The Stan fielded an unchanged team for the 3rd match in a row as they aimed for 8 home league wins in a row, 7 wins in a row and 9 out of 10 league wins in a row. In fact lots of in a row. We also had a visit from Jill and family who are the Stan Army London Supporters Branch.

In blustery conditions, Stoddart cleared a high ball into the box after 4 minutes and the visitors then got a corner. After that, the Stan had most of the possession and in 7 minutes Robinson broke free but was tackled in the box. 2 minutes later and a long ball to an advancing Wright saw the keeper make a poor clearance for a corner which Jon Jon took and sent straight to the keeper. Holland was then brought down just outside the box and the resulting free-kick was cleared. Brandon then got forward twice with Smith catching just before a forward got to the ball.

In 16 minutes Robinson had a good opportunity when supplied by Wright but he shot over the bar. Good defending by Ray then stopped a Brandon attack and 2 minutes later Dixon and Smith stopped a counter attack. Smith then had to make a clearance followed soon after by a save. A Stan free-kick was then cleared in the box just before Imray could head it. Brandon counter attacked but then it was mainly back to the Stan for a prolonged period.

Jones started a number of attacks and he had a shot which went just wide. A ball in by Robinson was just too far ahead of Wright for him to make contact with. A Dixon and Jones attack was then blocked followed by Jones blasting into the side net in 30 minutes. The Stan continued to attack and a Jones free kick eventually led to Robinson, in the 33rd minute, crossing the ball in from the right near the corner flag with Johnson rising majestically like a Paddy Freeman pond minnow to head down and into the net. 

He then had a shot blocked in the box followed by Jones shooting over the bar. Brandon did then have a rare attack with Robinson tackling well and the ball was eventually cleared. Wright counter-attacked but his shot went well over the bar. The Stan attacked again but it was Brandon who nearly scored in the 44th minute when Johnson had to clear off the line.

The 2nd half started with Smith making 2 catches but under no real danger. Brandon then had 2 shots which went wide. In 49 minutes a ball to Robinson saw the keeper just get to it 1st. A minute later and another Stan attack saw Jones try to get past 3 defenders and his eventual shot was deflected back to Wright outside the box who calmly volleyed the ball into the net. 

Wright then had an effort cleared but Brandon then got a corner from which Thompson headed into the net at the far post to make it 2-1. It was the 1st goal that the Stan had conceded at home in 7 matches.

After a Robinson attack was blocked in 56 minutes, Brandon’s Clarke broke free but was stopped by a great tackle by Dixon. The Stan then defended a corner well with Wright counter-attacking but his chip to Johnson in the box was blocked. In 62 minutes, Wright shot wide from a free kick and 2 minutes later he was brought down in the box but only a corner was given. 

There was then a sustained attack by the Stan with Imray’s header blocked and Wear eventually heading over after Wright had been fouled for a free-kick. In 68 minutes, Jones made a fantastic solo run where he beat 3 defenders and then blasted the ball into the net.

In 76 minutes Jones shot wide and soon after Deagle shot over from a free kick. The visitors had their 1st effort in a long time in 81 minutes which was deflected for a corner. A 2nd corner saw Smith eventually clear. In 85 minutes, Stoddart started an attack and when the ball came back to him he passed to Yates in the box who got up to head the ball but the keeper got a hand to it. The ball then went out to Deagle who hit the post. A minute later and Deagle attacked down the left and crossed into the box where the legend Yates was waiting to slot the ball past the keeper for 4-1. Brandon didn’t give up in the final few minutes as Smith had to clear twice and Ray also cleared although the match finished with Wright being flattened.

The win keeps the club in 5th place but closer to Billingham Town in 4th who lost and who host the Stan on Tuesday. As 3rd place Synthonia also lost, the Stan (with games in hand) are now in the promotion race even if there is only an outside chance of achieving it. Watch this space.

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Stoddart, Dixon, Wear (C), Ray, Johnson, Holland (Deagle), Imray, Jones, Wright, Robinson (Yates).

Sub Not Used: Fulcher.

Goals: Johnson 33, Wright 50, Jones 68, Yates 86.

Attendance: 105.

Kevin Mochrie