Despite the disruption and damage caused in Newcastle by storm Malik, the Stan travelled west to Carlisle along with a coach load of supporters. Just like their performance at Barnoldswick in the Vase, the Stan left it late to seal an important victory. There were 4 changes from last Saturday’s home match with Stoddart, Bailey, Holmes and Walton replaced by McAndrew, Groves, Luke and Burn.

At the welcoming & good standard Gillford Park the conditions were blustery and increasingly cold but far less windy than in Newcastle. Both teams tried to attack but without much success & the first half was mainly one to forget.

The Stan had a corner after 3 minutes followed by 2 for Carlisle which saw Groves & Esdaille clear before Carlisle shot over. The advancing Hornsby was taken out & Irving was booked as a result. Stephenson sent the free kick into the box but McBryde headed over. Carlisle had to clear twice after 12 minutes before heading over the Stan bar 3 minutes later. Regan had to catch in 18 minutes & after a Groves ball went straight to the keeper, Regan easily caught again even though the sun was in his eyes although soon the sky turned dark for the rest of the match.

The Stan had 2 corners cleared & in 28 minutes the ball went across the home goal but wasn’t picked up by any Stan players. 2 minutes later & Esdaille headed over from a corner & soon after Luke shot over at the other end. After a quiet period, Stephenson forced a stretching save from Carlisle keeper Murray & the resulting corner was headed clear.

It was all mainly Stan now & the half finished with a Stephenson shot blocked & Hopper heading just wide. The most excitement of the 1st half for the fans though was caused by some chickens running into the ground but there was going to be more free range by both teams in the 2nd half.

Both teams started the 2nd half positively but with Carlisle having most of the early attacks with Hall clearing from 2 corners before the home side shot wide from a 3rd. The Stan did get their 1st clear chance of the match to take the lead in 52 minutes when Hopper was pushed in the box. McAndrew took the resulting penalty 2 minutes later but hit the bar. This seemed to encourage the Stan though & in 57 minutes McBryde shot just wide from distance.

Carlisle though could also see that 1 goal might win the match for either team & McAndrew had to head off the line in 60 minutes. The Stan then had 5 minutes of sustained pressure on the home goal although the defence soaked it all up. The Stan defence then had to work hard on a couple of occasions before a Stephenson long shot in 68 minutes went over. McBryde then shot just wide before Hall then Regan had to clear at the other end.

Much of the remainder of the match saw the Stan having the majority of the attacks but with no end product & with many decisions going against them. As a result, Holmes & Howard were brought on to assist the efforts. In 86 minutes, against the run of play, Regan made a great stretching save before the rebound shot went over.

In the 89th minute Groves cleared from a home free kick before an Esdaille block led to a Stan counter attack. From the resulting Stan throw in the 91st minute which was in line with the edge of the box, the ball arrived in the box & McBryde, who had worked hard all afternoon, slotted it away to give the Stan the lead. There was a nervous further 3 minutes of added time as although the Stan kept trying to attack but then there was some home pressure & Regan ended the match punching the ball clear.

The final whistle saw the Stan players, management & fans all celebrating & it continued in the form of singing on the journey back across the A69. The Stan are now 9 point clear of 2nd place Ryton & 13 points clear of 4th place Easington who have 3 games in hand. If the fans can recover from today’s match’s impact on their blood pressure, the league campaign continues at home next Saturday against Tow Law.

Heaton Stannington: Regan, McAndrew (Stoddart 87), Hornsby (Holmes 75), Groves, Hall, Esdaille, Luke, Stephenson, McBryde, Hopper (Howard 87), Burn.

Unused Subs: Carr, Dobson.

Goals: McBryde 90 +1.

Supporters Man Of The Match: Rhys Groves.

Referee: D. Carr.

Assistants: A. Whitfield, B Whitfield.

Attendance: 158.

Kevin Mochrie