Saturday 11th October 2014

Heaton Stannington 3-0 Northallerton Town

Northern League Division 2

After two defeats in the cup and one against the Toon, the Stan got back to wining ways with a third consecutive league win. There were three changes but a full bench and Dodsworth and Wright got their league debuts.

The Stan quickly gained controlled of the first half and showed they meant business when a Johnson chance was blocked in the fourth minute. The visitors did then have a couple of chances but it was Wright who was looking dangerous. In the fourteenth minute he got past two defenders and hit the post but could not connect his head with the rebound. A minute later and he was one on one with the Northallerton keeper who deflected his attempt wide. It was third time lucky for Jon Jon in the eighteenth minute when he chipped the keeper to make it 1-0.

Rule punched a Northallerton shot over in the twenty fourth minute but a minute later it was 2-0. Burns was fouled in the box and Wright thumped the resulting penalty kick into the right hand corner of the net. There were then chances at either end though Cresswick came particularly close from a long shot that went just over.

In the second half Northallerton got more of the ball but few chances. In fact Rule was not tested until the eighty seventh minute when he made a fantastic full stretch save and then parried the rebound. Wright continued to worry the visitor’s defence and Telford had a good effort after sixty six minutes. He had a shot from the right which the keeper saved but he sent the rebound over the bar. Jon Jon then made a solo run and somehow kept the ball after passing two defenders but then saw his good effort saved. Dodsworth also got through on the keeper but was too close to have a shot.

After both himself and Wear shot just wide it was Jon Jon who secured the win when, two minutes into injury time, he made it 3-0. He was one on one with the keeper who clipped the ball but Wright kept going and scored. So it was a return to normal service as the Terminator got a hat trick on his league debut (and some chips). He was not happy though about having to watch the Scotland match in the clubhouse but you cannot have everything!


Stan Team: Rule: Hoggins; Deagle; Stoddart; Pearson; Telford; Creswick; Wear; Wright; Johnson, L (Dodsworth); Burns (Dixon, G).

Subs not used: Backhouse; McGarrigal; Johnson, A.

Goals: Wright 18, 25, 92.

Attendance: 126


Kevin Mochrie