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It was Pontefract who got the icing on their cake with a narrow 1-0 win. It was a disappointing performance from the Stan although it was only a defensive error that allowed the visitors to win. Despite Pontefract having more of the pressure overall, the Stan did have a few limited opportunities of their own to get something out of the match, especially as the 2nd half went on, but ultimately failed to do so. There was 1 change from Wednesday’s win over Ashington with Beattie replacing Chrisp. Recent signing Nicholas Deverdics made his debut for the Stan from the bench.

On a damp, overcast but dry afternoon the 1st action came in the 5th minute when Gordon went out to clear. A Pontefract throw in into the Stan box was then cleared before the ball was sent back into the Stan box & cleared again. In the 7th minute, a Pontefract player made a break forward, but Walker made a great tackle to stop the advance. The Stan’s 1st real threat came in the 8th minute when a throw in into the visitors’ box was cleared. After a quieter period, the Stan had attacks cleared after 14 & 17 minutes. There were then 2 Pontefract attacks with Hopper putting the ball from the 2nd out for a corner. In 22 minutes, Beattie had to be replaced by Walker because of an earlier tackle on him. A minute later & Pontefract sent the ball into the Stan box & Gordon got down to block but the scramble lasted for a few seconds more as the ball continued to bounce about the 6-yard box until it was cleared to safety. In 25 minutes, the Stan forced a corner which came to nothing. 3 minutes later & a Pontefract player broke forward but Milburn guided the ball out. Another visiting player then broke & shot from just outside the 6-yard box, but Capewell blocked followed by Gordon getting down to put the ball out for a corner. From it, Gordon put a rebound shot from the edge of the box over the bar for another corner which saw the ball go out. It was a not a good game so far & although Pontefract didn’t have many opportunities, the Stan had less. In 36 minutes, a Pontefract free kick into the Stan box bounced awkwardly but then went straight into the arms of Gordon. 3 minutes later & the Stan advanced & an Errington cross into Pearson saw him head the ball towards goal but Christy in the Pontefract goal got up to catch it. In 45 minutes, a Burn free kick from halfway saw Capewell go to get on the end of it in the Pontefract box but he was flattened & nothing was given. Into 4 minutes of added time, & a Pontefract corner was missed by everyone except a visiting player 12 yards out from the far post but although he had a clear shot, Gordon managed to save. Soon after, a long-range Pontefract free kick went straight towards Gordon’s arms. The half ended with a Pontefract attack & still goalless.

The 2nd half began with Pontefract coming close from a corner as the ball was scrambled away from just in front of the goal line when it had looked like it was going into the net. In 52 minutes, a Pontefract attack was cleared twice followed by a bad tackle on Burn which resulted in a booking for Pontefract’s Middleton. Burn took the resulting free kick from halfway, but it went straight to keeper Christy. Pontefract then attacked but Milburn cleared. The resulting throw in was cleared allowing Pearson to counter under pressure but Christy got to the ball 1st. In 59 minutes, a Pontefract player ran forward & crossed into the 6-yard box, but the intended player missed the ball. In the 60th minute a Stan attack ending with Pearson getting into the box, but the ball was cleared followed by 2 Pontefract attacks being cleared. In 64 minutes, there was more Pontefract pressure when an unmarked advancing player shot from the side of the box, but Gordon got down to save just before Evans & another advancing Pontefract player skid into the 6-yard box. The visitors did get a goal in 67 minutes when a failed pass back to Gordon saw Lumsden break on the left & his diagonal shot went into the right-hand corner of the Stan net. 2 minutes later & the Stan had a ball from a corner punched clear. There was a quieter period until Gordon had to catch after 80 minutes followed by a Pontefract free kick being cleared in the Stan box.  The final minutes of the half, as a result of 4 late subs, saw mainly pressure from the Stan but few shots. In 83 minutes, Hopper sent a ball into the Pontefract box, but sub Deverdics shot well over from the edge of it. 3 minutes later & advancing sub Lamb slipped in the box, In the 1st of 5 added minutes, Hopper sent a long ball to Lamb who was blocked although he sent the ball out to Deverdics on the edge of the box who shot well over the bar. The Stan attacked again twice with the 2nd resulting in Pearson shooting wide. The final minute saw the Stan get a free kick on halfway which Gordon went up for. The ball was cleared from the corner & although Pontefract countered while Gordon was still up, man of the match Burn managed to get back to clear the ball. 

Pontefract’s narrow win sees them swapping places with the Stan & they move up to 6th in the league. Despite a number of late opportunities, the Stan could not get a goal to retrieve at least a point. The Stan are at home again on Saturday when Blyth Spartans visit High Heaton in league duty for the 1st time ever. 

