The Stan made it 4 wins in a row after a hard-fought & action-packed match up at Tow Law. There was one change from Saturday’s home win against West Allotment Celtic with Cassidy replacing Walker.
The match started in cold but pleasant conditions with the home side attacking. Their 2nd attack in the 2nd minute saw a player run in on goal chased by the Stan defence & he beat Purvis to make it 1-0 to Tow Law.
The shock start to the match saw the Stan respond positively & the watching Stan Army, who made up the majority of the crowd, could feel immediately that a goal would come for the visitors. Both teams were trying to attack & Purvis easily caught in 6 minutes. By the 9th minute, the action was mainly in the Tow Law half but, although the Stan had most of the possession, no clear chances had been created.
In 17 minutes, a Tow Law long ball saw Purvis clear it but it came back in towards goal before eventually being cleared by the defence. 2 minutes later, after a Stan free kick into the box was cleared, Tow Law countered but were stopped by a great Hornsby tackle. Both teams were still trying to attack & were mainly cancelling each other out.
In 23 minutes, Watson, who had a great game, crossed towards Evans advancing into the box but the ball was cleared. The Stan’s best chance so far came in 24 minutes when a cross to the far post saw it passed back to Burn on the left side of goal but his effort was cleared. Tow Law then had a minute of sustained pressure ending with a headed effort only being blocked by a great save from Purvis. It was then back to end-to-end action.
In 29 minutes, a Stan free kick went just wide & 4 minutes later a Cassidy long range effort was easily caught by the home keeper. In 35 minutes a joined-up Stan attack ended with Lamb hitting the bar & the rebound shot was saved by the keeper. Tow Law then shot over before bad tackles on both Watson & Hornsby.
The Stan finally got their deserved equaliser in 38 minutes when a home player tried to hit the ball forward into the Stan half but it rebounded off a player to Lamb who ran in on goal & easily beat the keeper. 2 minutes later & Stephenson won the ball & tried to supply Anderson, but he couldn’t get to the ball. Tow Law then had to clear 2 more attacks by Hornsby & Burn. It was now all Stan until the last attack of the half which was by Tow Law but was stopped by a great tackle by Shepherd.
The Stan started the 2nd half on the attack & continued to do so for the 1st 3 minutes with the pressure ending with Stephenson shooting straight at the keeper. Tow Law then attacked but their player mis-hit allowing Purvis to catch. Anderson then supplied the advancing Burn who blasted his effort over the bar when he should have scored.
After a quieter period, a Tow Law long range effort went just over the bar. Both teams were trying to attack although the Stan seemed more in control & in 61 minutes a Cassidy free kick was headed away from just in front of the goal line. 2 minutes later & Lamb crossed to the advancing Hornsby who put his effort over the bar. With it still end to end, Lashley replaced Cassidy in 68 minutes.
In 71 minutes Lashley & Lamb set up Stephenson who shot over. After some Tow Law pressure, Burn shot well over rather than passing. A sustained period of Stan pressure included Anderson heading wide followed by Lashley being blocked. The pressure paid of in 77 minutes when Lamb was hacked in the edge of the box but managed to remain on his feet & blasted the ball through a number of players & into the net for 2-1.
The Stan then had to defend well as Tow Law sought an equaliser although in 82 minutes the Stan countered through a long ball to Lamb but the keeper got out to clear just before Lamb made contact with the ball. Lamb then won the ball but put it over under pressure.
The last 6 minutes plus 2 minutes of added time saw mainly Tow Law pressure but the Stan defended well & the Stan Army were both relieved & delighted when the final whistle came. As against WAC, the win was deserved but the Stan had to work hard to secure it. Extra credit must be given for the team’s performance last night in coming from a goal down. The Stan have now won 6 out of their last 7 league matches. They have only lost once away from home in the league & they have the opportunity to continue this trend on Saturday when they travel to Ashington.
Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans, Hornsby, Turnbull, Watson, Shepherd (C), Burn, Cassidy (Lashley 68), Anderson (Cowburn 83), Stephenson, Lamb (Proctor 83).
Unused Subs: Walker, Taylor.
Goals: Lamb 38, 77.
Yellow Cards: Hornsby.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Jordan Watson.
Referee: B. Tones.
Assistants: J. Crookes, I. Carr.
Attendance: 92 ( at least 50 Stan Army) .
Venue: Ironworks Road, Tow Law, County Durham, DL13 4EQ.
Kevin Mochrie