I am pleased to say it was yet another beautiful evening for the second last home pre-season friendly. After a poor performance on Friday, it was back to wining ways against first division opposition. Given the change in ownership at Celtic Nation last week, it was unclear whether the Carlisle side would be able to field a team. Even with some big name departures in the last few days, the Celtic team still contained a number of former league players and offered a stiff challenge to the Stan. There were changes from Friday though for the Stan and with Shaun Backhouse still at Butlins, Daniel Rule remained in goals. Jonathan Wright again did not play although hopefully he will soon be swapping back his place on the terracing for the hallowed turf of Grounsell Park very soon.

The healthy crowd (that is in terms of numbers as many were eating chips) witnessed a good display of football. Both teams tried to play football with the Stan having slightly the better of the first half. Paul Blakey put the Stan ahead in twenty minutes. It remained end to end although the Stan looked like they were heading for a half time lead. With five minutes to go though a dodgy back pass allowed a Celtic player to sneak in and it was 1-1.

The second half again saw both teams continue to play attacking football. The stalemate was broken in the sixtieth minute when a hand ball in the box resulted in a penalty for the Stan. Lee Johnson took it well and it was 2-1. The Stan kept the pressure on although there were chances at either end. With fifteen minutes to go the Stan had two close shots followed by a shot over the bar by Celtic. The Carlisle team then survived their goalkeeper dropping the ball and then they also just missed scoring from a deflected free kick with five minutes to go.

There were more chances at either end although Heaton Stannington held on to win 2-1. Now after seven games in eighteen days it has been an impressive six wins and only one defeat for Heaton Stannington. So forget green and white and forget red white and blue it’s the black and white of the Stan that Northern League fans should be looking out for in the new season.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Goals: Blakey 20, Lee Johnson 60 (pen)

Attendance:

Kevin Mochrie