A large crowd saw the Stan take on Division 1 opposition with the Bay team including ex-Stan Kevin Carr. There was a debut in the 2nd half for French student Bilah Nakhli. 

There was an early attack at each end with Wright forcing a stretching backwards save by the Bay keeper which tipped the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Miller headed over. Hall cleared after 7 minutes but Bay were 1-0 up 2 minutes later when after the defence didn’t clear, Fuller walked the ball into the net.

Both teams attacked although Bay came closest in 16 minutes when they shot over the bar. Both teams were getting chances but it was Whitley who doubled their lead in 30 minutes when a clumsy tackle in the box resulted in trialist Keens scoring from the penalty.

 It was 3-0 in 34 minutes when another trialist advanced in the middle, but from an offside position, and shot past Brook. Robertson had a good effort on 39 minutes but the Stan ended the half 3-0 behind. For much of the 1st half the Stan matched their visitors but the Bay were more clinical in front of goal and were helped by a relatively soft penalty and a missed offside.

 It was 4-0 in 49 minutes when Bays No 11 gave Brook no chance with a 20-yard shot. 2 minutes later and another Whitley attack into the box was easily tapped in the goal by Brooks. 3 minutes later Robertson shot over followed by a Burns shot being put over the bar by the keeper. In 56 minutes a Bay free kick went over the wall and was punched clear by Brook. 2 minutes later he had to clear over his own bar and Bay kept attacking.

 The last 18 minutes saw the Stan get back into the game and it started in 72 minutes when the ball was crossed to Robertson who blasted it into the net. A Burns run then saw him blast the ball across the goal and the Stan then hit the post. Robertson then forced a save before shooting over. Although it was mainly pressure by the Stan now, the visitors went 6-1 up in 81 minutes when poor defending allowed a player to chip Brook at close range.

Both teams had late chances with the best effort coming from Salim in the last minute. Despite the result it was good practice for the Stan as they next welcome Blyth Spartans reserves this coming Saturday.

Heaton Stannington: Brook (Regan 45), Lowes, Sayer, Miller (C), Middleton (Hall 57), Imray, Holland, Mason (Bailey 61), Wright (Mason 80), Salim, Kerridge.  

Referee: Peter Osgood.

Attendance: 150.

Kevin Mochrie