Although the 2nd & final route to Wembley this season shut on Saturday for the Stan, the road to the Senior Cup final at St James’ Park began tonight with a hard fought & late victory against Northern League newcomers Prudhoe YC Seniors. There were 3 changes from Saturday’s Vase defeat with Watson, Burn and Cowburn replacing Evans, Bamborough and Lamb. Given the wet and cold conditions, there was a healthy crowd of 182.
Prudhoe nearly took a shock lead in the 1st minute when, from a corner, they hit the post. Both teams tried to attack but nothing really happened until the Stan took the lead in 18 minutes.
A Prudhoe attack had been cleared before the ball was sent back into the Stan box but Purvis caught. The Stan then countered & Anderson was initially blocked in the 6 yard box with the ball going to Lashley who sent it back to Anderson who forced the ball into the net. The goal was followed by more Stan pressure until Prudhoe shot over the bar in 22 minutes.
There were 2 more Prudhoe attacks before it was 3rd time lucky for them in 28 minutes when they equalised direct from a free kick which went over the wall & Purvis & into the net. The equaliser spurred the visitors on & almost immediately a Prudhoe break down the right saw Purvis having to get down to stop it.
A Prudhoe attack was headed clear in 31 minutes before another shot from them went wide. Anderson had a good opportunity in 35 minutes when he won the ball & advanced but he shot straight at the keeper. Cowburn shot over in 39 minutes before Purvis got down well to save at the other end. Both teams were trying to score again & both did in the few minutes remaining of the 1st half.
In 41 minutes, Cowburn supplied Anderson who blasted the ball into the Prudhoe net. A minute later, a Prudhoe attack saw the ball curled into the Stan box & it went straight into the net for a fantastic equaliser.
The 2nd half was a quieter affair although the 1st 7 minutes saw Prudhoe having most of the possession. In 52 minutes, a Prudhoe free kick saw the ball bounce awkwardly, but Purvis managed to catch it.
The Stan then put pressure on for the next 10 minutes including through a Stephenson free kick in 53 minutes which was headed on by Burn but the Prudhoe keeper managed to punch the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, half time sub Proctor headed over.
There was a quieter period until in 67 minutes Anderson’s attempted pass to Proctor was intercepted when he should have taken a shot. After another lull, Proctor supplied Slaughter but he headed over in 75 minutes.
In 86 minutes, Prudhoe eventually had another chance to score & should have done so but Purvis blocked the shot. The visitors then shot over & had a corner cleared as they made a late attempt to win the match. In the 90th minute, just as it looked like the match would be decided by penalties, Anderson passed to Stephenson just outside the box & he took a shot which sent the ball over everyone in the box & went into the left hand corner of the net to the delight of the Stan Army.
In the 5th minute of added time, Prudhoe shot over but the Stan had done enough to win. The Stan are now in the Quarter Finals with a potential appearance at St James’ Park now only 2 matches away. First though the Stan are back in league action when, after a 71 year gap, they host Bishop Auckland on Saturday.
Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Turnbull (Ward 72), Hornsby, Burn (Cassidy 81), Watson, Shepherd, Cowburn 78), Slaughter (C), Anderson (Taylor 90), Stephenson (Hoggins 94), Lashley (Proctor 45).
Goals: Anderson 18, 40, Stephenson 90.
Yellow Cards: Slaughter, Anderson.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Jay Hornsby.
Referee: Matt. Harris.
Assistants: J. Gray, E. Cowens.
Attendance: 182.
Kevin Mochrie