Stan Team: Gordon; Milburn (Y) (Johnson 67 (Y)); Beattie (Walker 22); Evans (Y) (Storey 83); Capewell; Shepherd; Payne (Deverdics 77); Burn; Pearson (Y); Hopper; Errington (Lamb 76). All subs used. Attendance 375. Man of the Match: Andy Burn.                       

Kevin Mochrie

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The Stan’s 1st home game for 25 days saw them back to winning ways against local rivals Ashington after a rare defeat on Saturday at Dunston. The Stan have lost only once in the last 10 league games & they increased their undefeated home run to 5 matches. Despite dominating the match & having multiple chances to score, the Stan only won by a single goal & had to withstand a late scare from Ashington to hold on to win. There were 3 changes from Saturday’s defeat at Dunston with Chrisp, Shepherd & Errington replacing Walker, Robson & Lamb. The Ashington team included 3 ex Stan players Jay Hornsby, Marc Ellison & Liam Wotherspoon.

The match was preceded by a minute’s applause to remember late Stan fan Davy ‘no trousers’ Faichen. The match started lively with the Stan getting 3 corners in the 1st 3 minutes. The ball from the 3rd corner went out to Payne & his rebound shot hit the roof of the Ashington net. After the good start for the Stan, Gordon had to get down to make a good save after 5 minutes. In 9 minutes, a Stan then an Ashington attack were cleared. Errington then counter attacked but his shot was caught by Ashington keeper Alexander. 5 minutes later, Errington had 2 shots blocks as the Stan started to put pressure on the visitors again although they were also looking for opportunities to break. In 24 minutes, an Ashington shot was blocked by Gordon & the rebound shot went just over the bar. Ashington then attacked again & finished the move by shooting just wide. In 27 minutes, Burns shot just wide. In 30 minutes, a ball from a Stan corner went across the Ashington goal but missed everyone. The Stan took the lead in the 36th minute, when a long range shot by Evans hit the post & the rebound shot was put in the Ashington net by Errington. In 39 minutes, a ball chipped into the Ashington box saw Alexander get down to get to the ball just before Pearson. In 41 minutes, a Stan free kick was blocked & was followed by a Payne shot that was deflected for a corner. From it, the ball was initially cleared then was blocked twice in a busy penalty box before it was put out for another corner. From it, Milburn’s header was caught by Alexander. A move starting with a Burn free kick, ended with Pearson shooting wide. The half ended with Errington crossing to Pearson, but he sliced his shot high over the bar. 

The 2nd half started like the 1st half finished with one way traffic from the Stan. Almost immediately, a Burns shot was deflected for a corner. From it, the ball was punched away by Alexander. In 49 minutes, Ellison was sent off for a bad late tackle on Chrisp who had to be substituted by Beattie as a result. The Stan kept the pressure on but Gordon had to make a rare save from a deflected shot in 54 minutes. In 60 minutes, a great move saw Payne send a diagonal ball up to Errington who crossed to Pearson in front of goal, but his shot went wide. In 63 minutes, Payne supplied Pearson who although clear on goal again sliced his shot to waist the 2nd of 2 great chances. 2 minutes later & Hopper sliced the ball over the Ashington bar. In 66 minutes, a Burn free kick was headed wide by Capewell. Payne then advanced with the ball into the Ashington box, but Alexander got to the ball 1st. The Stan came close again in 69 minutes, when a joined-up attack ended with Burn hitting the visitors’ bar. In 75 minutes, Pearson had a shot blocked for a corner. From it, Alexander punched the ball clear & Milburn’s rebound shot went over the bar. In 78 minutes, Errington had a shot blocked under pressure as the Stan could still not get a 2nd goal. Alexander came out to clear, & in 81 minutes sub Johnson made a run & crossed to Errington but his shot was blocked. He then sliced another effort over the Ashington bar. In 83 minutes, Johnson forced a corner & from it Alexander dropped the ball & it went out for another corner. In 85 minutes, Ashington had a rare attack that was blocked. Pearson countered & was 1 on 1 with Alexander but he got down to block the shot when Pearson should have scored. Both teams were still trying to attack, & in 88 minutes Johnson broke but his shot was weak under pressure & collected by Alexander. There were 8 minutes of added time & it gave Ashington the opportunity to try & get back into the match & steal an equaliser. In 91 minutes, an Ashington free kick into the box was cleared twice. Beattie then broke & passed a defender but he sliced his shot wide. It was a tense ending to a match that should have been comfortably won by the Stan, but they were managing to have much of the possession. In the 98th minute, an Ashington ball into the Stan box was blocked by Shepherd for a corner. Keeper Alexander went up for the corner from which the ball was cleared off the line in a busy 6-yard box & then was sent up the pitch although Evans had been bundled into the net unlike the ball. One Ashington player claimed a goal but just like England’s 3rd goal in the world cup final, the ball did not cross the line but unlike it, the officials tonight got the decision correct & soon after the referee blew his whistle for the end of the match.

