On a cold night and on a near perfect pitch, the Stan hoped to get only their second win against North in the Northern League era while the home side were looking for revenge for August’s FA cup defeat. There were 3 changes from the Ryton match and, due to suspensions, injuries and the transfer of Petrache to Jarrow Roofing, the defence only consisted of 1 defender.

The match started relatively quietly although North had a free kick cleared after 3 minutes and Smith had to make a double save with his feet after 7 minutes before North shot wide. A Stan counter a minute later saw Turnbull shoved but nothing given. In 13 minutes Smith caught a long shot followed by Robinson holding the ball up for Turnbull whose shot was cleared. North, who looked more organised, continued to attack the Stan goal which meant the Stan only had one attack during the next 10 minutes. 

After 25 minutes there was a good move by Salim followed by an effort by Laidler. North countered but Smith got a hand to the shot to put it out for a corner and prevent a goal. Robinson was deliberately brought down in 27 minutes as he was about to break through and the keeper saved the ball from the free kick. Salim was then hacked down but nothing was given. 

In 35 minutes Smith punched clear which allowed Robinson to counter and he passed to Turnbull who sent a ball in for him but he couldn’t get to it. In 39 minutes, a North player got past the defence but Smith made a great save with his legs to deny him. Smith was again the hero when he ran out to block then catch a home effort. Turnbull was brought down in the 42nd minute as he broke forward and the resulting free kick went straight to the keeper. Salim was then brought down again but again no card was shown. The half finished with a couple of Stan chances although they were very lucky to be level and not to be losing by a few goals.

In 47 minutes North got a free kick which resulted in Smith making a fantastic save by tipping a shot over his bar. 2 minutes later and the Stan shot just over followed by another 3 Stan attacks. The Stan had started the second half more positively and were pressing for a goal including in 53 minutes when a great long ball by McKenna was sliced wide by Robinson. 

4 minutes later and a North attack was cleared. Salim broke but again was sliced down. The keeper caught from the free kick and the Stan attacked 3 times including the ball being blocked on the 6 yard line. A North player then broke through the defence in 65 minutes but Smith made himself big to make a fantastic block. 

There were then 2 North and 2 Stan attacks before a collision in the Stan box in 72 minutes saw a North penalty awarded and Smith dived the wrong way. 4 minutes later a great long shot into the top left corner gave Smith no chance and it was 2-0. 

The last 10 minutes saw both teams attacking and being blocked with the best effort coming in the 90th when North beat the Stan defence but shot just wide. A minute into injury time and the Stan were back in it when a Salim cross was tapped into the left corner of the home net by advancing sub Hoggins. The Stan pressed for an equaliser although the last shot, which hit the post, came from a Team North player. 

The Stan’s second half performance had been better than the 1st, apart from Smith who was great throughout the match, but it wasn’t enough to allow the dream of a St. James’ Park final to continue.

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Holland, Laidler, Ray, McKenna, Dixon, Turnbull, Bailey (C), Robinson (Hoggins 72), Tait (Wear 85), Salim.

Goals: Hoggins 90(+1).

Attendance: 160.

Kevin Mochrie