The Stan kicked of the 19-20 season unbeaten in 5 friendlies in front of a great crowd of 218. The fans were able to enjoy not just the sunshine or the posh plastic outside drinking pint glasses but also the new terracing which was officially opened by Bedlington’s loyal fan Joanne Greenacre. The team consisted of 3 new signings and 2 resignings with another 2 new signings on the bench. The Terriers included ex Stan Kevin Westphal and on the bench Oli Martin.

The Stan had the 1st attack after 4 minutes when Holland shot wide although it was a quiet 1st 10 minutes. In 12 minutes the Stan attacked again then Ball had to clear. In 16 minutes there was a great turn and shot by Robertson but the visiting keeper Corkhill made a good block. Anderson soon after got up to head but was shoved and the ball came back in and hit a defender’s hand but nothing was given. The Stan attacked again followed by Bedlington’s 1st corner in 18 minutes which saw Ball punch the ball away then get down to clear. 3 minutes later and they attacked gain and 2 minutes after, from a Charmey free kick, Ray headed to Bailey at the other end whose header looked like it was in but was well saved.

In 25 minutes the visitors had a speculative long shot which would have beaten Ball if it had not gone wide. Robertson now had a couple of attacks and Anderson was working well, as with Paterson throughout the game. It was now end to end with the Terriers battling well although their big No 5 was struggling in the heat. In 36 minutes the Terriers had a good shot and then Bailey shot just wide at the other end from within the 6 yard box. In 42 minutes a Stan effort was blocked before the Terriers sent a shot wide. In 44 minutes, after a poor goal kick by Ball, Fenton was eventually stopped but it took the whole Stan defence. At half time the Stan just had the edge but because of their limited performance the match could still go either way.

The Stan started the 2nd half on the attack. In 49 minutes Robertson was shoved in the box and it initially looked like the referee was going to give a penalty but he eventually gave off-side. In 50 minutes, a great shot by Paterson was headed away just in front of the goal line by a defender for a corner. The Stan were more lively but it was to count for nothing as on 53 minutes Bedlington won a free kick after Ball handled just outside his box. Fenton sent the ball round the wall and into the net for 0-1.

In 57 minutes Bedlington attacked again but the ball was blocked by Ball for a corner. The Stan attacked but the Terriers countered and it took a block by Ball to stop them. In 59 minutes a Stan attack was blocked by Corkhill for a corner. In 61 minutes a Bedlington free kick went wide and 3 minutes later they had to clear a Stan attack. In 65 minutes, Paterson worked hard to get the ball into the box and after being blocked 3 times he forced a corner. The Stan were getting chances but they were missing North Shields bound Connor Campbell as the finishing was poor.

In 66 minutes Hoggins replaced Paterson to provide fresh firepower. In 69 minutes a Charmey free kick was cleared. He then took a 2nd in 70 minutes and it was headed in the crowded box and into the net by Anderson for 1-1. It meant nothing though when in 75 minutes a bad tackle by Simpson just outside the Stan box resulted in a Bedlington free kick by Fenton. He scored an identical goal to the 1st scored to restore the Terrier’s lead. In 78 minutes Bedlington attacked but then the Stan countered. In 81 minutes a great ball in by Simpson was cut across the goal by Hoggins and out for a corner. In 86 minutes, a long throw by Holland to Bailey saw him bundled and his shot was deflected wide.

Time was running out for the Stan as Hall put an effort wide. It was too little too late as the match ended with an Anderson header being caught by the Terrier’s keeper. The Stan could have easily won this match but didn’t really play as a team and the Terrier’s didn’t really threaten the Stan defence apart from through the 2 free kicks that they scored from. One consolidation was that on the day of its introduction, the sin bin wasn’t used.

Stan Team: Ball, Stoddart, Simpson, Ray, Hall, Bailey, Holland, Charmey, Robertson (Hoggins 65), Anderson, Patterson.

Unused Subs: Middleton, Imray, Allan, Blackbourne.

Goal: Anderson 70.

Attendance 218

Kevin Mochrie