It was an important win for the Stan but a frustrating one as they made hard work of it when they could have easily won comfortably by at least 4 or 5 nil. Importantly the Stan are back up to 6th in the league and in the 2nd of 5 home games in 15 days they host Pontefract Colliery on Saturday. 

Stan Team: Gordon; Milburn; Chrisp (Beattie 52); Evans; Capewell; Shepherd; Payne; Burn; Pearson; Hopper (Johnson 80); Errington. No cards. Subs not used: Lamb; Storey; Deverdics. Attendance 369. Man of the Match: Andy Burn.                       

Kevin Mochrie

Before this top of the table local derby most Stan fans would have taken a point but, having led until the 94th minute when Dunston were awarded an undeserved & controversial penalty, a draw felt like the grinch, this time dressed in black & not green, had stolen Christmas & the 3 points. Both teams went into this tie having won their last 4 matches & there was a lot at stake which influenced the competitive nature of this match. There were 2 changes from Saturday’s 4-0 win at Bridlington with Chater & Stephenson replacing injured Evans & Chrisp who was ineligible to play against his parent club.

On a cold & damp but dry evening, the Stan had most of the early pressure & in 9 minutes, an Errington ball into the Dunston box saw their keeper Lowson get down to save before Hopper could get to the ball. 2 minutes later & Gordon also had to get down to save & he did so again 2 minutes later. In 14 minutes, a Stephenson free kick into the Dunston box saw Capewell head back towards Hopper on the edge of the box & his shot went over the bar, The Stan kept pressing & in 17 minutes from a corner a Capewell header was blocked followed by an overhead kick by Milburn also being blocked. 3 minutes later & the Stan had another shot blocked. In 21 minutes, a Stephenson free kick into the Dunston box missed everyone & went along the goal line. The Stan defence then stood up well to block a sustained Dunston attack. The Stan kept the pressure on but couldn’t turn it into goals although Hopper had a good effort blocked in the 40th minute. A minute later & a Dunston shot towards the right-hand corner of the Stan goal was put just wide by Gordon who got a hand to the ball. From the resulting corner, Pearson headed clear. Milburn then supplied Pearson who crossed to the advancing Stephenson whose blasting shot from just outside the box forced a great save from Lowson. 

Dunston started the 2nd half on the attack & they shot wide in the 47th minute. The Stan then had a period of sustained pressure including 2 corners. In 54 minutes, Walker was hacked down as he was through on goal. From the resulting 30 yard free kick in the 55th minute, Stephenson put the ball through the crowded box & it went under the diving Lowson & into the net to give the Stan a lead. Both teams continued to try to attack & in 60 minutes Hopper crossed to Errington, but his shot was easily stopped by Lowson. In 65 minutes, an Errington long range effort was caught by Lowson. The Stan were not sitting back as they tried to get a 2nd goal to kill off the tie. In 71 minutes, Gordon caught the ball from a Dunston free kick. Hopper then countered but his ball into the box was cleared. 2 minutes later & a Dunston free kick into the Stan box was headed clear by Shepherd. In 84 minutes, Gordon caught under pressure, but both teams were basically now cancelling each other out. Pearson then supplied the advancing sub Johnson but Lowson got to the ball 1st. In 88 minutes, a Dunston attack was cleared at the 2nd attempt. 2 minutes later & a joined up Stan attack saw Hopper come close, but he was blocked from taking a shot in the 6 yard box. There were 4 minutes of added time, & in 92 minutes Lowson sent a long ball up the pitch towards an accelerating Dunston player who got online with Shepherd & ‘stumbled’ & fell in the box as the ball bounced in front of them & into the hands of Gordon. To the shock of most people present but to the delight of the Dunston players who had complained & pestered him all evening, the referee awarded a penalty. McDonald took the penalty & the ball went into the net off the right post. The Stan frantically tried to attack but the match ended with Gordon having to come out to clear.

The Stan deserved to win this match after battling throughout & the team’s passing & pressing was of a high standard. Dunston played well at times but did not deserve to get anything out of this match. The Stan now host league leaders Redcar Athletic on Saturday.

