The Stan surrendered their unbeaten league run in 2019 with a whimper, when a Kerry Hedley 65th minute goal gave Northallerton the points in a disappointing game.

Manager Derek Thompson made four changes to the Stan line up, with Sakellaropoulos, Burns, Mason & Hall replacing Bennet, Holland, Hoggins & Sayer respectively. New signing Liam Anderson was on the bench.

The Stan kicked off in spring like conditions at the Calvert Stadium with the Stan immediately on the attack with Kerridge putting a teasing cross in that was scrambled for a corner. With the game only 5mins old, a terrible tackle by Northallerton’s Jack Proctor on Kerridge results in a talking to when a yellow should’ve been the outcome. Burns had a weak shot which the Northallerton gloveman Dawson somehow fumbled but then recovered before Kerridge could pounce. It was no surprise when Kerridge had to be replaced by Sayer on 25mins, as he never really recovered from the bad tackle in the 5th minute.

It wasn’t till the 38th minute before the hosts had their first effort on goal, when a point blank header was brilliantly saved by Regan. Frustration was kicking in when Burns picked up a needless yellow for kicking the ball away. That proved to be the final action of a disappointing half.

Northallerton got us underway for the second half with both teams looking to improve, but the second half resembled the first. On 57mins Stan made a positive substitution when Mason was replaced by Fox, who almost had an immediate impact when he sent Burns through but his radar was off and his shot was well wide.

A poor cross from Sayer on 65mins saw Northallerton break, Regan made a good save, but the Stan defence was nowhere and Hedley taps the loose ball into the net to give the hosts the lead.

New signing Liam Anderson was introduced in the 73rd minute replacing Burns.

The hosts should have doubled their lead in the 83rd minute but Nicky Martin’s header was well wide. The Stan were huffing and puffing but not really accomplishing anything and this was summed up in the 85th minute when a hard, driven cross into the box by Campbell but no one was there.

The referee mercilessly blew for full time and the Stan’s unbeaten league run was over. The hosts weren’t that much better but this was a team that had conceded nine goals in their last two games.

The result means Northallerton move into third place, as Chester le Street also lost in the Northern League 2.

Next up for the Stan is another big game at home to Chester le Street next Saturday 2nd March, kick off is the usual 3pm.

Heaton Stannington: Regan, Middleton, Hall, Miller (C), Sakellaropoulos, Fulcher, Burns (Anderson 71), Mason (Fox 57), Campbell, Charmey, Kerridge (Sayer 25).

Subs Not Used: Imray, Holland.

Yellow Card: Burns.

Attendance 102.

Kev Carling