Facing first division opposition in a competitive match for the first time this season, Heaton Stannington gave a good account for themselves against Marske United who are currently second top of the Ebac Northern League First Division table and are expected to be strong challengers for the title.

Both teams had received a bye in the first round of this cup. With two changes from Saturday and having only thirteen players to call on for the second game in succession, the Stan were struck a further blow when Lewis Burns pulled up during the warm up and had to be replaced by Tony Johnson before play began.

The match began with Marske attacking from the outset and Dan Rule was called upon to make two fine saves in the opening six minutes. However it was Heaton who went ahead in the ninth minute when Marske full back Hillarby, attempting to play the ball out of defence, was robbed by Dodsworth who threaded the ball through to Wright and Jon Jon made no mistake when he ran on to beat Dean in the home goal.

The home side continued to have the major share of possession but did not really trouble the Stan goal until the twenty fifth minute when, following a ball played in from the right, Garvie cleverly deceived Pearson and the defender brought him down inside the penalty area leaving referee Tony Peart no alternative but to give a spot kick which was scored by Gott.

With the Stan defending well and attempting to keep the score level until the interval they were stunned when a simple cross, on forty minutes, was floated in from the left by Garvie and looked to be an easy catch for Rule but the keeper, who had previously kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves, fumbled his attempt and dropped the ball over his goal line.

Half Time Marske United 2 Heaton Stannington 1 I

t was an even start to the second period but the home side went further ahead on fifty five minutes when, following a corner kick, Wheatley got between Hoggins and McGarrigal to poke the ball home at the far post to make it 3-1 to Marske. The same player should have scored again one minute later when he headed wide of the post from another corner kick.

Ten minutes later Heaton looked to have genuine claims for a penalty themselves when Telford was pushed down inside the area but the referee ignored the claims and waived play on. The Stan’s persistence was rewarded soon after though when a tremendous shot from Dodsworth was palmed around the post by the Marske keeper. His joy was short lived however when the resultant corner kick was stabbed home by McGarrigal who made it 3-2.

The visiting side battled well for an equaliser and looked to have got it four minutes from time when Wright teed up Lee Johnson whose shot was goal ward bound with the keeper well beaten but full back Hillarby raced back to clear the ball off the line.

The full backs clearance found Garvie who played it on to substitute Melvin to run through and register his side’s fourth goal, somewhat against the run of play. This effort demoralised the Stan and further pain was inflicted when Man of the Match Garvie scored in time added on to give a 5-2 score-line that flattered the home side.

Stan Team: Rule; Hoggins; Pearson; Stoddart; McGarrigal; Dixon, G; Telford; Wright; Dodsworth; Johnson, L; Johnson, A.

Sub not used: Ray

Goals: Wright 9, McGarrigal 68.

Attendance:

Ken Rodger