At the fourth time of asking, this Ernest Armstrong Cup second round tie was played to a completion and, marking the first ever evening kick off under lights at Grounsell Park in front of another impressive three figure crowd on a cold and damp evening, it was Heaton Stannington who progressed to a home quarter final against Thornaby, on a date yet to be announced. 

However Brandon United, who had held The Stan in a league meeting at their own Welfare Ground in mid-November in the last meeting between the two sides, gave an excellent account of themselves, taking the lead as early as the fourth minute when a speculative 35 yard thunderbolt by Kieran Weekes caught Shaun Backhouse unawares, and only lost the game because they visibly began to tire on a heavy, cloying pitch that, to be fair, does not suit the home side’s intricate closing passing game either.

Unfortunately, despite the relatively mild winter that has thus far only seen a single home game postponed, we are at the mercy of the elements as regards the quality of surfaces available to play on. The same as for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Norton & Stockton Ancients, The Stan management were in the happy position of having 21 players to choose from, with the notable absence of Jonathan Wright because of family commitments. Into the starting line-up came Ian Balmain, recently arrived from near neighbours Newcastle Benfield and Karl Donaghey, while Nathan Sopp and Luke Balmer took their places on the bench.

It seemed to have made little difference to The Stan’s luck when Weekes fired the visitors ahead but, after a shaky start, when a suspiciously offside looking Stephen Moody broke through on goal, only to be denied by a superb block by Backhouse, the home side grew in confidence and possession, with an attendant goal threat also manifesting itself as the first half wore on. 

Twice in the minutes leading up to the interval The Stan ought to have been level; firstly debutant Balmain arrived at the back post and kneed a loose ball against the outside of the post. Secondly captain for the night Gary Dixon worked himself a good shooting opportunity, but found visiting keeper Chris Sawyer equal to his low effort.

In the second half, it became increasingly obvious by the balance of play that Brandon United would be lucky to hang on as they were relentlessly penned back into their own half and continued to cede more and more territory as The Stan sought to press home their advantage in more tangible terms. 

An equaliser finally arrived after 58 minutes; debutant substitute Nathan Sopp, who was to have a decisive role in the outcome of the game, took up the ball on the right hand side of the Brandon penalty area and chipped over a smart cross for the on-rushing Paul Blakey to power home a close range header to give the home side deserved parity.

From this point there would only be one winner. The crucial goal almost came on 76 minutes when substitute Ben Telford ran only to a loose ball at the back post and hit a vicious, swerving effort that arrowed away just wide at the last moment with Sawyer comprehensively beaten. However, The Stan were not to be denied. 

With 5 minutes remaining, Dan Iredale was impeded near the right touchline and Gary Dixon’s accurate free kick was met from inside the 6 yard box by Sopp, to notch his debutant goal and send The Stan through to the quarter finals of the last cup competition we retain an interest in.

Heaton Stannington: Unknown.

Subs Not Used:

Goals: Blakey 58, Sopp 85.

Yellow Cards: Iredale, Blakey.

Attendance:

Match Photos: Flickr.

Kevin Mochrie