After a week that had seen us beat 1st Division oppostion in a friendly and then show a much improved performance in the FA Vase, albeit in defeat against 1st Division opposition, the Stan headed down the A19 for our first ever visit to Redcar Athletic with high hopes for a victory that would kick start our season. The starting line up included one change from Saturday's defeat at Dunston with Dean Deagle replacing Shane Jones, with the Stan keeping a 4-5 1 formation with Kerridge expected to get forward to support Wright. 

The hosts, who were promoted from the Wearside League in May, had made a slow start to their first ever season in the Northern League with just the one win ( v Durham City) registered so far. However they were unbeaten in their last three games and they included Wood and Preston in their squad who have both played 1st Division football with Marske, and Ex-Whitby Town forward Sam Calvert.

 The Refeere, Mr John Brown, got the game underway with the Stan attacking the club house end on what is arguably the best playing surface in the second division.

The Stan were quickly into their stride and Kerridge shot over the bar before Wright had another shot turned over the top by Lawrence, from the resulting corner the ball fell nicely for Hall but he sliced his effort. On 7 minutes Josh Holland was next to have a go but after taking a long ball in his stride and breaking into the box he shot into the side netting. 

Redcar's first attack of any note came on 16 minutes when a patient build up released Redman into the box but Regan blocked his shot at the expense of a corner, which was cleared.

The Stan were straight back on the offensive and Imray had a 20 yard drive deflected inches wide by Wood's desperate lunge, the corner came to nothing but the Stan really should have gone ahead on 21 minutes when a good move down the left involving Sayer, Kerridge and Deagle resulted in a fine ball into the box which Imray met 6 yards out and headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy. 

The hosts started to come into the game more but for all their possession they were yet to really ask any questions of the Stan back four. They did win a free kick in a dangerous position after Middleton was cautioned for pulling back Rivis but this came to nothing and the Stan finished the half with Wright having a shot saved at the near post and Deagle shooting wide after a good cross by Holland.

HT: Redcar Athletic 0 - 0 Stan

The general feeling at the break was that the Stan had been the better team and on another day would be going in ahead, but it was also agreed that the first goal would be crucial to the outcome of the game.

Redcar got the second half underway with Webster replacing Kirk and they were immediately on the front foot, Regan made a diving save before Webster had a shot deflected wide. Redman was next to have a go but Regan was again equal to his shot. 

There was respite for the Stan at the other end with a free kick in a dangerous position and Wright's effort just cleared the net, not the goal net but the net behind the goal to stop the ball heading heading for the sea front! 

The deadlock was finally broken on 56 minutes when the Stan failed to clear a harmless ball into the box, Middleton's clearance was blocked and then WEBSTER slid to block the second clearance and was fortunate to see his rebound flash past Regan and into the net. The goal may have been unorthodox but it was fitting reward for Redcar's start to the second half. 

The hosts continued to dominate with Wood becoming more and more influential and it took some dogged defending from Sayer and Hall to deny Calvert and Webster from getting in again. The Stan finally responded and a good cross found Middleton at the back post but Kerridge volleyed his nod down wide, before Wright got away down the left and shot across the face of goal. 

There was a let off for the Stan on 67 as Calvert thumped a great header over Regan only to be denied by the crossbar, Decka responded with a double subsitution with Nakhli and Hoggins replacing Middleton and Fulcher with the Stan reverting to 4-4-2 with Holland dropping in at Right Back. The change almost paid immediate dividends as Nakhli looked to have released Wright but he was flagged for a marginal offside.

 Redcar were next to show as the game opened up and fine work from Jones down the right  put Holland under pressure at the back post but Regan was able to block Webster's effort on the line with his feet.

The Stan made their final change on 85 minutes with Salim replacing Deagle and a minute later Josh Miller got on the end of a Holland cross but looped his header onto the roof of the net. The Stan kept going and Salim had a shot over the top before Wright was booked for dissent.  

The hosts looked increasingly nervous as we entered stoppage time with their bench hiding the spare balls which their players complained the ball boys were returning too quickly, and they were almost punished on 96 mins when a fine free kick from Wright was superbly tipped over the top by Lawrence to deny the Stan an equaliser. The resulting corner was cleared for what looked like another corner to the Stan but Mr Brown awarded a goal kick and with that our last chance had gone. 

There was still time for Brown to show yellow cards to both Kerridge and Regan for arguing that it should have been a corner, indeed he should have booked everyone inside the ground as everyone seemed to disagree with him, but it changes nothing and the Stan had fallen to another defeat.

FT: Redcar Athletic 1 - 0 Stan

The game was far from a classic but had improved as it wore on, the hosts deserving to take the points with a much improved second half display. For the Stan it was a game that we probably would have won had we been on a decent run, but we aren't and we didn't. 

The season is yet to get up and running for us but performances against Dunston, North Shields and Seaham Red Star (twice) have shown what we are capable of, and memories of a run of form last season taking us from second bottom in August to top in October will keep us happy as we wait for the side to click.

Heaton Stannington (4-5-1) : Regan, Middleton (Nakhli 71), Hall, Miller, Sayer, Fulcher (Hoggins 71), Imray, Deagle (Salim 85), Holland, Kerridge, Wright.

Sub Not Used: Bailey.

Yellow Cards: Regan, Middleton, Wright, Kerridge.

Referee: John Brown.

Attendance: 126.

Simon Lansley