The first competitive match of the season saw the Stan not just start on the road to Wembley but also travel to Coach Lane for a High Heaton derby against newly promoted Team North. 

After a winless run of 7 games against he students in the Northern League era, the Stan were desperate to win the derby and beat their bogey team. The crowd at the inhospitable coach lane was made up almost entirely of the Stan Army as they watched a Stan team which had not yet all played together this season. Some players were on holiday but keeper Matt Smith returned today from his holiday and sub Jacob Joyce only joined the club on Thursday. Ex-Toon Adam Laidler made his competitive debut for the Stan while former players Lawrence McKenna and Paul Chapman made their competitive return.

From kick-off, Team North appeared confident but the Stan competed immediately and Wright attacked but Holland was shuffed before he could receive his pass. The first 10 minutes was pretty even and played mainly in the centre of the perfect pitch. A Stan attack was blocked followed by a North attack which saw a player dive to get a free kick just outside the box. The free kick hit the wall and was eventually headed out for a North corner. Again, another North player dived in hope of a penalty but play continued and they shot over.

The Stan tried to attack and in 18 minutes a Jones corner ball was cleared in the crowded box but was sent back into the box by Jones with Ray going down under pressure before he could shoot. 5 minutes later Chapman had a good 40-yard effort that was caught by the keeper. The Stan continued to try to attack, although they were wasting chances, and Stoddart had to make a good clearance on 27 minutes. 

Things changed a minute later when Jones sent a great ball from the left to the advancing Wright in the centre who entered the box and was clearly brought down by North keeper Holden as he tried to go round him. Holden was booked and for some reason protested and in the 30th minute Wright blasted the penalty into the right-hand corner as Holden went the wrong way.  

Soon after Holden caught a Stan free-kick and Wright was then flagged offside as he shot. Ray and Smith both then cleared a North attack before Wright sent the ball up to McKenna who was fouled although the decision was given the other way. The Stan were battling well and growing in confidence while the North were increasingly wingeing and getting dirtier. The last 5 minutes of the half saw both sides attacking although the Stan were dealing effectively with North’s efforts.

After a minute of the second half, the Stan counter attacked and Wright shot just over from outside the box. The Stan attacked again although North countered but were blocked by Ray and then Smith caught the ball. The Stan had 2 further attacks with Jones being brought down in the box for what was a clear penalty. 

In 53 minutes Holland, who worked his socks off, made a great tackle to stop a home attack and then Smith saved well. North then had a number of attacks and shot wide. Stoddart worked well in defence all afternoon.

The Stan had a number of counter attacks and in 60 minutes a 5-player attack led to the ball coming back in from the left from Laidler and it nearly went in but was cleared by the keeper for a corner who then cleared the corner and punched away before Ray could head it. The ball came in again but Ray just missed getting to it. Stan made 2 clearances before they attacked again in 67 minutes which ended in Holland putting his shot over then bar. 

Smith then had to come out of his box to clear before another North attack was blocked twice. The ball from the resulting corner was eventually cleared and Holland counter attacked although Wright was deemed offside. 

There were 2 scary moments starting in 70th minute when Ray tried to clear and Smith then grabbed the ball then 3 minutes later Smith did well to clear a North counter attack. 2 minutes later a long home ball into the Stan box was missed by Smith but eventually put out for a corner. Holland eventually cleared the ball from the corner but was brought down by Ardelean who was booked. In 78 minutes Wright was brought down but his free kick was cleared. North countered but Stoddart dealt well with this.

The tension was nearly broken for the Stan Army in 79 minutes when sub Joyce was on the end of a Wright pass and advanced into the box followed by 2 defenders. He seemed to have too much time as he eventually shot at the keeper. Wright then shot over followed by a great save by Smith to stop a North deflected shot. 

Both teams continued to attack although North were looking more dangerous and Stoddart made a good clearance in 83 minutes. Joyce then attacked but North then shot just over. With 2 minutes to go, Joyce shot just wide under pressure and, after 2 Stan clearances, Joyce had another shot. Johnson then made a great run but failed to pass to Wright before he was tackled. 

Chapman cleared as the game entered 6 minutes of injury time with the Stan Army worrying that there would be a repeat of the last visit to Coach Lane in January when North scored in the 95th minute. The Stan worked hard to clear 4 North attacks before North shot just over. The Stan wasted an attack before North had a final corner that was cleared from in front of the goal-line.

As the final whistle blew the Stan Army, with no finger nails left, let out an almighty roar as the hoodoo was broken. Manager Dekka Thompson was delighted and went home to look out his suit for Wembley.

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Stoddart, James (Wear 75), Imray, Ray, Chapman, Holland, McKenna (Joyce 70), Wright, Jones (Johnson 64), Laidler. 

Subs Not Used: Yates, Hoggins. 

Goals: Wright 30 (Pen).

Yellow Cards: Stoddart.

Attendance: 95.

Kev Mochrie