Heaton Stannington completed a league double over a disappointing Northallerton Town side with the minimum of fuss, with a performance that was far more convincing that the score suggests. Following Tuesday’s titanic tussle with North Shields, it would have been understandable if The Stan had failed to motivate themselves for the visit of mid-table opposition; however, this was not the case as, despite a crowd almost 200 less than midweek (no doubt affected by the bemusing decision of many Stan regulars to watch Newcastle United being predictably dismantled by Manchester United, not to mention the understandably small travelling support from distant North Yorkshire ), Heaton put in a great shift throughout the game. In addition, these three vital points assured The Stan of finishing at worst in 5th position in Northern League Division 2, but still with an outside chance of overhauling both Seaham Red Star and Jarrow Roofing to accompany North Shields and West Allotment Celtic into the top division, to make it a north of the Tyne treble.

Dare to dream my friends; dare to dream, but only if we win all 5 remaining games.

If The Stan are to achieve the seemingly impossible and claim promotion, then chances must be taken rather than squandered. In the first period, Paul Mills stormed forward and drew a diving two-handed save from Northallerton keeper Hodgeson. When the ball was recycled by Jonathan Wright, Paul Blakey was desperately unlucky to see a quality effort hit the foot of the post and bounce to safety. Ben Telford and Jonathan Wright were both unlucky with strong drives that both drifted wide, before Lawrence McKenna was responsible for probably the miss of the season.

Excellent work down the left by Jonathan Wright saw The Stan striker cut the ball back for an unmarked McKenna in front of an open goal. From 3 yards out, Tred inexplicably fired the ball approximately 20 yards over the bar with the net gaping. Still, if Edin Dzeko can do that in the Premier League, we’ll allow our lads to do that in Northern League Division 2, once in a while. Thankfully, Jonathan Wright had his shooting boots on and 40 seconds into the second half, he gave Heaton the lead with a sublime lob over the on rushing Hodgeson from well outside the area that signalled goal from the second he struck it. This good work was almost undone moments later, when Shaun Backhouse had to acrobatically tip a Joe Wear headed back pass over the bar, with the dreaded OG statistic looming.

As is ever the case in such games, a second goal was a priority to give The Stan breathing space. Paul Blakey’s cut back gave Wright the opportunity to find this, but his shot drifted wide. The elusive 2-0 lead was established when Dean Deagle, showing admirable control of a rising ball from a corner, smashed the ball into the net on 68 minutes. It seemed as if the game had been won, but there was a late scare when Daniel McLachlan headed home from close range to halve the lead. However, Shaun Backhouse was not seriously tested and The Stan completed their twelfth home win with relative ease.

Stan Team: Backhouse, Telford, James, Blakey, Wear, Deagle, Mills, Johnson, Wright, McKenna, Dixon.

Subs: Smith, Hoggins, Carr. (Unsure who was used)

Goals: Wright 46, Deagle 68.

Yellow Cards: Wright.

Attendance: 78.

Kevin Mochrie