The Stan hosted Redcar Athletic aiming to achieve their 1st league win of the season after a great performance on the previous Friday against Whickham. It was though a case of déjà vu as the Stan put in a great deal of effort & created lots of chances but ultimately & undeservedly lost the match. There were three changes with Hornsby, Watson & Hopper replacing Bamborough, Taylor & Cassidy.

The match started quietly but burst to life in the 10th minute when Anderson advanced in on the Redcar goal but couldn’t get a clean shot & his effort was cleared. The ball came back into the edge of the box & Hopper tried a long range effort which was saved well by Bateman in the visiting goal & he also saved the rebound shot from Anderson. 2 minutes later & Ward had another shot deflected wide. 

There was another quieter 5 minute period before the Stan went on the attack again for the next few minutes but the Redcar defence dealt well with the incursions. In 24 minutes, against the run of play, Redcar were in the lead when a long cross across the pitch saw Evans try to intercept & pass to Flynn but Redcar’s Walker got to the ball & shot past Flynn. The goal seemed to spur on Redcar as 2 minutes later Flynn had to get down to save. Redcar were having most of the possession now & had 4 other attacks in the next few minutes. It was then a case of both teams trying to attack as the Stan got back into the game with 4 Stan attacks being cleared before Slaughter shot straight at Bateman in 38 minutes. 3 minutes later a joined-up Stan attack saw Anderson shoot but Bateman got down to save. Stephenson then supplied Anderson who, with only the keeper to beat, shot straight at him. There was a great move in the 45th minute when Hornsby crossed into the box but Burn’s header was put out by Bateman for a corner. The corner & another Stan free kick were also cleared as the Stan finished the half in control.

New signing Konnor Lamb, from Ryton, replaced Ward for the start of the 2nd half. The Stan started on the attack but there were no real chances until the 50th minute when the ball went across the Redcar goal. A minute later & the Stan were level when a foul on Hopper 20 yards out saw Stephenson confidently blast the ball into the back of the net direct from the free kick. 2 minutes later & Burn crossed to Lamb who gave the ball back to him but he shot well over. 

The match quietened down again but both teams were looking for a winning goal & both defences had to be on their guard. In 66 minutes, Lamb was brought down on the edge of the box but nothing was given. Almost immediately, Anderson was brought down but the referee decided that it had happened just outside the box. Burn’s free kick hit the wall & Stephenson’s rebound shot went just wide. 

Although it was looking more likely that the Stan would score, it was Redcar who took the lead again in 73 minutes when the ball was headed into the Stan net from their 1st corner of the half. From this point on, Redcar looked dangerous whenever they advanced with the ball although the Stan were also trying to create chances. Stephenson & Evans had to clear before Lamb shot straight at the keeper in 78 minutes. In the 81st minute, a visiting player advanced into the Stan box & under pressure from Stephenson fell in the box before he could get a shot in. At the other end, Hopper zig-zagged into the Redcar box but his shot went wide across goal. After a quieter few minutes, Anderson missed a cross into the box from Stephenson who soon after sent a free kick into the box which everyone missed including Shepherd at the back post. Both teams had attacks in added time but the match ended with a win for Redcar.

It was another positive performance for the Stan despite there being nothing to show for it points wise. It is back to the Wembley dream on Saturday as the Stan host North Ferriby in the FA Cup.

Heaton Stannington: Flynn, Evans, Hornsby (Bailey 69), Burn ( Cowburn 87), Watson, Shepherd, Hopper, Slaughter (C),  Anderson, Ward (Lamb 45), Stephenson.

Unused Subs: Taylor, Esdaille.

Goals: Stephenson 51.

Supporters Man Of The Match: Hopper.

Referee: M. Cain.

Assistants: P. Clayton, P. Quinn.

Attendance: 364.

Kevin Mochrie