The Stan travelled to the borders of Scotland for what is believed to be their first international away match. The friendly took place at Yarrow Park against Selkirk of the Scottish Lowland league. A lively coach full of players, officials and the travelling Stan Army made the journey although they made the mistake of asking a local drunk for directions to the ground. Everyone at Selkirk was very hospitable and helped make it a great day out for the Stan. Some on the coach even managed to take home a Selkirk bannock, a type of fruit cake which the town is famous for.

It was warm, windy and overcast in the Ettrick valley where there were debuts for Dean Imray and Daniel Quine along with substitutes Carl Morrison and Michael Scott. Selkirk’s team included former Scotland international and ex-Spartak Moscow player Gary O'Connor.

The Stan started the match as they ended last season, on the attack and hungry for goals. In the third minute, after attacks at each end, Dodsworth went up for the ball in the home box but the keeper caught it.

A minute later and Carr shot over the bar. It was end to end for most of the first half and Selkirk were first to get the ball in the net after thirteen minutes but it was flagged for off side. It was the Stan who took the lead two minutes later when, from a corner, the ball ricocheted off Wear and into the net. 

It was end to end again although the Stan were lucky when Rule passed to a Selkirk forward who narrowly shot wide. In the twenty fourth minute, a Stoddart cross was caught by the wind and hit the bar. The Selkirk keeper then caught it but lost control and the ball nearly went in the net.

There were good attacking moves by Telford and Dodsworth including when the latter hit the post from a free kick. With fifteen minutes to half time, Rule had to make three saves. 

In the forty first minute he had to parry the ball from an O’Connor free kick. Three minutes later and the pressure paid off for Selkirk. A counter attack down the right saw the ball crossed across the goal but was missed by Rule. The ball hit the far post and rebounded out to the unmarked O’Connor who calmly shot past Rule.

Half time saw all the subs come on (and the sun come out) except for Scott who had replacedDeagle in the nineteenth minute. They replaced Quine, Telford, Carr, Imray and Rule. Selkirk’s O’Connor was also replaced. Later in the half, Telford, Deagle and Quine came back on for Stoddart, Rowntree and Dodsworth. 

From the kick off, Selkirk attacked and Weeks tripped a home forward and a penalty was given. It was put away to make it 2-1 to Selkirk. Both sides continued their attacking approach and Dodsworth supplied a good ball to Rowntree in the fifty first minute which was just offside. 

Selkirk should have scored six minutes later beating Backhouse but shooting just wide. In the sixtieth minute the Selkirk defence were beaten by a run which saw Rowntree pass to Yates who passed back to Rowntree who then shot and scored. Linesman Campbell, who gave nothing to the Stan all afternoon, waved for offside. After discussions with the referee, the goal was given and it was now 2-2.

In the seventy second minute, Campania made a run down the right wing and crossed to Rowntree who headed in to make it 3-2 to the Stan. Two minutes later and the Selkirk number nine ran in on goals. Backhouse ran out but missed judged his timing and the forward was able to shoot past him, even with two defenders closing in on him, to make it 3-3. 

Although Selkirk also had chances, the Stan kept attacking with the best chance coming five minutes from time when Walker shot straight at the keeper. Selkirk should have scored three minutes later when a striker beat the defence and shot wide. 

The match though ended 3-3 and it was then time for the party to resume.

Heaton Stannington: Rule, Stoddart, Deagle, Weeks, Wear, Imray, Telford, Dodsworth, Quine, Rowntree, Carr.

Subs (All Used): Backhouse, Campania, Walker, Morrison, Scott, Yates.

Kevin Mochrie