Appropriately, as it was Burns Night, the Stan were on fire as they delivered a hard working but also positive performance to knock a full strength Ashington team out of the Senior Cup and progress to the semi finals where they will host either North Shields or Blyth Spartans. 

There were 2 changes from the away win at West Auckland with Burn and Lashley replacing Hopper and Anderson.

The action started with Ashington heading over the bar from a corner. It was the Stan though who took the lead in the 5th minute when the ball was sent to the advancing Lamb who blasted the ball into the far corner of the net from just outside the box. What a goal. 

An Ashington free kick was headed clear in 6 minutes & this saw the start of a period of pressure from the visitors. In 7 minutes, Ashington won a corner. From a 2nd corner, the Stan cleared in the 6 yard box but then Burn cleared again off the line. 4 minutes later and Purvis had to make a double save. 

Throughout the match, Ashington were vulnerable to counter attacks and in 11 minutes Slaughter provided Lashley who advanced into the visitor’s box but was blocked. An Ashington long ball was then easily met by Purvis who came out of his box for it but the advancing Ashington player kept going & flattened him. Lashley then broke but was blocked. 

In 17 minutes, Hornsby started a move on the left passing to Lamb who crossed to Stephenson whose scuffed ball landed at Lashley’s feet & he put it in the net for 2-0. The Stan were dealing with Ashington pressure but it was the home side who looked like scoring again in 23 minutes when Lashley broke but was pulled down just outside the box. Stephenson’s free kick went through the wall but the keeper made a good save which then hit off the post. 

Although trying to attack, the Stan defence were dealing well with Ashington pressure. In 32 minutes Ashington shot over then the ball went up and down the pitch for a few minutes. 

In 40 minutes, an Ashington counter attack was blocked but the ball went back into the box &, after Shepherd had been fouled, Burn caught an Ashington player who went down in the box. Ashington scored from the resulting penalty kick to make it 2-1 in 41 minutes. Purvis had to make 3 clearances before half time as Ashington sought an equaliser but it remained 2-1.

Both teams started the 2nd half positively. In 48 minutes, Purvis had to catch before Slaughter was taken out but nothing was given. With both teams trying to attack, the ball continued to be moved up & down the park. In 56 minutes, Purvis dived to stop an Ashington forward. In 58 minutes, Lashley sent a long diagonal ball towards Lamb but the keeper got to it first. 

Both teams were pressing but with Ashington getting more of the ball than the Stan & therefore they had more chances. The Stan defence were working hard & Purvis also made 2 easy clearances after 67 minutes. In 73 minutes, sub Proctor won the ball but was then brought down on the edge of the box. Cassidy put the resulting free kick just over the bar. 

Both teams continued to try & attack with Ashington shooting well over in both 76 and 82 minutes. After the 2nd miss, a long ball to Proctor saw him brought down & the free kick was followed by 2 Stan corners. 

The Stan continued to pressurise & in 88 minutes Proctor was brought down just inside the visitor’s box but a free kick was given just outside it. The free kick by Cassidy, taken after 89 minutes, was sent straight towards the top left hand corner of the net but the keeper scooped it off the line & Proctor put the rebound shot into the net for 3-1. 

Ashington shot wide as 4 minutes of injury time began. Cassidy then sent a ball across the Ashington goal but sub Cowburn could not make contact & was flagged for off side. Purvis cleared a long range effort in 94 minutes followed by the Stan advancing again as the final whistle was blown. 

This was a great result for the Stan against strong opposition & was a good way to celebrate the fact that this season sees the Stan competing in the Senior Cup for the 50th time. With only a 2-day break, the Stan now travel to Whickham in the league on Friday night.

Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans, Hornsby, Burn, Watson, Shepherd, Cassidy, Slaughter (C) (Walker 89), Turnbull, Lamb (Hoggins 84), Stephenson (Cowburn 89), Lashley (Proctor 70).

Unused Subs: Shell.

Goals: Lamb 5, Lashley 17, Proctor 88.

Yellow Cards: Shepherd. 

Supporters Man Of The Match: Shepherd. 

Referee: Darren Williams.

Assistants: J. Gray, C.Atkins.

Attendance: 285.

Kevin Mochrie