For a fixture billed as ‘behind closed doors’ there was a surprising number of spectators for this re-run of the friendly that took place in July. It may have been due to the fact that the doors were actually open but in reality it was far more likely that it was the combined attraction of the League Cup clash between Newcastle United and Manchester City televised in the bar that was drawing the crowds in.

With a Cypriot in goal and an Italian on the bench, there was an air of the Mediterranean in the Heaton Stannington team squad although the dark cold evening and the meat pies with mushy peas, that were served up after the match, quickly dispelled any similarity between this warm region and High Heaton.

The surprises didn’t stop there. Despite it being two days short of Halloween the Stan cast a spell straight from the start by fielding a goalkeeper at each end of the pitch. I was somewhat disappointed to find out later that this was due to the inability of Shankhouse to field their own as opposed to the wizardry of Dekka!

It was Shaun Backhouse in the Shankhouse goal that had to make the first real save of the game from Wright who after a good pass from Taggart ran into the box and took a sixteen yard shot from the left. Gary Dixon should have put the Stan one up after fifteen minutes but, despite plenty of time, hit the post from near the penalty spot.

It wasn’t until thirty minutes into the game that Adriano Skanos, the Stan’s new Cypriot goalkeeper, got his first real taste of action and although his ‘up and under’ to clear some pressure was not the most auspicious of starts it was effective.

Half time: 0 – 0.

The Stan made three changes at half time bringing on Luke Watson, Ben Telford and Italian trialist Gian Paulo. Unfortunately, quite soon after the restart, they were under pressure and gave away a penalty that was duly converted. I missed the circumstances of the penalty, but the linesman noted to the crowd afterwards that he was not sure the infringement was in the penalty box as he could not see the lines – Michael Chell, the Stan’s hospitalised chief groundsman, we are missing you already!

Following this set back the Stan gradually gained the ascendancy and were eventually rewarded a penalty when Jon Jon was fouled goal-bound after receiving an excellent short looping pass from Taggart. Despite Shaun going the right way Wright converted with a powerful spot kick into the right hand corner to make it 1 – 1.

After this the game felt more and more like a friendly with most of the passion being played out off the pitch, but nevertheless ‘on the pitch’ on the TV in the bar, as Newcastle United were on course for an unlikely victory. Suffice to say, even the intrepid match reporter ended up preferentially watching the ‘big match’ after all it was only a friendly!

Result: 1 – 1.

Stan Team:

Subs:

Goals: Wright

Attendance:

Neil Gammack