A healthy crowd of 112, especially given Benfield were also at home in the league cup semi-final, watched as the Stan tried to get back to winning ways. They did more than just that with a joined up performance and a 5-1 win. There was one change with Imray dropped to the bench allowing Anderson to make his 1st start. Robinson was back on the bench after long term injury. Dekka was in the dugout looking forward to still leading the Stan next season while his look-a-like Boris Johnson does not know if he’ll be managing the country or whether Brexit will take place.

It was all Stan for the 1st 20 minutes with Brandon not having a shot. Campbell was looking dangerous from the start although the best early effort came after 10 minutes when a long ball to Anderson saw him break free into the box where he blasted a shot but Robinson in the Brandon goal made a great save. A minute later and a long ball to Campbell in the box saw his shot blocked but the ball went out to Holland who put it just wide. 2 minutes later and a Campbell shot was blocked followed by a miss hit shot by Charmey. A Stan corner was headed clear followed by Charmey sending a free kick well over then bar. In 18 minutes a joined up attack saw Campbell facing an open goal but he somehow shot wide. 

Brandon headed wide after 20 minutes but it was then back to the Stan. Anderson broke free but was blocked then Miller’s header was put out for a corner. In 23 minutes Holland advanced down the middle, glided round a defender and calmly shot past the keeper for 1-0. What a goal. In 26 minutes Campbell headed over although Regan then had to make a catch. There were then a number of wasted efforts before a Sayer cross to Anderson saw him head the ball but a goal was prevented by a great save by Robinson. 

Brandon had their 1st corner in 34 minutes but the Stan lead was extended in 37 minutes. Anderson sent the ball to Campbell in the box but as he tried to shoot, Brandon’s Brown took it from him and kicked it into his net for an own goal. In the 40th minute it was 3-0 when a joined up attack saw Kerridge volley from 30 yards through the crowded box and into the net via the underside of the bar. A Campbell long shot was saved by Robinson. Kerridge had the ball in the net again after 43 minutes but Anderson was off-side. So the goals eventually came after lots of chances and the Stan went into the interval 3-0 up.

The 2nd half started more quietly but in 57 minutes the Stan make it 4-0 when Middleton’s header was saved by Robinson but Sayer headed in the rebound from close range. From 61 minutes there were 2 Robinsons on the pitch when the Stan’s Dan replaced Campbell. Brandon headed wide in 64 minutes but it was 5-0 after 68 minutes when a Charmey free kick into the box was directed into the net by a glancing header by Dan Robinson. 

In 71 minutes Hoggins headed wide and 3 minutes later a Brandon free kick went through the wall and forced a great save by Regan. After more Stan pressure, Brandon got a consolation in 86 minutes. Regan made a great save, then a block but the ball wasn’t cleared and Brandon make it 5-1. In the last few minutes Robinson had a shot blocked, Regan cleared and Robinson made a flying save to prevent a Charmey goal from 25 yards. 

With Northallerton drawing, the Stan are now only now 3 points off 3rd place with a huge home match against league leaders Thornaby on Saturday.

Heaton Stannington: Regan, Middleton, Sayer, Miller (C), Hall, Fulcher (Mason 70), Holland, Charmey, Campbell (Robinson 60), Anderson, Kerridge (Hoggins 65). 

Sub Not Used: Imray. 

Goals: Holland 23, Own Goal 37, Kerridge 40, Sayer 57, Robinson 68.

Yellow Card: Middleton.

Referee: Karl Barron.

Assistants: Keith Jobling, Tom Ludlow.

Attendance 112.

Kevin Mochrie