There were 4 changes from Saturday. New signing Matthew Hayton made his debut while Kevin Westphal also made his competitive debut from the bench. The match reporters also changed at half time as Neil’s pencil was getting too heavy.

After their first league win of the season at Billingham Town, Heaton were keen to add another 3 points. The game started encouragingly enough but it came to an unexpected stop within 15 minutes. The referee, Craig Chatten, sustained an ankle injury following a seemingly insignificant incident where he was struck by the ball and was replaced by one of the assistant referees, Keith Jobling. This whole incident resulted in a 15 minute delay as the assistant referee in turn had to be replaced by spectator Mick Laffey for the first half and an Easington Colliery ‘representative’ in the second half.

Following the restart, Heaton started to command the game with Wright being at the epicentre of a 10 minute spell where he hit a free-kick just over the bar, hit the crossbar with a 25 yard left-foot shot and eventually scored with an 18 yard right-foot shot. Quite soon afterwards Wright won a penalty, following some tenacious play in the box, but he missed from the spot pulling the ball past the post.

After 35 minutes, Heaton went 2-0 up with an excellent header from Dodsworth following a Wright cross. Easington however ended the first half strongly with, most notably, a 20 yard pile-driver of a shot that resulted in a double-save by Backhouse as he also had to stop another shot following his initial save.

The Stan had a few chances early on in the second half. In the 50th minute though, Backhouse went up for a cross, missed the ball and Luke Page headed it in to make it 2-1. Two minutes later and the Stan regained their 2 goal lead when Telford got through on the right of the box and shot low and hard.

Easington were getting more into the game but the Stan still managed a shot over the bar and Telford had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. In the 67th minute, the visitors headed just over. In the 72nd minute, Backhouse ran out and collided with an Easington player who was running in and the referee awarded a penalty. Hoggins came on for Wright and immediately went in goals. The free kick was blocked by the wall.

In the 76th minute a corner ball into a crowded Stan box was headed in by Page to make it 3-2. A minute later and Hoggins, who played well in goals, parried away an Easington attempt who then also had an attempt hit the bar. This led to an Easington corner which eventually resulted in the ball being blasted towards goal but Hoggins made a good save.

In the 81st minute he made 2 other great saves. What a keeper! From the corner, the Easington overhead kick went over. The Stan attacked against the run of play in the 89th minute and then put the resulting free kick over. Easington then headed a corner just wide.

The Stan held on to win 3-2.

Stan Team: Backhouse; Scott; Morrison; Ray; Wear; Dodsworth; Telford; Weeks (Westphal); Wright (Hoggins); Hayton; Watson (Axon).

Unused Subs: Johnson, L;Quine.

Goals: Wright*, Dodsworth 35, Telford 52

Yellow Cards: Morrison.

Red Card: Backhouse.

Attendance: 117

Neil Gammack and Kevin Mochrie