The Stan were back to winning ways as they travelled to the seaside for their first away league fixture since 18 November last year at Bedlington. There was one change from last week’s defeat with Laidler coming in for Ray and new signing Andrew Keenan was unused on the bench. The Stan Army were at Welfare Park in force, when they eventually found the ground hidden at the back of a park, and were made welcome at this scenic ground, especially by being served coffee in proper mugs.

On a damp afternoon, there was no Aubameyang in the opposition but the Stan made hard work of things in the first half and their performance reminded the fans of the one last week when they were beaten by Hebburn. Easington dominated the early play although the first clear effort wasnt until the 5th minute when a shot was blocked by Smith then blocked by a defender for a corner. 2 minutes later Hall headed clear when Easington attacked again. Wright counter attacked but the ball was too far ahead. 

The home team then the Stan attacked before another Easington attack required 2 clearances. Easington attacked again and were on top but without looking like scoring although they put the ball over the bar in 13 minutes. Robertson then had a long shot that went well wide. After a few quieter minutes, Easington had 2 more attacks followed in the 20th minute by a speculative long shot from Wright which went just over. 

A Stan attack was then blocked with Jones’s rebound shot being put out for a throw in. It was taken by Holland who sent the ball to Robertson on the edge of the box who brought it down and blasted it into the net. In 23 minutes, a Wright free kick was blocked and the follow up shot was cleared. A minute later and Easington got a soft corner which was put into the box to their unmarked No5 who made it 1-1.

The Stan were failing to take control of the game and Smith had to catch followed by Holland stopping an attack and then Salim. In the 38th minute, after a quieter spell, an Easington attack was headed over the bar. Laidler then made a good cross into the box but the keeper intercepted. 

Holland, who had a great game, was making good work running up and down the right wing and he sent a good ball in for Robertson that was blocked. Easington countered and Smith put their effort just wide with a great save. The ball from the resulting corner was sent across the goal and was chested down by the unmarked No9 at the back of the goal who then made it 2-1 to Easington in the 39th minute. 

Salim had a free kick cleared and he then blasted the eventual rebound shot well over. In 42 minutes, Laidler made a good tackle to halt an Easington attack although Salim was then booked for an enthusiastic tackle. In the last minute of the half, Salim passed to Wright who broke through the defence and was brought down by a defender when they tussled but nothing was given.

The Stan could only be better in the second half, especially after conceding 2 goals from corners, and they were assisted by half time substitute Richie Hoggins who attacked immediately. An Easington attack was then eventually cleared before Hoggins attacked again but slipped. 

The match was more competitive now as both teams tried to attack but it was the Stan who were successful in 52 minutes when Wright worked his socks off going down the right wing, jinked past 2 players and crossed to the eager Hoggins who headed into the net. 2 minutes later an Easington shot hit the corner of the bar and left post and another attack was then cleared. A ball up to Imray saw him flattened but nothing was given. 

In 62 minutes, a Stan attack saw Wright blocked. The resulting corner was cleared out to Jones just outside the box but he shot over. The next Stan attack led to a counter but good tackling by Imray halted it. Hall, who had a poor game, was put the wrong way in 64 minutes but Smith caught. 

The home team then sent a free kick wide but they were having few chances now. A speculative Wright long shot in 70 minutes went well over when he should have passed to Holland. The Stan were looking better and now working together. 

In 73 minutes a Robertson corner ball went to Wright outside the box and his curving shot was just got to by the keeper. It was all Stan now, with the home side not looking like scoring, and Easington were finding it difficult to deal with Holland’s runs. 

In 80 minutes the ball was knocked forward to Wright who somehow got the ball under pressure but a defender put it out for a corner which was then cleared. The Stan had 2 more attacks including a corner.  

In 86 minutes, Wright turned a defender on the half way line and made a long run keeping going and shooting past the advancing keeper to put the Stan 3-2 up. No one else on the pitch could have done this. It was then backs to the wall for the remaining few minutes and 4 minutes of injury time although McKenna did shoot just over in 88 minutes. 

Holland was defending well but Easington had a shot that hit the post in the crowded box. Easington kept battering the Stan defence but they could not get past them and the Stan held on for a 3-2 win.

Manager Derek Thompson was pleased with the result and, despite the torrential rain at the end of the match, the Stan Army left delighted as after the gloom of last week’s home defeat they are now back on the promotion trail.

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Holland, Laidler, Middleton, Hall, Imray (C), Salim (Hoggins 46), Bailey, Wright, Robertson (McKenna 80), Jones. 

Subs Not Used: Fulcher, Keenan. 

Goals: Robertson 21, Hoggins 52, Wright 86.

Yellow Cards: Salim, Jones.

Referee: Gary Hargrave.

Assistants: Andrew Broadbent, Denis Matuszek.

Attendance: 77.

Kevin Mochrie