National Non League Day saw a great game and a bumper crowd of 237, but sadly for supporters of The Stan, this was the third successive defeat we have endured, following reverses to Stokesley and Chester Le Street. In the circumstances, what was required was a solid opening that would quieten a passionate home support and help confidence to flow through a much changed back 4, with only Gary McGarrigal remaining from the defence who’d played at Chester Le Street on Tuesday; unfortunately, Shields did not allow The Stan to settle.

On 7 minutes, Lee Chapman’s ball out of defence was intercepted by Adam Forster, who advanced into the area and fired an unstoppable shot across Shaun Backhouse, to give the home side the lead. For the opening 20 minutes, The Robins were well on top and were clearly the best opposition The Stan had faced this season so far; Shields are a stylish passing side who play a considered style of football that will make them very difficult to overhaul at the top of the table, if they continue to play at this standard for the rest of the campaign. However, despite having the lion’s share of possession and seeing one effort bounce down from the underside of the bar, Shields were unable to add to their single goal and thus The Stan came back into the game, having remained competitive throughout. Indeed, despite having failed to play to the level they are capable of, The Stan could have gone in level at half time, when Jonathan Wright burst through on goal and unleashed a fierce drive that flew just over the angle of Michael Robinson’s post and bar.

Unfortunately, The Stan suffered 2 injuries at the end of the first half, with Brian Dodsworth and Lee Johnson replaced by Johnny Mann and Darryl Leach respectively. These changes did not provide any solace for The Stan, who quickly fell 2-0 behind at the start of the second period. A minute after Wright had sent an effort just wide of Robinson’s far post, Dan Smart accepted a through ball and coolly lobbed the advancing Backhouse, which knocked the wind from The Stan’s sails. It soon became apparent that Graham Fenton’s side had the necessary skill and nous to close out a routine win.

Backhouse distinguished himself with a stunning save from Bainbridge, but was soon beaten again when John Grey’s cross took a wicked deflection and dropped perfectly for Smart to nod home at the back post with just over 10 minutes remaining. From that point on, Shields took their foot off the gas and The Stan were able to push forward in search of a consolation goal; this duly arrived when Gary Dixon displayed superb technique to arrow home a stunning low strike from distance, after being set up by Anthony Johnson, who impressed in his late cameo as The Stan’s final change.

After a great start to the season, Heaton Stannington are now in need of a confidence-boosting win. The stale defeat to Stokesley, the noble loss at Chester Le Street and this comprehensive reverse have seen a return of zero points from three games. This may be harsh on the team, but there is no point in either feeling sorry for ourselves or overreacting. It is a slight slump and not a crisis. Self-belief, determination and hard work will put things right. The best time to do so will be on Wednesday coming at Hall Lane, home of fellow newcomers to the Northern League, Willington.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards:

Attendance: 237

Goals: Dixon 85

Kevin Mochrie