Two days after a pulsating and exhausting contest with Jarrow Roofing, edged by The Stan by the odd goal in seven, we were back in action; this time making our debut in the Brookes Mileson Northern League Cup, without the cup tied Jonathan Wright. Having been given a bye in Round 1, The Stan had drawn Team Northumbria at home in round 2; however, on account of the fact that the lights aren’t yet operational at Grounsell Park, the tie was switched to Coach Lane Campus on a freezing cold Monday night.

While Team North coach Paul Johnson talked of this game as a local derby in his programme notes, the geographical proximity of the two sides does not necessarily make the fixture one that Stan fans would look forward to with any particular relish; West Allotment Celtic on Friday 6th December is the big one as far as The Stan are concerned. However, this was an opportunity to pit our wits against a renowned footballing outfit from the division above and for 94 minutes, we played them off the park.

With barely 5 minutes on the clock, Clay Darrell scored a superb individual goal, robbing the defender in the corner of the area and firing a great shot under keeper Jennison to give The Stan the lead. Almost immediately, Team North were level, courtesy of Aird, who tapped in a low cross from close range.

However, this was a rare instance of Team North as an attacking force. Captain Joe Wear was inches away from restoring The Stan’s lead with a header following a Brian Dodsworth corner. The lead was restored on 25 minutes when Lee Johnson collected a loose ball, drove into the area and powered home a low drive. It was an excellent goal and a just tribute to how well Johnson was playing. The Stan maintained a lead until the break when Shaun Backhouse distinguished himself with a great block after a bout of pinball in the area.

The first half ended on a sour note when Team North’s Adam Ingram fell awkwardly and had to be taken to hospital; we wish him a speedy recovery.

After the restart Johnson almost made it 3 with a sublime chip that drifted inches wide. As the temperatures dropped and the pitch crusted over, The Stan lost Paul Chapman, Clay Darrell and Joseph Fulcher to niggling injuries, but kept plugging away and seemed to have won the game when a Dodsworth shot was turned for a corner on 93 minutes. Sadly, Team North broke from the resulting flag kick, dispossessing Lee Johnson and pouring forward, allowing Peter Watling to equalise with the last kick.

In extra time, two refereeing decisions went against The Stan. Firstly Lee Johnson’s block tackle in the centre circle was adjudged a foul and a straight red was issued. Perhaps it wasn’t as ludicrous as the Wes Brown dismissal, but it wasn’t far off. Memories of Chelsea’s equaliser versus West Brom were stirred when Shaun Backhouse was adjudged to have impeded a Team North attacker and Peter Watling won the tie with a firm penalty after 113 minutes.

To lose the game in such circumstances was not heart-breaking, as the league is the main focus of The Stan’s efforts, but it was disappointing as it did not reflect adequate rewards for the superb efforts the whole team put in. Make no mistake about it, Heaton Stannington were the better team over 90 minutes and deserved to have gone through. However, we didn’t and we must learn the need to close out games if we wish to obtain our just desserts.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards: Smith, Dodsworth.

Red Card: Lee Johnson

Attendance:

Goals: Darrell 5, Lee Johnson 25

Kevin Mochrie