This was the league newcomer’s home debut and they will play this season at Kimberley Park in Prudhoe until their new ground in Etherstone Avenue in High Heaton is ready. Many of the fans looked miserable before kick-off due to the long queue on the road into Prudhoe caused by faulty temporary traffic lights although they were not as miserable as the grumpy gateman although the Stan Army were so at the end of the match after they saw their team throw away a 2-0 lead. There were 4 changes from Saturday with competitive debuts for Blackbourne and Thirlaway and for Josh Allan from the bench. There was also a debut (again) for a new striker signed the night before- Jon Jon ‘Boomerang’ Wright.

The Uni started on the attack but Wright soon had the opportunity to silence any doubters relating to his signing as in 3 minutes he supplied Paterson who ran through the crowded box and slotted the ball past ex-Stan keeper Backhouse. 2 minutes later and Wright went one better and blasted the ball into the net from from 25 yards out for 2-0 to the Stan. In 9 minutes Simpson passed to Hoggins who shot straight at Backhouse. The Uni countered but shot well over although they increasingly looked dangerous on the break as the match went on especially through their No9 Niza Chilupya. They shot wide after 12 minutes with Wright being caught just offside after 15. Both teams tried to attack but the Uni were looking increasingly dangerous and a shot by Chilupya in 25 minutes forced a stretching save from Ball. Thirlaway then made a good run but the resulting corner came to nothing. A Stan free kick, after a bad tackle on Charmey, was blocked. It was becoming a bit like footy tennis and the Stan were missing a proper midfield.

In 32 minutes Hoggins made a great turn and was about to run unmarked on goal but was grabbed with the culprit only being booked. The resulting free kick led to Hoggins heading wide. In 35 minutes the Stan had a great joined up attack but Paterson slipped. The Uni then had 3 attacks before Wright advanced but was offside again. The Uni kept trying to attack and it paid off in the 46th minute when an attack was blocked but the ball came curling back in from the edge of the box and was headed down and in by unmarked Lee Scott. The half ended with a great cross by Wright which was missed by Paterson on the goal line.

The Uni started the 2nd half with confidence after their late 1st half goal and had the 1st effort in 48 minutes although the Stan shot wide 2 minutes later before a Uni attack was blocked well. In 52 minutes s Stan free kick was headed wide immediately followed by a Uni corner. This resulted in Scott hitting the post from within the 6 yard box before Robertson shot from close range to make it 2-2 after 54 minutes. 2 minutes later a Stan corner was head over and a 2nd was easily cleared.

The Uni though were taking more control and the Stan looked despondent. The Uni kept the pressure on with a double attack being cleared in 59 minutes. In 61 minutes the Stan attacked twice before Uni countered with Ball just getting to the ball to block it in time. The Stan then countered with a long ball to Wright who was eventually blocked. The Uni countered again and kept going when blocked which were growing themes of their play. They kept attacking with the Stan now not getting much of the ball and their passing was looking poor. The Stan were on the back foot but had a couple of counter attacks. The 2nd in 70 minutes saw Wright brought down. He took the free kick too quick but got a corner. The Stan made 2 substitutions in the middle of which Ball had to punch away a free kick. The Uni had a free shot in 78 minutes which brought a great save from Ball. They attacked again before Wright shot wide.

In 80 minutes a Uni free kick deflected onto the Stan post before Thirlaway countered and forced a save from Backhouse. The Stan were getting forward but in 84 minutes the Uni took the lead from a free kick into the box which was slotted home by Scott. The Stan ended the match with a conserted period of attack but couldnt get an equaliser. In 94 minutes it looked like Charmey had headed in an equaliser but his effort was cleared off the line. The Stan kept attacking into the 96th minute but the Uni held on for their 1st ever Northern League win.

So as with last season, the Stan start the season with 2 defeats as well as having Jon Jon up front. Congratulations have to go to the Uni though and especially to Stan legend Shanny Backhouse who marshalled his team all night.

Stan Team: Ball, Simpson (Allan 76), Hall, Ray, Blackbourne, Bailey, Thirlaway, Charmey, Wright, Hoggins (Anderson 71), Patterson.

Unused subs: Middleton, Imray, Stoddart.

Goals: Paterson 3, Wright 5.

Attendance 154

Kevin Mochrie