Two early goals followed by a strong team performance saw the Stan make it 9 league away wins in a row and they climbed up to 5th in the league. There were 3 changes from last Saturday’s home win over Guisborough with Slaughter, Anderson and Stephenson replacing Burn, Lashley and Walker.
It was a record-breaking start as a great cross from Hopper was blocked by a defender, but Stephenson was able to knock the ball into the net to give the Stan the lead after 15 seconds. It was 2-0 in the 9th minute after Hopper had advanced down the right & crossed to Stephenson in the box who was tripped. Hopper scored from the resulting penalty sending home keeper Cameron the wrong way.
West Auckland's 1st clear effort, which was a Jackson long-range effort in 11 minutes, beat everyone to make it 1-2. Hopper then ran again & although the ball was intercepted by Lamb, Cameron easily collected from his shot. Purvis then got down to save as the home side started to put pressure on the Stan defence for the next 4 minutes.
In 17 minutes, West headed wide from a corner followed by Evans having to clear. After a quieter period, the home side shot wide in a crowded Stan box. Both teams were trying to advance but were often losing the ball. A Stan corner was headed clear in 31 minutes followed by a 2 footed tackle by a home player Brown that only resulted in a yellow card.
There was a let off for the Stan in 37 minutes when West won the ball & advanced down the right & sent the ball across the front of goal. The ball went back into the Stan box & Shepherd headed off the line. In 40 minutes, the Stan recovered their 2-goal lead when Cassidy scored direct from a great free kick into the top left corner of the net from just outside the box. Soon after it was nearly 4 when Lamb advanced up the left wing & crossed the ball into the box but Hopper shot wide.
There was then another great move by Lamb but with no resulting shot before West shot well over from near the bye line. Into injury time & a West effort was headed clear followed by both a great tackle & clearance header by Hornsby.
West started the 2nd half on the attack but the 1st clear effort was when Lamb advanced then shot but Cameron blocked his effort. Anderson then won the ball but his low shot saw Cameron get down to save.
Both teams were trying to attack & Slaughter had to head clear in 55 minutes. Lamb was looking dangerous & Anderson was working hard but the defence were also having to be on their toes. In 62 minutes, West shot wide from a corner. 3 minutes later they scored when they advanced down the left & crossed into the box for Jackson to get his 2nd goal from close range.
West Auckland shot just wide in 74 minutes after the Stan defence failed to clear. West then shot wide from a corner. From a Burn clearance the Stan countered & Anderson was brought down. Soon after, sub Lashley got the ball & ran into the West box & was clearly brought down but nothing was given.
West attacked in 83 minutes & Shepherd cleared to stop an almost certain equaliser. Both teams continued to press in between numerous substitutions. Purvis had to catch but the over long period of added time mainly saw Stan pressure as well as West’s Brown being sent off for a tackle on Proctor.
The Stan had a deserved if hard fought win & there was no luck involved despite it being Friday 13th. Next up is a home Senior Cup quarter final match on Wednesday against Ashington.
Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans (Burn 76), Hornsby, Cassidy, Watson, Shepherd (C), Lamb (Proctor 88), Slaughter, Anderson (Cowburn 88), Stephenson (Walker 85), Hopper (Lashley 72).
Goals: Stephenson 1, Hopper 9 (Pen), Cassidy 40.
Yellow Cards: Proctor, Burn.
Red Cards: Anderson (2 Yellows).
Supporters Man Of The Match:
Referee: Kevin McKitterick.
Assistants: Hope Cairns, Thomas Ludlow.
Attendance: 304.
Venue: Wanted Stadium, Darlington Road, West Auckland, County Durham. DL14 9AQ.
Kevin Mochrie