Back in August, Heaton Stannington gained our first three-point haul away from home on our return to the Northern League; with a scarcely credible 5-4 victory at Thornaby’s scenically appointed Teesdale Park. There was no danger of that scoreline being repeated today, though in the end The Stan were able to comfortably complete our first double of the season, which was all the more impressive considering how weakened by suspensions the team was. Jonathan Wright and Paul Chapman sat this one out because of the totting up procedure that meant their 5 bookings each resulted in a ban, while Lee Johnson and Andrew Weeks remained on the side-lines on account of their red cards against Team Northumbria in the League Cup and Brandon United respectively. As a result Adam Donaghey who had recently rejoined the club came in to make his second debut for The Stan, while the bench contained Ben Telford, Jonny Mann and Phil Smith; none of whom were 100% fit. Most encouragingly Paul Blakey was back in the team for the first time since his broken jaw in the Birtley game and acquitted himself admirably in the middle of the park.

With Wright and Johnson unavailable, Brian Dodsworth and Clay Darrell were asked to fill the striking roles and were to enjoy contrasting fortunes this afternoon. Dodsy in particular endured some wretched luck and could quite easily have claimed a hat trick at least if he had been blessed with a degree of good fortune. Early on, he could have grabbed two goals when in on Thornaby keeper Michael Duff; one effort went wide and another was well blocked by the keeper’s legs. However, undaunted, Dodsworth claimed an assist by setting Darrell away to stroke the ball home from the right edge of the area with a quality finish.

Just as The Stan began to relax and think about exerting a measure of control over proceedings, they were pegged back by an unlikely equaliser. A couple of lucky ricochets on the edge of the box saw David Onions in on Shaun Backhouse. The ever-present Stan custodian made a superb block but the ball ran free to Richard Walker some 35 yards out and he skilfully lofted the ball into the empty net for an eye-catching leveller. The Stan ought to have retaken the lead when Darrell set up Dodsworth for a simple tap-in on the six yard line, but he miskicked the ball in front of an empty net and Duff somehow smothered the ball as it dribbled apologetically towards the goal line. Darrell was more selfish next time and fired in a vicious shot, but directly at Duff who held the ball, meaning the two teams went in level at half time.

The second half included passages of untidy play in gathering gloom. The game had kicked off at 1.45 and next week’s versus Chester Le Street will begin at 2.00, though the floodlights will finally be available then. Darrell was withdrawn after going down injured in a move that ended with Dodsworth scuffing a shot into the keeper’s hands. Substitute Kev Carr scored what would prove to be the winner when Dodsworth’s fine shot from an astute Blakey through ball was parried by Duff, allowing the on-rushing Carr to slot home the loose ball. It was Carr’s first touch of the ball and proved to be the difference between the sides, though Joseph Melvin spurned a great chance to level at the other end, slashing a loose ball wide of the post when well placed. Consequently, The Stan won again to cement third place in the table.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Goals: Darrell 24, Carr 73

Attendance: 65

Kevin Mochrie