On a night of constant rain, Heaton Stannington did well to attract 149 fans to Grounsell Park, but they would have been disappointed to find that Michael Hall and Dan Stephenson were missing due to injury and illness, As well as that, having started well and going ahead, Stan went down to a better side on the night.
Stan set off well and opened the scoring on 7 minutes when Liam McBryde couldn’t get in a shot, so gave the ball to Dean Holmes who slotted the ball inside the upright with keeper Edward Claxton helpless. 1-0
Laquan Esdaille found Holmes with a good pass, he played the ball out left to Leighton Hopper whose strong shot was deflected over the bar for a corner.
Dismay again for the Stan supporters on 12 minutes when the visitors equalised, when Ali Stoddart shot was headed away left and Josh Hammett went down the left flank, Esdaille hesitated to tackle and Hammett drove forward and from around 30 yards fired over a stranded Dan Regan. 1-1
A let off for Stan on 23 minutes when a Jos Veitch strike hammered against the cross bar.
On 27 minutes Proctor is fouled on the edge of the box by Claxton, free kick, and the only booking of the game, for Claxton. Rhys Groves drove the ball into the wall and Uni escape. Proctor then fired wide.
Newcastle University took the lead 12 minutes before half time with a neat pass from Josh Walton who found Coates timely run into the area, which caught out a flat footed home defence with Regan unable to stop his finish. 1-2
41 mins James Coates has a shot from the edge of the box but it is deflected wide for a corner.
Claxton makes a vital point blank save when it looked certain for Stan to score to restore parity.
HT 1-2
Stan restarted well on the front foot. Holmes shot headed away, a good link play between Hopper, Hornsby, Bailey to set up Andy Burn, all hoping for another of his specials, but not this time.
Evan Howard replaced McBryde on 56 minutes.
The visitors on 58 minutes got a two goal lead following good work by Coates and Veitch, who finds Hammett in space with his shot parried by Regan but Angus Mitchinson slots into an empty net. 1-3. Uphill now for Stan.
A good ball through for Proctor to chase but Claxton was alert, coming out to deny Proctor as he booted the ball well into touch.
65 minutes and Jason Chanayire replaced Hopper, and he made a good impression with his pace and ability.
Esdaille came to the rescue as he headed a uni effort of his line.
On 72 minutes Chanayire curled a low shot which Claxton flung himself across and tipped around his post for a corner.
David Luke replaced Burn on 74 minutes.
A match between these two sides is played in a good spirit, only 1 booking, and nothing but good football to enjoy. Stan go to Prudhoe to play the University on 16 April. Should be the last game of a successful season.
FT 1-3
Onto 7th placed Easington away on Saturday.
Good performances from Hornsby, Bailey and a cameo from substitute Chanayire, with home supporters voting James Proctor as MOM.
Heaton Stannington: Regan, Stoddart, Hornsby, Bailey (C), Groves, Esdaille, Proctor, Burn (Luke 74), McBryde (Howard 56), Holmes, Hopper (Chanayire 65).
Unused Subs: Carr, Dobson.
Goals: Holmes 7.
Supporters Man Of The Match: James Proctor.
Referee: Matthew Morton.
Assistants: L. Batie, J. Chirnside.
Attendance: 149
Brian Pratt