The brave 317 fans at cold and misty Grounsell Park witnessed a competitive and entertaining match with the Stan comfortably matching their promotion chasing opponents. The Stan were ahead for much of the match but although either team could have won, a draw was probably an acceptable result to both the Stan and Ashington. 

There were 2 changes from the win at Redcar on Saturday with Flynn replacing Purvis in goal and Burn replacing Hopper. Both Andy Burn and Jay Hornsby made their 50th starts for the club. Blyth Spartans legend Robbie Dale was playing for Ashington with Dryden in goals.

Both teams started lively but it was the Stan who had the 1st opportunity to score in the 2nd minute when Anderson’s shot was blocked by Dryden and Stephenson’s rebound shot was cleared off the goal line. Another Stan attack was headed clear in 5 minutes & in 9 minutes an Ashington free kick resulted in Flynn easily catching a headed effort. 

Both teams were trying to attack but mainly cancelled each other out. Lamb was working hard, especially on the counter attack, but Flynn had to make 2 other easy saves at the other end. Dryden had to catch from a Stan free kick in 21 minutes. After a sustained attack by the visitors in 24 minutes it was back to end to action. 

It was the Stan who took the lead though in 27 minutes when Lamb crossed to unmarked Stephenson on the right hand edge of the box & he took his time to gauge his shot & send the ball into the top of the net. Although the goal had silenced the Ashington drum, the game remained competitive as Flynn had to punch clear in 30 minutes & a minute later he had to make a great save to prevent an Ashington header going into the net. 

Flynn saved again a minute later & Ashington had a few minutes of sustained pressure starting in the 35th.  A Stan effort was headed clear in 41 minutes followed by a few quieter minutes play. In the 45th minute a Cassidy effort was blocked for a corner which was cleared. The half finished with the Stan slightly on top again very much assisted by the hard work of Cassidy.

The 2nd half started with an Ashington attack but it stopped due to a foul on Flynn. In the 50th minute Stephenson supplied Anderson who battled through the visiting defence but shot wide under pressure. The Stan then shot well over followed by a speculative long range Ashington effort which went just wide although Flynn had it covered. Ashington shot wide again in 54 minutes. 

In 58 minutes, the Stan attack was freshened up when Lashley replaced Lamb & he proved a danger to the visitors for the rest of the match. In 60 minutes Hornsby intercepted the ball & passed to Lashley who twisted & turned but was eventually brought down. Dryden caught Cassidy’s resulting free kick. A long range curving Ashington effort then forced a great save from Flynn. He then had to make an even better save. 

Both teams were remaining positive & Dryden had to punch away in 63 minutes before the Stan shot wide followed by Flynn having to make 2 catches. Cassidy sent in a good ball from a corner in 68 minutes but Dyrden caught. Lashley then got in on a poor Ashington pass back but Dryden got to it 1st. He was then brought down just outside the Ashington box as he advanced. Cassidy’s free kick was deflected off the wall but Dryden caught it. 

The Stan continued to seek a killer 2nd goal with Lashley continuing to trouble the visiting defence. In 73 minutes, Ashington shot just over & 3 minutes later they shot just wide. Both teams were trying to score & in 78 minutes sub Proctor shot from a tight angle but his effort went across the goal & just wide. It was Ashington though who scored in 79 minutes when they attacked into the Stan box and Harmison blasted the ball into the net for 1-1. 

Both teams were now seeking a winner. In 86 minutes, the Stan survived some pressure when Ashington hit the post then shot wide. In 88 minutes, Lashley broke under pressure but Dryden got to the ball 1st. He then had a glorious chance to score when, from a long ball, he chipped the keeper under pressure but his effort went just over the bar. It was end to end now & in & 92 minutes Ashington shot wide. Lashley then supplied Proctor but, under pressure, his effort was easily stopped by Dryden & the final whistle blew soon after.

The Stan should be proud of their confident and positive performance especially as they have taken 4 points from the 2 games against Ashington in the league this season. The Stan now visit Wearside on Saturday when they take on Sunderland RCA.

Heaton Stannington: Flynn, Evans, Hornsby, Cassidy, Turnbull, Shepherd (C), Lamb (Lashley 58), Slaughter, Anderson (Taylor 85), Stephenson, Burn (Proctor 74)

Unused Subs: Cowburn, Purvis.

Goals: Stephenson 27.

Yellow Cards: Burn.

Supporters Man Of The Match: Tom Flynn.

Referee: Steven Beresford.

Assistants: C. Kitson, T. Wallace.

Attendance: 317.

Kevin Mochrie