Heaton Stannington were without the injured Carr, Hopper and Lamb, and Stephenson was not available, Stan in their previous seven NL 1 matches had conceded the first goal, and went on to win 3, draw 1 and lose the other three.

However they broke that bad pattern, getting an early goal, conceded an equaliser five minutes from half time but were still able to go to the changing rooms a goal up at the interval. The second half Stan were far more able to control the game and scored another goal and run out worthy winners, and rise up two places in the table. Warm applause at the end from most of the 361 attenders.

The match opened explosively with Stan scoring on 2 minutes, with a throw in from Kane Evans to Louis Anderson, back to Evans, then back to Anderson who played the ball inside for Andy Burn, just on the edge of the area, central, one touch to control before hitting a low shot into the bottom far corner. 1-0

Stan had a shout for a penalty three minutes later when Anderson was tackled in the area. Ref said play on.

Redcar responded with Mark Anderson having a low shot straight to Lewis Brass.

Jordan Lashley just failed to get on the end of a through ball, then Sean Reid hit a free kick over the bar.

Brass came to the rescue on 20 minutes as Curtis Round chased a ball into the area, but he came and caught the ball to deny the visitors any opportunity. Nine minutes later Brass came out of his area to head the ball away as Adam Boyes attacked, straight to Anderson who volleyed high over the bar.

Richie Slaughter was having a magisterial match, strong and resilient, leading his team in the battle. Alfie Marriott and Craig Scott were kept busy, and battled away strongly.

Scott headed behind to concede a corner as the Cleveland side were pushing for an equaliser.

On 35 minutes a good build up play, Anderson to Reid, with his goal bound shot pushed away for a corner,

A couple of minutes later the experienced Kevin Burgess brought down Lashley in the area. This time it was a penalty, with Burgess getting booked. Reid’s low spot kick was saved by Lee Roberts.

Redcar equalised on 40 minutes with the move starting on their left, just inside their own area by Boyes, he surged to the back post as Andersons shot was pushed away by Brass, with Boyes swooping to net from close range. 1-1

Two minutes added on when Reid fed Lashley to Anderson, with a defender intercepting but his pass went to Evans, who played a simple ball forward for Burns, one touch to set himself, then the ball went up and over Roberts. Home fans ecstatic. 2-1

HT 2-1

Stan did much better in the second half, contained and controlled Redcar’s threat. Stan were much hungrier to get into the Redcar box and score, whereas Brass was hardly troubled.

On 49 minutes Anderson to Reid to Lashley with his fierce shot finger tipped over the bar.

Brass made just one notable save in the second half, on 53 minutes with a cross to the back post for Jack Blackford to volley, ball stopped by keepers legs to concede a corner.

Just past the hour Burn to Anderson, his cross cut out, with Reid waiting, expectantly for that cross to get on scoring sheet.

Liam Doyle ran from his own half to the edge of the Redcar box, with a lovely pass to Reid, but his weak low shot was easily saved.

Danny Sayer replaced Lashley on 73 minutes, and was immediately in the action. A long throw from Jay Hornsby, headed forward by Reid to Sayer, with the ball to Burn whose wonderful low shot nestled in the bottom corner of the net. 3-1 A wonderful hat trick!

Five minutes of added on time, but no danger to Stan and they were warmly applauded at the final whistle.

To get a double over such a decent side speaks volumes of Stan’s determination to climb the table.

FT 3-1

Dean said after the match, “It was a real real decent job by every single player that took part, and thoroughly deserved. Everyone was excellent, you have be to beat a side like that. We were excellent second half, dominant, catching them on the break a lot, created a lot of chances.”

Stan are away on Wednesday night at Benfield, and then on Saturday welcome second placed Shildon to Grounsell Park.

Brian Pratt

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A healthy mid-week crowd of 413 witnessed only the Stan’s 3^rd home match of 2024 as they sought revenge for last month’s unlucky 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Whitley Bay. The match looked early on as if it would be a goalless stalemate although both teams eventually managed to score once but neither team seemed to reach their expected potential on the park compared to most previous recent encounters. The Stan worked hard, including through Slaughter & Hopper, & there was a classic equaliser from Nick ‘Predator’ Cassidy. There were 3 changes from Saturday’s defeat at Bishop Auckland with Marriott, Lashley & Sayer replacing Turnbull, Shepherd & Stephenson.

The match started with both teams trying to attack but they were wiping out each other’s threats up front & as a result the 1^st clear effort wasn’t until 6 minutes when Bay shot wide. The Stan shot wide in 12 minutes, followed by the Bay doing the same, but neither team really threatened until 22 minutes. A Hornsby ball to Hopper on the edge of a busy Bay box saw his shot deflected over the bar for a corner which was eventually cleared. Unexpectantly, the visitors took the lead in 28 minutes when they had a shot blocked by Brass but a rebound shot from close range saw the ball forced into the net. The Stan didn’t sit back & in 29 minutes, after Hopper had won the ball & forced a corner, Lashley shot high & wide from outside the box. In 31 minutes, there was pressure from Bay as twice they shot across the Stan goal from a tight angle & both times the ball went just wide of the far post. From a resulting corner, a Bay player headed just wide. Although there was a quieter spell, in 35 minutes a joined up Stan attack ended with Sayer shooting wide. In 42 minutes, Hopper’s solo effort unluckily hit the post & this was followed by a bay counterattack which was stopped by Marriott. The half ended though with Whitley Bay leading 1-0.

