After the disappointment of Saturday's home defeat to Jarrow the Stan made two changes to the starting line up with Simpson replacing Stoddart and Anderson returning for Sayer, there was also a place on the bench for new signing Jackson Ward. 

The hosts who had won their first three games without conceding before losing the fourth to Ryton 3 - 2 on Saturday named a strong line up which included ex Shildon defender Jamie Harwood and ex York forward Chris Dickinson who had scored 4 times already this season.

Millfield, as always, looked magnificent and the pitch looked in excellent nick too as the hosts got the game underway, we had to wait until the 14th minute for  the first action of note as a Paterson cross was deflected wide for the game's first corner and from it Wright had a drive deflected into the side netting. Crook responded with Gavin and Petitjean shooting wide before Bailey fed Anderson in the box but he also shot wide. Anderson was then clattered from behind by Wilson but the obvious yellow card wasn't shown, it was three minutes later when Smith was harshly cautioned for Crook for not retreating 10 yards for a Free Kick. Crook then put a decent move together but Ball was out quickly to collect with the Crook bench furious with the forward for staying on his feet, Bailey was booked for a foul in the build up. 

Anderson headed wide from a corner and Wright flashed a shot across the face of goal whilst at the other end Gavin and Johnston both shot wide but it looked as though the half would remain goalless until a corner wasn't fully cleared by Crook and Anderson released Wright who beat Makepeace at his near post to open the scoring on 41 minutes. Charmey was then booked for a foul as the Ref blew for the interval.

HT: Crook Town 0 - 1 Stan

The Stan were first to show in the second period with a Kerridge cross just too deep for Paterson but Crook replied and Johnston was allowed to travel a long way but his shot trickled wide. Gavin then had a free kick flicked on and it missed everyone at the far post and and flashed wide but a minute later the Stan had their second goal. Anderson played a nice through ball and the Crook defence stopped waiting for a flag for Charmey who was coming back from an offside position but Wright was onto it in a flash and curled a wonderful finish over Makepeace with the outside of his left foot from 30 yards to double the Stan's advantage.

The Stan were buzzing now and Paterson couldn't get a touch on Wright's driven cross before they were denied an obvious penalty when a Crook defender handled in the box. At the other end Hume was booked for diving before a free header from a corner was mistimed and straight at Ball. On 74 minutes the Crook skipper Harwood was shown a straight red for an awful two footed challenge on Anderson but Wright drove the free kick over the top.

Young Jackson Ward replaced the impressive Anderson on 81 minutes and within 2 minutes he robbed a defender on halfway and released Wright who calmly drew the keeper before lobbing him to complete his hat trick.

Hall was the third Stan player booked for a foul before the move of the game saw Ward take out two defenders with with a lovely touch and then get on the end of Paterson's cross only to head wide when a debut goal looked certain. Stoddart replaced Kerridge and helped run down the clock by finding a neighbouring garden with a shot from 12 yards but the Stan weren't to be denied a fourth and it came in the 94th minute when Wright turned provider and Paterson forced home his cross from close range.

FT: Crook Town 0 - 4 Stan

A dominant display by a much improved Stan who had been solid at the back all evening, indeed Ball didn't have a serious shot to save. The middle four were compact when defending and creative when attacking but it was upfront where the plaudits were really handed out. A blistering hat trick from Jon Jon tell's only half the tale as Liam Anderson's tireless running and hold up play caused Crook problems all night, and the late cameo from Jackson Ward had the 20 or so Stan fans at Millfield purring.

I'll leave the last word to Crook's indefatigable Chairman, Vince Kirkup, who simply said "the best team won".  No one can argue with that, let's hope the same team performs like that for the rest of the season. 

Heaton Stannington: Ball, Simpson, Hall, Middleton, Ray, Bailey, Charmey (C), Paterson, Kerridge (Stoddart 89), Wright, Anderson (Ward 81). 

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Blackbourne, Imray

Goals: Wright 41, 55, 83, Paterson 90 (+4).

Referee: G. Sloanes.

Assistants: C. Kitson, G. Leadbitter.

Attendance: 164.

Simon Lansley