Two days on from a limp and lifeless defeat to Darlington Railway Athletic, Seaham Town Park was the location of possibly Heaton Stannington’s finest performance of the season, as The Stan deservedly beat an impressive, all-action Seaham Red Star outfit to return to the top of Northern League Division 2 after their sixth away win of the season.

Despite the competing attraction of England’s crucial World Cup qualifier with Poland, a healthy crowd had gathered, most of them unaware that diligent work by The Stan’s Assistant Manager and Secretary Geoff Walker had seen the Football Association process the final details of Jonathan Wright’s return to Grounsell Park from West Auckland Town. Geoff’s devotion to administration was rewarded on the half hour when Wright fired The Stan ahead, after collecting a long throw from Paul Chapman near the dead ball line, tricking defenders and keeper, before finishing with his trusty left foot.

This may have been the opening goal of the game, but it was a mystery how such a blank score line had been maintained. On 3 minutes, Lee Johnson struck a stunning volley that was acrobatically parried by home keeper Shaun Newbrook. However The Stan’s keeper, the other Shaun on display, Backhouse, distinguished himself on 5 minutes by blocking an Alex Francis effort after the Star loanee nipped in to intercept a short back pass by Gary McGarrigal. A minute later towering striker Channon North seized on a Backhouse fumble to fire the ball home, but was flagged offside, to the keeper’s relief. Almost immediately, Newbrook had to be alert to tip over a 35 yard snap shot from the always dangerous Wright.

After such a breathless opening, the game settled down to some quality possession play and incisive passing, but with defences were organised, chances were at a premium until Wright opened the scoring. Immediately afterwards Newbrook again had to look lively to gather a stinging thunderbolt from Wright that arrived at chest height. Seaham Red Star are an impressive, organised, strong side who are always a danger and they pushed us back until the interval, without scoring.

The second half began with Seaham in the ascendancy; and incredible scramble on 47 minutes saw Backhouse collect the ball on the line. This was a temporary respite as soon after North ran on to a ball over the top to fire impressively past Backhouse for the equaliser. Wright soon after fashioned a shot out of nothing that Newbrook tipped over. Paul Chapman got in on the action with a mazy 70 yard run, evading several tackles, before firing his effort just wide. Soon after Backhouse distinguished himself, with a pair of great saves: one with his feet from Francis and one brilliant reflex tip over from a corner. However, it wasn’t all Seaham, as substitute Michael Waggett burst through and was denied by Newbrook’s sprawling save.

From the resulting corner, Lee Johnson darted near post to steer home a thumping header that gave The Stan all three points at the end of a high-quality, absorbing game that proved to all present that the quality of football available in Northern League Division 2 is more than enough to tempt the casual fan from their fireside, despite competing attractions on terrestrial television.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards: Smith, Anthony Johnson.

Attendance: 47

Goals: Wright 30, Lee Johnson 87

Kevin Mochrie