The Stan started the 2^nd half positively with Hopper in the 48^th minute dribbling into the visitor’s box but shooting just over under pressure. In 53 minutes, a Stan free kick on the edge of the Bay box was cleared followed by Evans dealing well to stop the counter attack. Both teams were trying to attack but both defences were working well to prevent any real threats. In 65 minutes, the Stan were back on level terms when a ball from a Stan corner was cleared in front of goal & the ball went out of the box to Cassidy on the left who sent it back into the box over everyone & into the far top corner of the net. What a goal, especially given that he had only been on the pitch for 3 minutes. The Stan now started showing more confidence as they knew the match could be won & sub Doyle had a great opportunity in front of goal in 67 minutes but blasted the ball over the bar. There was a quieter 10 minutes as both teams still tried to attack but without making any real threats. The Stan had some sustained pressure in 79 minutes but the Bay keeper & his defence worked hard to deal with it. The last 7 minutes of normal time saw mainly pressure from the Stan as they sought a wining goal. In 86 minutes, Hopper entered into the box but, under pressure, he turned & shot just over. Into 4 minutes of added time & Whitley Bay finally attacked again but shot well over when they had a good opportunity in front of goal to score. In 91 minutes, Shepherd won the ball & passed to Lashley but he couldn’t supply the advancing Hopper. A minute later after a Bay advance, Hopper sent a long ball up to the advancing Lashley but he was wrongly deemed off side. Hopper then made a great run but couldn’t get a shot in & both teams had to settle for a draw.

Although either team could have snatched a victory, a draw seemed a fair result on a night with relatively limited chances for both teams. Next up is the NE6-NE7 derby as the Stan make the short journey to Sam’s Smith Park to take on Newcastle Benfield on Wednesday evening.

Kevin Mochrie

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In a cracking match, Heaton Stannington came from behind, after conceding an early goal, to win with a very late goal, to give them the double over third placed West Auckland.

Joe Shepherd returned to the first team, with Kane Evans making his 50^th start for the Stan.

A fine day, generally dull but a bit of sunshine crept in, but not for long, as it remained cold.

Stan started well and had a couple of attacking moves down the left flank, with shots not testing keeper Piotr Banda. And one long range shot from Sean Reid, Banda saved comfortably.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 5 minutes, when a clearance from Lewis Brass hit the back of Joshua Scott, deflected up into the air and towards goal with Scott getting to it first and heading into the net. 0-1 His 18^th league goal of the season.

Stan reacted well with some good inter passing, Mark Turnbull finding Jordan Lashley but he couldn’t find space for a shot, but on 18 minutes a superb volley from Dan Stephenson which just went inches wide of the upright.

The moves from Stan kept coming, Richie Slaughter and Stephenson instigators of most flowing moves forward, but Stan found it difficult to finish off their moves.

Turnbull to Reid who found Stephenson who gave the ball out wide to Leighton Hopper, but his cross was deflected behind for a corner. Andy Burn to Stephenson and again to Hopper, who was a handful. A lot of possession, good passing, but that final touch was not working.

On 36 minutes a Burn effort was turned aside by Banda for a corner.

Burn to Reid back to Burn out to Hopper but again his shot went wide.

But the equaliser came on 41 minutes, Burn to Stephenson, to Lashley and across to Hopper, whose shot from outside the area, took a slight deflection and went into the top far corner of the net. 1-1 A well deserved equaliser.

HT 1-1

West Auckland raised their game but they met a stubborn home defence which stood strong with all that was thrown at them. On 50 minutes James Harrison just outside the area but his shot flew over the Stan bar.

Three minutes later Oscar Fletcher headed wide when he should have done better.

Mark Turnbull was yellow carded for a foul on Corey Nicholson. From the free kick Scott headed over the bar.

On 57 minutes Lashley shot low, Banda fumbled the ball to Hopper, 4 yards out, but amazingly, he hit the chest of the keeper.

Turnbull was impressive in getting in a tackle to turn the ball out of play, denying West Auckland a goal scoring opportunity.

Brass was at his best with a marvellous save on 59 minutes when Lee Hulme, 22 yards out was denied by a truly great save.

Strange moment just past the hour when VAR visited Grounsel. (without camera or dodgy white line) Asst referee raised his flag, was it for offside or a foul? Ref told him to put his flag down and play went on. Brass walked out of the way (why risk injury) as Scott netted. Quite a hold up as who knows what was said. Stan were awarded a free kick where the assistant had raised his flag.

On 68 minutes Reid seemed to be fouled as he passed to Hopper, but he dinked the ball on to top of bar and over.

Then Nicholson hit the base of the post from outside the area from a breakaway. Action from end to end as each side wanted a win.

Magic from Hopper on 76 minutes, having beaten a couple of defenders he squared the ball for Burn, many who saw that Barnoldswick blockbuster of a winner, thought here we go again, but he smashed the ball over the bar.

83 minutes Mark Turnbull was injured in another of his tackles and was replaced by Alfie Marriott.

Evans rescued Stan, when conceding a corner as Brass raced a long way out. Evans needed treatment. From the resultant corner substitute Danny Sayer headed away.

4 minutes of added on time.

Another world class save from Brass when Scott hit a goal bound shot but was denied by the flying keeper.

Last minute, and what an outstanding pass from Slaughter, through the middle for Hopper to run onto with Liam Potter taking Hopper out. Penalty given.

Game held up while Ben Dale was given a yellow card then another yellow as he kept on at the ref.

Ice man Hopper nonchalantly put the spot kick away to steal a win for Stan.

That’s half the league games now completed for Stan.

FT 2-1

Dean said after the match, “The equaliser was coming eventually. We were happy with 99% of it, but it was just that last cross, shot or whatever it was, that last pass, it was just letting us down. It was tough. We defended really well. Do not lose the game was the order, but we took all 6 points against them, was unbelievable.”

Brian Pratt

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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

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

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

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

Kevin Mochrie

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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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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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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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