Stan Team: Gordon; Milburn (Y) (Beattie 89); Stephenson; Burn; Capewell; Shepherd (Y); Hopper (Y); Chater; Pearson; Walker; Errington (Johnson 75). Subs not used:  Lamb; Storey; Payne. Attendance 391. Man of the Match: Ryan Chater.                       

Kevin Mochrie

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Grimsby Borough returned to High Heaton for the 2nd time in 11 days but tonight the match was completed unlike the 1st attempt which was abandoned due to a flooded pitch after 24 minutes with the Stan leading 1-0 & with Grimsby having missed a penalty. Building on Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Brighouse, the Stan had a comfortable 4-0 win over Grimsby & delivered a confident & entertaining performance for the Stan Army. There were 2 changes with Milburn & Errington replacing Robson & Lamb. The team was the same one that started the abandoned match against Grimsby.

On a blustery but mild evening the rain luckily stayed away. The Stan started on the attack & in the 2nd minute, after the ball from a corner was initially cleared, the ball came back into the 6-yard box & was cleared for another corner. The opening period was dominated by the Stan & the only 2 early Grimsby attacks were easily cleared in the 7th & 10th minutes. In the 11th minute, a speculative Stephenson long range effort went well over. 2 minutes later, & Evans nipped in front of an advancing Grimsby player to get the ball & stop the attack. Another Grimsby attack was cleared a minute later which led to Pearson advancing with the ball & he was brought down in the box by Lovett who was sent off. The penalty was taken by Hopper in the 16th minute who confidently sent the ball down the middle & into the net with the Grimsby keeper Auton diving to his left. So, with nearly 75 minutes still to go the Stan were 1-0 up & Grimsby were down to 10 men. The Stan kept attacking & in the 21st minute Errington crossed to the advancing Hopper in the box, but he couldn’t make contact with the ball & it was cleared. In 23 minutes, Walker shot from just outside the box, but Auton got down to save. In the 30th minute, the Stan were 2-0 up when a Stephenson ball into the Grimsby box was confidently put into the net by Pearson. A minute later & Pearson nicked the ball of a Grimsby defender & although his shot was on target it was deflected just wide for a corner. From the corner, the ball went initially out to the edge of the box but was sent back into the 6 yard box where there was a scramble but Auton managed to get himself on top of the ball. Play was being dominated by the Stan & in 36 minutes a Stephenson long range effort was caught by Auton. 3 minutes later & a Grimsby throw in into the Stan box was headed clear & the Stan counter attack involved 4 players, but the ball was eventually cleared. In 41 minutes, a Chrisp ball into the Grimsby box was blocked. Walker then supplied Pearson whose long range shot went just wide. Chrisp then sent a high cross into the box but it went wide & out. Soon after, Gordon came out to stop a Grimsby attack but missed the ball but luckily the Grimsby player’s shot deflected off him for a corner. From the corner, the ball went across the goal line to a Grimsby player at the far post, but his close shot was cleared off the line by Shepherd for another corner.

The 2nd half started with more Stan pressure & in 48 minutes Auton had to punch the ball clear although it was sent back in & he had to catch it. In 51 minutes, the Stan increased their lead when, from a joined-up attack, the ball was sent through by Stephenson to the advancing Pearson in the Grimsby box & he slotted the ball past Auton & into the net. 3 minutes later & Walker shot just wide. Hopper then crossed to towards the advancing Errington, but Auton got to the ball 1st. In 61 minutes, a Grimsby free kick was easily caught by Gordon. This was followed at the other end by an Errington shot from the edge of the box which was easily caught by Auton. There was more intermittent Stan pressure in between substitutions & in 73 minutes sub Johnson chipped the ball over the Grimsby bar from a corner. In 75 minutes, Pearson advanced with the ball & slotted it past Auton to make it 4-0 and get his hat trick. In 81 minutes, Johnson crossed to sub Lamb who shot just wide. 2 minutes later & sub Chater shot straight at Auton. The Stan kept pressing but the match ended still 4-0 to the Stan.

So a comfortable win & good team effort for the Stan saw them move up the table to 5th & into a play off place. On Saturday the Stan make the long journey to the Yorkshire seaside when they visit Bridlington Town.

Stan Team: Gordon; Milburn (Chater 76); Chrisp (Beattie 78); Evans; Capewell; Shepherd; Hopper (Storey 66); Walker; Pearson (Lamb 76); Stephenson; Errington (Johnson 66). No cards. All Subs used. Attendance 208. Man of the Match: Dale Pearson.                        

Kevin Mochrie

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