The Stan were once again beaten on a penalty shoot out for the third time this season, this time in the quarter final Ernest Memorial Cup.

Willington were the victors this time, and after 90 mins which failed to produce a goal at a cold Hall Lane. What made it more disappointing was Willington played 65mins with 10 men after Bradley Burns straight red for a cynical foul on Lewis Burns.

Due to a mini goalkeeper crisis 18 year old Thomas Mitchell son of assistant manger Richie had to be drafted in for his Heaton Stannington debut.

The Stan kicked off kicking downhill, with a good number of Stan fans present, straight away creating two good chances for Burns but he failed to find the target with both of them. Debutant Mitchell was called into action when he smothered a good Willington attack at the expense of a corner. After 25mins, Burns was once again put through but was cynically brought down by Burns and the ref had the easy decision to give him a straight red, with no complaints from the home bench. The Stan should have took command at that point but they continually failed to capitalise, despite having the extra man. 

Campbell had a good chance blocked on 29mins. But it was Willington who came closest in breaking the deadlock when on 39mins Parnaby’s header beat Mitchell and was going in but Sayer for the Stan cleared off the line in spectacular fashion which proved to be the last highlight of the half.

Willington got us underway for the second half playing some nice football and it was hard to notice which team had the man short. But the Stan and the extra man gradually had an effect. Campbell was lively in the box on 50 but his shot was straight at Willington gloveman Graham. 

Robertson replaced Fulcher in a pro active move which almost immediately paid off when he found Burns on the right whose cross almost found Kerridge at the far post. The Stan were dominating the game now with Willington happy on the counter. Hoggins came on to replace Campbell on 74mins. 

The Stan were becoming increasingly frustrated but Hoggins missed a golden opportunity with 10mins to go. Charmey delivered a lovely corner and with free header Hoggins headed it down into the ground and over the bar in front of the Stan Army. With four minutes left Kerridge cut in from the left and curled a shot that was creeping in but Willington keeper just got a finger to it. Into injury time and Willington almost snatched it but the header went wide. After 5mins injury time the ref blew for penalties, with a sense of dread from the Stan Army.

 The pens were taken downhill and hopes were high when Mitchell saved the first two Willington pens (after Charmey had missed his) hopes were raised even higher when Sayer scored. But Kerridge missed to make it 2-2 after 4 pens each. Josh Holland scored but Willingtons goal made it 3-3 and into sudden death. Two further pens converted for each side made 5-5. Robertson came up to take the Stan’s 8th but the Willington keeper who incidentally scored one of the pens himself, made a fine save. Willington made no mistake with their 8th pen to send the Stan out this way for a third time this season.

The Stan once again, like Saturday were made to pay for not taking our chances this ending our chance of any silverware in the cups this season. On the plus side debutant Thomas Mitchell (and Fatha) can be immensely proud of his performance.

Link to match report by The Northern League here 10 Man Willington Through After Shoot-Out

Heaton Stannington: Mitchell, Holland, Sayer, Bennett, Hall, Fulcher (Robertson 64), Burns (Martin 80), Mason, Campbell (Hoggins 75), Charmey, Kerridge.

Subs Not Used: Lowes.

Yellow Card: Fulcher.

Referee: A. Nichol.

Assistants: Elliot Cowens, J. Strachan.

Attendance: 155

Kev Carling