Although it does not seem long since the end of the marathon 10 month 2015-16 season, the 2016-17 season has kicked off with the first of 3 pre-season friendlies taking place at Washington. A training match had actually taken place at Grounsell Park on the previous Wednesday (6 July) when the Stan beat the new reserve team (Heaton Stannington ‘A’) 5-1. The goals were supplied by 2 new signings with Abu Salim scoring a hat-trick and Dan Robinson getting two. Heaton travelled without a recognised goalkeeper and forward Gary Yates elected to fill the void. There were debuts for new signings Paul Buzzeo, Paul Antony, Dan Robinson and Abu Salim. There were also first starts, on their return to the Stan, for Dan Deagle and Lee Johnson.

The home side attacked from the start and were two goals up inside the first fourteen minutes when slack marking from a corner kick allowed Walton to fire home and then five minutes later the same player got his second when he was quickest to latch on to a through ball and place it wide of Yates. On thirty five minutes Dan Robinson had a great chance to reduce the arrears when he found himself one on one with the keeper but placed his shot wide of the post.

Three minutes later the Stan went further behind when Davis shot home following a cross to the far post, and just prior to the half time whistle, the home side were awarded a free kick out on the right which Wardle met with a powerful header to give the home side a four goal advantage at the break.

The Stan created better openings at the start of the second half and Rowntree forced his way through but was upended just as he was about to shoot. The resultant free-kick, taken by Jones, was saved at the second attempt by the home keeper. Heaton were taking the game to Washington at this point and a Jones effort hit the crossbar after a good passing movement between him and Rowntree. With ten minutes remaining, and following a Dean Deagle shot that went just wide, Rowntree was rewarded for his tireless running when he bundled the ball home from close range to give the Stan a consolation goal.

Team: Yates; Buzzeo; Dixon; Wear; Scott; Antony; Bailey; Deagle; Robinson; Jones; Salim.

Subs: Stoddart; Walker, B; Rowntree; Johnson. (All used).

Goals: Rowntree 80.

Attendance: c. 10 non-staff