Heaton Stannington faced promoting chasing Ashington, unbeaten in all their previous 9 NL1 games, and managed a magnificent result, with solid defending and a fine counter attacking goal following Ashington’s failure to convert a penalty kick.
Richie Slaughter was given a yellow card on 8 mins for a foul.
29 mins was a big key moment in the match. Jordan Watson punished for his challenge on Dean Briggs, penalty.
Leading goalscorer Ben Harmison saw his spot kick pushed away to Briggs who smashed his shot against the post. The ball rebounded out to Slaughter, Stan instantly counter attacked with Slaughter playing a superb ball down the left for Dan Stephenson and he laid on a plate a chance for Konner Lamb who made no mistake for his 9th goal of the season. 0-1
My thoughts at half time were that Ashington were slow and laboured in getting the ball moving forward, and not much quality. Stan had competed well with good performances all over the team. Surely Ashington would improve.
H.T. 0-1
Ashington showed their intent, restarted with 3 substitutions, bringing on Danny Anderson, Craig Spooner and Liam Smith.
A large scramble in Stan area as Ashington had various shots, either blocked or half cleared, eventually a shot flying over the bar, or Purvis saving comfortably. Still leading 0-1
54 mins Nick Cassidy replaced Lamb.
With around 20 minutes or so left Ashington moved the tall centre back Ben Harmison up-field, and though he won many of the high balls, none of them resulted in challenging seriously for an equaliser. As was expected, Ashington dominated possession in the second half, but Purvis was not really tested in the second half.
Just past the hour and Dan Stephenson had a shot but it went narrowly wide.
74 mins James Proctor and former Collier, Jordan Lashley replaced Andy Burn and Louis Anderson.
Four minutes later Max Cowburn replaced Stephenson.
Proctor only lasted 7 minutes as he sustained an elbow injury in a challenge and had to be substituted by Josh Walker.
5 mins added on time but it made no difference. Stan stood firm. The whole team played ever so well. Tired but happy faces on all Stan players as they left the field.
Dean Nicholson said to me, “We lost a lot of players in the Summer for one reason or another, it happens, we had to kind of rebuild it again. But we are now solid, and ever since that Pickering game we turned a corner. Today was our result of the season so far.”
Another big following of Stan fans in the biggest NL1 crowd of the season so far, 618, delighted with another win, their team now up to seventh, and looking forward to the visit of Whitley Bay on Friday evening.
Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans, Hornsby, Turnbull, Watson, Shepherd, Burn (Proctor 74 (Walker 81)), Slaughter (C), Anderson (Lashley 74), Stephenson (Cowburn 78), Lamb (Cassidy 54).
Goals: Lamb 29.
Yellow Cards: Slaughter 8.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Greg Purvis.
Referee: Scott. Henry.
Assistants: K. Jobling, W. Carter.
Attendance: 618.
Venue: Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FW.
Brian Pratt