The Stan made their second longest journey of the season for this midweek rearranged game at Stokesley Sports Club. A 7.45 pm kick off was agreed due to the distance. Unavailable were Jon Jon, Paul Blakey and Gary McGarrigal due to injury, while work commitments meant Doddsy, Ben Telford and Willsa couldn't make it. Special thanks must go to Joe Wear as he left work in Jesmond at 6.30pm to dash down, making with 5 minutes to kick off with no chance to warm up. Brought in to the squad to boost the subs bench were: Stan legend Gary Yates, 65 year old assistant manager Geoff Walker and his 16 year old son Billy.
Torrential rain fell before kick-off and surface water was starting to lie on the pitch. The Stan though were in confident mood after a good win at Birtley on Saturday and a good strong starting 11 taking to the pitch and started very brightly with good chances falling twice to Phil Smith and to Paul Mills. In great positions both players elected to take an extra touch when really the keeper should have been tested. On 18 minutes we should have gone in front after a corner came back out to Dean Deagle on the left, who put a great ball to the far post for the unmarked Lee Johnson. Instead of heading it he tried to guide the ball in on the volley with the keeper pushing it out with both hands. The ball bobbled around the box falling to Anthony Johnson who could only find the outside of the post with his shot.
On 28 mins we fell to the usual sucker punch as good work on the Stokesley left resulted in the ball being played inside to the oncoming Peel who hit a well-placed shot from about 22 yards low inside Shanny’s right hand post, totally against the run of play. We went in at half time one down instead of 3 or 4-1 up, but the game totally changed in 10 devastating minutes after half time. On 46m after a corner was half cleared, Paul Mills rifled in a shot from the edge of the box which was blocked but it came back out to him and this time he made no mistake, finding the back of the net through a ruck of players for his first goal back as a Heaton player. Better was to come 6 minutes later; after a great individual goal by Lawrence McKenna. He picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and went past two defenders before placing a right foot shot in exactly the same place as the Stokesley goal. This was also his first goal in his second game after his return to the club from West Allotment Celtic.
We were forced in to a substitution, when Fulcher was forced off with a knee injury. Kev Carr came on the right hand side of midfield with Paul Mills moving into Ducky’s central position. Within minutes Kev made an impact as he raced away down the right, crossing for McKenna to claim his second and Heaton’s third, from close range. Still it was all Heaton and we should have been out of sight after further good chances for Carr and McKenna forced the keeper into great saves. It wouldn't be The Stan though if we didn't give the opposition hope; that’s what exactly happened on 67 minutes as a deflected strike from Browne beat Backhouse to his right.
The script was now set for Gary Yates on as a 72nd minute substitute for Phil Smith, who had put in a great hard working shift, but was understandably tired. More good play from Kev Carr saw him feed Yates just inside the box. Showing great composure Gary feigned to shoot but came inside and bent a great shot to the keeper’s left with him motionless. Only an assistant’s flag denied Yatesy a second as he just strayed half a yard off side to latch on to a great cross from McKenna and finish as you would expect. On 88 minutes there was a great moment as 16 year old Billy Walker came on to replace Anthony Johnson for his debut. We will have to check the records, as he could turn out to be the youngest Stan player in their 114 year history. Certainly it was a very pleasing moment, especially for his father, assistant manager Geoff, who wrote this report.
Stan Team:
Subs:
Goals: Mills 47, McKenna 49, 55, Yates 75
Yellow Cards: Lee Johnson.
Attendance: 47
Geoff Walker