get the ball away. From that corner, Brass punched it away, the defence cleared their lines and set the Stan away on a rapid counter-attack. A brilliant pass from Alex Payne found Errington in space just in front of the centre circle, he carried the ball into the box with two big touches, used his physicality to hold off the defenders crowding him, took his time before flicking a shot under the goalkeeper. Cue pandemonium in the stands, on the touchline and on the pitch as all eleven players, including goalkeeper Brass, piled on top of each other by the corner flag.

“We are staying up” was the cry from the Stan supporters on the terrace – and moments later the whistle would blow, confirming an enormous three points which keeps alive hopes that the club will survive in its first season at Step 4. Attention quickly turns to another midweek home game on Wednesday, where Bradford (Park Avenue) are the visitors at Grounsell Park.

Liam Milburn

There was no icing on the Pontefract cake for the Stan due to an early & a relatively late goal for the West Yorkshire visitors. This relegation 6 pointer therefore ended pointless for the Stan even though they created lots of chances to score. There was one change from Saturday’s draw at Garforth with Burn replacing the injured Stephenson. Joe Shepherd made his 101 appearance for the club.

It was a great start for the Stan as they won the ball from the Pontefract kick off & started immediately on the attack through Errington who saw his effort blocked on the Pontefract goal line with Burn’s rebound effort hitting the side netting. The Stan attacked again & Burn had his shot saved. The visitors immediately attacked for the 1^st time & although their initial effort was blocked, Dunn chipped the ball from the edge of the box & into the net to give Pontefract a shock lead. Pontefract had an effort headed clear 2 minutes later. Errington then broke with his 1^st effort blocked followed by his 2^nd effort from the edge of the box being cleared on the line. A Stan free kick was then head clear & the resulting Pontefract counterattack was off side. After an injured Pontefract player was treated, it was back on the attack for the Stan. After a quieter few minutes, 2 Pontefract attacks were cleared in the 13^th minute followed by a home attack being cleared. Pontefract had a long throw into the Stan box which was cleared & the long range rebound shot went well wide. The visitors shot wide again in 19 minutes. The Stan then had a ball from a corner blocked followed by a shot going over the bar. In 23 minutes, a Pontefract attack was cleared & again 2 minutes later. A Groves corner was then punched clear by the Pontefract keeper. Groves then sent a ball into the Pontefract box which was headed out for a corner from which Adamson’s shot was blocked. The Stan pressure continued but Pontefract continued to defend well & in 32 minutes Marriott shot wide. From the 34^th minute, there were 3 minutes of end to end action but with both defences clearing well. In 37 minutes, Brass caught a Pontefract effort then sent a long ball to Errington but the keeper easily caught his shot. In the 39^th minute, the Stan had a sustained attack which included 2 Stan efforts being blocked followed by an effort being cleared on the goal line by a Pontefract defender when the Stan thought they had scored. It was end to end again as the 1^st half came to a close,

Both teams continued trying to attack after the start of the 2^nd half & each had initial efforts cleared. The Stan added to their attacking threat by introducing Hopper in 52 minutes & Walker & Lamb 13 minutes later. In 56 minutes, a Stan free kick into the Pontefract box saw an unmarked Shepherd break forward & collect the ball but his effort was saved by the keeper. Soon after Brass made a great save at the other end. It was end to end again but again both defences dealt well with the attacks. In 69 minutes, Walker shot well over & for the remaining 20 minutes there was mainly joined up pressure from Heaton Stannington. In 70 minutes, Pontefract had to clear 7 times as part of the sustained Stan pressure. In 76 minutes though, against the run of play, Pontefract broke & although their initial shot was blocked by Brass, the 4-yard rebound effort was tapped into the net by Elliot Walker. It was then back to Stan pressure & Pontefract defending including through 2 headed clearances. In 84 minutes, A Groves free kick was initially cleared followed by a ball from Lamb going across the Pontefract goal line before being cleared then back to Payne whose effort, from just outside the box, bobbled just wide. In 89 minutes, Walker shot just wide. Capewell then had to make a good clearance from a rare Pontefract attack. The 6 added minutes again saw 1 way traffic as the Stan continued to try & get the ball into the visitors’ net, but Pontefract managed under pressure to deny them.

There were highs & lows during the match. The highs included the Stan continually trying to attack when they had the ball & creating lots of chances as well as defending well when required. The lows were not converting any of the many chances created & conceding 2 goals which were both when scored against the run of play. The Stan are in action again in 3 days when they host Dunston in a Friday night local derby.

Kevin Mochrie

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