The Stan went up into the hills in search of a fifth successive league win. There were three changes, two due to suspensions, which meant a first start for Taggart and a return debut from a depleted subs bench for Anthony Johnson. Despite it being a mild day it was clear that the swirling wind and uneven pitch would make it a difficult game for either team to play attractive football.

Heaton Stan adapted quicker to the conditions however and were unlucky not to go one up inside the first three minutes when a slick passing movement between Telford, Dodsworth and Wear found Wright but the striker’s shot was easily saved by Moffat in the home goal.

Just three minutes later however their persistence was rewarded when a cross from the left by Gary Dixon was headed towards goal by Burns and although his effort was cleared off the goal line, the ball fell to Taggart who struck home to open the scoring.

Taggart then increased the lead with the game just ten minutes old when he won a tussle with two Tow Law defenders on the left hand side of the penalty box before turning and cleverly chipping the home keeper. The start of the match was therefore the Taggart show but with no murders, only goals!

Fifteen minutes had been played before the home side caused any real threat and when Rule misread a cross from the right in the strong wind it resulted in the Lawyers forcing a series of three corners in succession until the danger was finally cleared.

For most of the half after that Rule safely handled anything that the home side could throw at him and it was not until ten minutes from the break, when Richardson narrowly headed over the bar from a Hewitson free kick, that there was any danger to his goal.

With the defensive pairing of Pearson and Stoddart looking very strong at the back, and Telford getting forward at every opportunity, the visitors were rewarded again when a loose ball was picked up by Wear. His cross into the box found Wright and, although the forward’s shot was blocked, the ball rebounded out to Dixon who blasted it into the net from twenty five yards out with the Tow Law defence and keeper left motionless.

Heaton Stannington were forced to make a substitution at the break due to work commitments by Lewis Burns so Anthony Johnson, his replacement, was introduced. And with the match just about won, if the home side’s chances could be kept to a minimum, the Stan players set about controlling the game and consequently most of the second period was played out with the Lawyers gaining very little advantage.

Any threat by the home team was dealt with competently by Stan keeper Dan Rule. In fact it was the visitors who had the best chance of the half when a through ball from Taggart found Johnson and although the substitute’s trickery deceived the Tow Law keeper a defender got back in time to lash the threat clear.

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

Subs not used: McGarrigal.

Goals: Taggart 6, 10, Dixon 40

Attendance: 66

Ken Rodger with additions by Steve Votadini and Kevin Mochrie