On the day that two of my tangential acquaintances, Bob Crow, the RMT General Secretary and a passionate, inveterate defender of the interests of the working class, and American new journalist extraordinaire Joe McGinniss, author of such classics as The Selling of the President and The Miracle of Castel di Sangro, both died, it seemed difficult to imagine that things could get any worse. However, a defensive mix-up, a cruel deflection and a fluke free kick from miles out proved that things could get immeasurably worse. Pre match there was no minute’s silence for the passing of Joe and Bob, but at full time the involuntary mute misery of the Stan faithful showed that from Jesmond Park West to Wych Elm Crescent and Corchester Walk to Horsley Road, the footballing cognoscenti of the High Heaton Ultras know that this game marked the tolling of the death knell for The Stan’s promotion hopes in season 2013/2014.

Despite the desperately unsatisfactory result, it must be acknowledged that The Stan put in a 500% improvement from Saturday’s woeful surrender to Darlington Railway athletic, though maddeningly, the result was the same; a 1-3 defeat that in no way reflected an adequate harvest of the fruits of The Stan’s labours in this twice previously postponed contest.

Fielding a side much changed by injuries and work commitments, The Stan pushed Chester le Street on to the back foot for most of the opening 20 minutes until, out of the blue, the Cestrians took the lead, courtesy of Jake Stafford, who was able to profit from a farcical mix-up in The Stan defence that resulted in the ball running free for Stafford to poke home. It was as awful a goal as the scoreline was unfair and Heaton did their very best to level before the break, but to no avail.

However, soon after the resumption The Stan did get themselves level, with a fairytale goal. Gary Yates has legendary status at Grounsell Park for his devoted decade of service for our just and righteous cause. Having helped the lads achieve promotion to the Northern League, he took a step back and signed for Shankhouse in the Northern Alliance after making a solitary appearance as substitute away to Willington in a 2-1 win in September. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man tonight; he started up front in his familiar striking role, held the ball up tremendously and showed his predatory instincts are undimmed by bundling the ball home on 50 minutes after Brian Dodsworth’s effort had hit both posts and stayed out.

Sadly, just as it appeared The Stan were beginning to get on top, Chester le Street came again and, after the erroneous awarding of a throw in to the Cestrians, a serious of mishaps ended with Stafford grabbing his second goal as his apologetic effort struck a Stan defender and hopelessly wrong footed Shaun Backhouse. Soon after substitute James Alsopp toe-poked a long range free kick into the bottom corner of Shaun Backhouse’s net and the visitors had somehow managed to purloin three undeserved points from a spirited but desperately unlucky Stan side.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Goals: Yates 50.

Yellow Cards: Davison.

Red Cards: Balmain, Johnson.

Attendance: 101.

Kevin Mochrie