All talk of the demise of the league leaders were proved to be unfounded as the best 2 sides in NL2 met at Grounsell Park in a game that pulsated from start to finish with the hosts coming out on on top in a five goal thriller in front of Heaton Stannington’s best ever league crowd of 532.
As early as 18 seconds Stan went close to opening the scoring with Dean Holmes just failing to capitalise with keeper Aaron Steavens collecting the ball.
Stan had started well and got the opening goal on 2 minutes when David Luke played a delightful ball through to James Proctor who drove the ball low into the corner of the net. 1-0
One minute later and the euphoria of the home fans died down as Laquan Esdaille put out the ball for a thrown in and fell to the ground holding his thigh. Michael Hall replaced him.
Two chances within 3 minutes for Easington danger man Liam Adamson, first when he ran to the edge of the area but fired over the bar, then he shot straight into the hands of home custodian Dan Regan.
On 20 minutes Stan leading marksman Liam McBryde had 2 shots blocked by a resolute away defence.
Three minutes later and a foul on Proctor by Reece Thompson.
Easington got an equaliser on 30 minutes when Adam McGuinness free kick was met with a strong header by Jack Pounder with Regan making a good save only to see the ball put past him from close range by Adamson for his 25th league goal of the season. 1-1
On 42 minutes Kevin Carr played the ball out left for Proctor and he raced into the area but sliced his shot wide. Proctor in next attack was again injured in a tussle with Thompson.
Stan had a great shout for deliberate handball in the area by James Cassidy turned down, with the home crowd disbelieving the decision of referee Peter Osgood. Then a 25 yard volley from Proctor went inches wide of the post.
HT: Heaton Stann 1 Easington 1
The game stepped up another gear with Easington going ahead on 56 minutes from another set play, with the unmarked Ethan Ord heading in a corner from the right at the second attempt, Regan having produced another good save to deny his first effort. 1-2.
Stan responded well to that setback with Luke heading over the bar from Stephenson’s well flighted free kick. Easington were managing to keep out the league leaders.
Harvey Walsh replaced Proctor on 69 minutes and he was to make an impact later on.
On 83 minutes a goal of class from Stan. McBryde sent a good pass to let Hopper run down the left flank beat the defender and then his cross was dummied by Holmes for McBryde to strike home for his 31st league goal of the season. 2-2
Five minutes later and a Hopper goal bound shot into top of net was superbly turned over the bar by Steavens. Was a draw all that Stan were going to get, when they needed to win?
In the 2nd minute of added on time, drama and controversy as Walsh was fouled by Thompson, inside the area, with a penalty given. Hopper under immense pressure calmly put the spot kick away, to the sheer delight of home fans. 3-2
Complaints and protest followed from the away dug out, with Lee Haldane and his assistant Paul Wardle shown red cards. It didn’t stop there, with Kyle Middleton also red carded.
All the Stan players performed ever so well, but need to carry this form into Saturdays away match at Newcastle University.
Heaton Stannington: Regan, McAndrew, Stephenson, Luke, Watson, Esdaille (Hall 4), Proctor (Walsh 70), Carr, McBryde (Hornsby 59), Holmes (Kerr 90), Hopper
Unused Subs: Bailey, Burn.
Goals: Proctor 2, McBryde 83, Hopper 90+2 (Pen)
Supporters Man Of The Match: Kev Carr.
Referee: Peter Osgood.
Assistants: P. Laws, I. Woodward.
Attendance: 532.
Brian Pratt