On a bitterly cold afternoon at Kingsley Park that marked the alleged end of winter, Heaton Stannington cruised to their biggest away win of the season with a performance that, especially in the second half, was as encouraging as any seen in the 2013/2014 campaign. If the 1-1 draw at home to Ryton was the first truly disappointing result of the season, back in November, then this more than made up for it. Such a comprehensive score line was achieved despite a triple injury whammy in the first half that saw Anthony Johnson, Phil Smith, who needed hospital treatment for a head wound and Joseph “Ducky” Fulcher, whose knee was giving him serious gyp, all withdrawn and replaced by Brian Dodsworth, Kevin Carr and Paul Blakey, himself returning from an injury lay-off.

Also, remarkably enough given the result, the goal tally was achieved without any contribution from Jonathan Wright, who found such chances as he had, all falling on his less favoured right foot. Despite the emphatic result, the early exchanges were fairly even, with Shaun Backhouse excelling himself with a block tackle on Ryton’s standout performer Joshua Holland in the seventh minute to thwart the marauding home attacker. Soon after, Lee Johnson missed a golden opportunity to give The Stan the lead, when nodding wide at the back post from an unmarked spot on the six yard line.

On the half hour Gary Dixon was very unlucky to see a strong goal bound effort blocked by the Ryton defence but no matter, soon after Jonathan Wright had fizzed an effort low across the goalmouth, Dixon was able to make amends by exquisitely guiding a low effort in to the net from about 8 yards. It was no more than The Stan deserved, although Backhouse had to be alert to strongly punch away a Ryton through ball with Holland again menacing. After the break, the rejigged Stan team really took the game by the scruff of the neck, with Brian Dodsworth volleying home a beautiful second goal after a masterful chest trap that ended any meaningful resistance by his former team.

Kevin Carr could have made it three moments later, when his strong run and shot drew a fine save from Quigley in the home goal. However, the Ryton custodian was utterly helpless on 58 minutes when Lee Johnson slotted a sublime Dodsworth pass confidently into the corner of the net to make an away win a certainty. From that point on The Stan played with a calm assurance that showed a team regaining confidence after a stick spell in the league. Poor Ryton suffered another blow when the visibly injured Quigley misjudged a wayward Dean Deagle free kick which sailed over his head and into the net to make the final score Ryton 0 The Stan 4. It was a fluke, pure and simple, and harsh on a battling Ryton side whom we wish well on their battle against relegation back to the Northern Alliance.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Goals: Dixon 43, Dodsworth 53, Lee Johnson 58, Deagle 76.

Yellow Cards: Wright.

Attendance: 41.

Kevin Mochrie