The media this weekend might have been focused on the middle east and St James’ Park but the real football action and excitement in Newcastle was connected to another east, Grounsell Park in the eastern suburb of High Heaton. The only tea towels belonged to our catering heroes Pat, Eric and Ayrton but there were goals galore as the Stan extended their winning streak to 8 matches as part of an unbeaten run of 16 games. There were 4 changes with Hornsby, Burn, Sharpe and Holmes replacing Bailey, Burns, Campbell and Hopper
In front of another bumper crowd, who benefited from a new 2nd bar at the ground, the Stan started on the attack and were 2-0 up after 8 minutes. In 6 minutes, Sharpe broke into the busy Brandon box and shot confidently with the ball going into the right hand corner of the net even though the keeper looked like he was going to get to it. Almost immediately, Sharpe crossed from the left into the box & McBryde headed into the net when again it looked liked the keeper could have prevented it.
It continued to be all Stan & the Brandon defence had to work hard to prevent a 3rd Stan goal. Brandon had a corner from their 1st clear attack after 21 minutes but Regan easily caught. 3 minutes later, the Stan had a joined up attack which ended with Carr shooting just over. Brandon had their 1st shot in 27 minutes which forced a good save from Regan. A minute later & the ball went across the Stan goal, came back in & was cleared by Esdaille.
It was then back to normal service as the Stan made it 3-0 in 29 minutes when Hornsby crossed into the box, McBryde’s shot was blocked but Vase winner Holmes netted with a rebound shot from 6 yards. There was good team work from the Stan & an example of this came in 35 minutes when an 8 man move ended with Carr shooting wide. 3 minutes later & Sharpe got into the box & sent the ball across goal but McBryde failed to connect. In 39 minutes, another Stan joined up attack saw Holmes take the ball on the edge of the box & blast it through the defence for 4-0.
The Stan kept up the pressure until half time & started the 2nd half doing the same with Hornsby shooting just wide. In the 47th minute, Carr passed to Holmes on the right who crossed to McBryde in the Brandon box and, even though the keeper was at his feet, he managed to force the ball into the net. The Stan kept attacking although Brandon did get a corner in the 50th minute & 4 minutes later got a conciliation goal when Regan was beaten by a good finish. It was 6-1 in 63 minutes when Proctor supplied Holmes who finished the joined up move for his hat trick. 3 minutes later, Burn hit the bar but the ball stayed in play allowing Carr to score a magnificent goal from the edge of the box. There was more Stan pressure but Brandon came close in 72 minutes when Regan tipped the ball over the bar. In 77 minutes it was 8-1 when Holmes crossed into the box for super sub Campbell to head the ball into the net. 3 minutes later & Campbell shot over. After another Stan attack a solo Brandon player countered but Regan & Dobson together stopped him. In 84 minutes, Brandon countered again & Regan just got to the ball 1st. Brandon were getting more of the ball now & in the 89th minute they shot just wide. The Stan were not finished though & in the final minute a ball to McBryde in the box saw him beat the keeper from a tight angle and copy Holmes by getting a hat trick. The Stan looked for a 10th goal but it remained 9-1 at the whistle.
I don’t know about Arabic, but In German the word nine means ‘no’ but for the Stan Army at full time yesterday it meant ‘Yes’ as their team had scored 9 goals for the first time in the Northern League. Another record, in terms of attendance, is expected next week when the Stan host Eccleshill United from Yorkshire in the 1st round proper of the FA Vase. The win yesterday was the only home one in the division & the Stan remain unbeaten at home this season. Building on this, here is hoping for another great team performance and plenty more goals from the Stan next Saturday.
Heaton Stannington: Regan; McAndrew; Hornsby; Burn; Dobson; Esdaille (C) (Bailey 67); Sharpe (Proctor 60); Carr (Campbell 74); McBryde; Stephenson; Holmes.
Unused Subs: Burns; Imray.
Goals: Sharpe 6, McBryde 8, 47, 90, Holmes 29, 39, 63, Carr 66, Campbell 77.
Yellow Cards: Sharpe.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Holmes.
Referee: Peter Osgood.
Attendance: 359.
Kevin Mochrie