A large crowd turned up in blustery conditions to see the Stan push for promotion but instead, despite 2 goals from Jon Jon, they were well beaten and lost at home in the league for the first time since 12 April last year. There were 2 changes with one being for Jake Turnbull who signed for Ashington in the morning. Hebburn included ex Stan Dan Robinson.

The first 10 minutes was dominated by Hebburn who, after blasting the ball over the bar from a free kick in the first minute, had 3 other attacks including forcing a catch from Smith. The Stan’s first attack and effort came in the 10th minute when, direct from a corner, Wright skimmed the bar and hit the far post. The Stan had 2 further attacks blocked before a Hebburn attack in 16 minutes saw the ball cleared twice before the visitors eventually shot wide. 

Smith then made 2 catches with the second from a free kick by the Hebburn keeper from the half way line. In the 20th minute, Imray hooked the ball just over the bar from the edge of the box. After 2 more Hebburn attacks, in 25 minutes Jones crossed to Wright in the box. The ball went straight to defender Donaghy but he could not hold onto it and it rolled behind him to Wright who calmly slotted the ball past Hubery in the Hebburn goal. 

Hebburn then shot wide and 2 Stan attacks were cleared in the 30th minute. A minute later and the Stan were 2-0 up when Jones sent a great ball to Wright who intercepted it between the advancing keeper and a defender and he shot from the edge of the box. Hebburn had had most of the ball but Wright had put away his 2 chances although things began to change in the 34th minute when Sherlock sent a 30-yard shot through the crowded Stan box which went into the far corner of the net beating the diving Smith.

In 37 minutes Smith punched the ball away from a Hebburn corner then the ball from the second corner was eventually cleared from the crowded box. In 40 minutes a Hebburn free kick was headed off the line by Hall. A minute later the Stan attacked but Hebburn counter attacked and Shaw got past the defence exposing Smith who stopped half way when advancing which allowed Shaw to tap the ball past him for the equaliser. 

In the 45th minute, Hebburn had a shot blocked in the box and the rebound was blasted into the net from 6 yards by Smith. 2 minutes into injury time and Smith had to punch the ball over the bar from a corner but it was poor defending that had resulted the Stan going into half time 2-3 down after leading 2-0 although Hebburn had been the better team.

The second half started more quietly although the Stan were further behind after 54 minutes when Malley headed into the net at the back post from a cross. The wind was getting up and swirling which was not helping the Stan either. In 58 minutes, the match was sealed when Ray lost possession allowing a Hebburn player to put the ball into the box to Dan Robinson and as expected he got his goal against his former club from close range. 

2 minutes later and Hebburn put the ball across the goal line but luckily it went wide after being missed by 4 Stan defenders. The Stan then attacked twice with Jones’s long shot being caught by the keeper. In 72 minutes sub Hoggins got past a defender and both him and the keeper went for the ball with Ritchie getting to it but he some how rolled it wide. The Stan had a number of attacks, including 3 corners in a row, but these were relatively ineffective and too late although Hebburn did have to clear of the line in injury time. 

The Stan lacked shape and organisation and deservedly lost for the first time at home this season. The top 2 teams also lost though so there is still all to play for in the promotion race and the defeat did not stop the players and fans enjoying Gary Yates retirement do in the evening.

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Ray (Tait 62), Hall, Middleton, Imray (C), Bailey, Holland, Robertson, Wright (McKenna 70), Jones (Hoggins 66), Salim. 

Sub Not Used: Wear. 

Goals: Wright 25, 31.

Referee: G. Todua.

Assistants: Ovi Caraiman, Andrew Elliott.

Attendance: 194.

Kevin Mochrie