The Stan made it ten games unbeaten, with nine won, when they claimed their second Northern League division one team scalp in a week with a 1-0 win away to a good Ashington side.

In contrast to last weeks end to end stuff, tonight’s equally impressive performance was a tight affair with just the one goal, scored by the impressive Lewis Burns separating the teams. Although the Stan made several changes to Saturdays starting eleven it was still a strong side that took to the pitch at the Woodhorn Lane.

Ashington kicked off and immediately attacked the Stan goal and dominated the opening 10 minutes. It wasn’t until the 17th minute when the Stan found their way into the Ashington box when confusion by the home team nearly resulted in an own goal.

As the half progressed the balance of play evened out with few chances created by both teams. It was clear by now it wasn’t going to be the goal fest like the Whitley Bay game. In an attempt to unlock the home defence, Lewis Burns switched flanks and immediately found some joy on the left and was causing Ashington some problems.

Joe Kerridge had a long range shot which was high and wide on 25 minutes. Mid way through the first half Dan Robinson replaced the injured Andy Robertson and was into the action straight away setting up Fox, but Conor Grant in the Ashington goal saved with his feet.

Although Ashington had plenty of possession it took till 36 minutes for Stan gloveman Regan to make a save, which he smartly tipped over a Ashington header. Debutant Thibault Charmey burst through the Ashington defence, just before half time but a great tackle halted his progress. The referee blew dead on 45 mins with the score goalless.

The Stan kicked off the second half and a injury to the face of Bennett caused some concern, so much he had to be replaced by Dan Sayer. The Stan quickly attacked on 56 minutes and Robinson made the Ashington keeper work again. Robinson was through again on 62 minutes and a lovely through ball to Burns who calmly rounded Grant in the Ashington goal and put the Stan 1-0 up.

This immediately spurred Ashington on, but the Stan were solid in defence, with Josh Miller particularly impressive. Dan Regan once again made a fine save on 76 minutes as Ashington grew more and more frustrated. Thibault Charmey showed his class by slicing through the Ashington defence but failed to capitalise on a good position. Debutant Cole Davison was replaced by Hoggins on 85 minutes.

Ashington we’re running out of ideas by the time we went into, of what proved to be 7 minutes of injury time. Lewis Burns had the chance to claim a second but his shot was wide.

A loud cheer greeted the final whistle by the 20 odd Stan Army and our unbeaten run continues. A very close game, but a moment of class by Burns sees us into the next round of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup.

Stan Team: Regan, Sakellaropoulos, Hall, Miller (c), Bennett (Sayer), Davison (Hoggins), Burns, Charmey, Robertson (Robinson ), Fox, Kerridge

Unused Subs: Campbell, Holland

Goals: Burns 62.

Attendance: 128

Kev Carling