The Stan got back on winning ways as they recovered from Tuesday’s defeat in, and marathon coach journey to, North Yorkshire. It was a hard-fought match but the Stan held on to achieve their third home win in a row. There were 2 changes as Slaughter replaced Jake Turnbull who was suspended. Brad Hird, a new loan signing this week from North Shields, replaced the injured Hopper.

On a cold Friday evening, but in front of a healthy crowd of 334, an early advantage was gained by Seaham when, in 4 minutes, one of their players broke through & was 1 on 1 with Purvis who tried to block but could not prevent the goal. A Seaham attack was cleared after 6 minutes & 2 minutes later Hird advanced & shot wide when he should have passed. 

In 10 minutes, a Seaham attack was cleared and the Stan counterattack came to nothing. After this, the Stan continued to try to attack but could not break through and Seaham looked strong. In 17 minutes, Shepherd headed down towards goal from a free kick but the keeper got to it. 

In 19 minutes, Hird broke through & was brought down in the box by the keeper. In 20 minutes, on his debut, he confidently scored the resulting penalty to make it 1-1. There was a quieter period until in 30 minutes a shot by Lamb was caught by the visiting keeper. A Seaham attack was then blocked & the rebound shot was saved by Purvis. 

In 34 minutes, the advancing Hird was brought down. Cassidy’s resulting free kick into the Seaham box was missed by everyone & went wide. Seaham had a sustained attack in 37 minutes although both teams were trying to attack with the ball continuously going from end to end.but with both teams cancelling each other out. In 42 minutes, Seaham shot wide under pressure.& in 46 minutes Purvis had to catch from a corner.

Proctor replaced Lamb for the start of the 2nd half which started quietly but positively for the Stan. After 50 minutes, a Hornsby cross come shot into the box saw the keeper bang against the far post as he got to the ball & dropped it but he caught it at the 2nd attempt. In 54 minutes, Purvis got down to save a Seaham shot. In 57 minutes, Proctor was heading for the Seaham goal when he was brought down. Cassidy’s free kick was blocked & although the ball was sent back in the keeper was able to catch it. 2 minutes later & Seaham shot wide. They then had a shot resulting from a corner put wide. 

Seaham shot wide again in 62 minutes followed by Hornsby, who was working his socks off, forcing a corner. In 65 minutes, a Cassidy free kick into the box was caught by the keeper. Seaham then shot high & over. Both teams were trying to attack which was making the match entertaining for the fans. In 68 minutes, Proctor supplied Burn who passed to Hornsby whose shot  was blocked on the line. 

The Stan did take the lead though in the 69th minute when Burn fed Cassidy who crossed the ball into the box. The keeper got up but missed the ball & Marriott headed into the net for his 1st goal for the Stan. In 73 minutes, Hird turned & put the ball across the 6 yard box but there was no one there to connect with it. 

In 77 minutes a Seaham shot was blocked & the rebound shot went over. In 86 minutes, there was scramble in the Seaham box & the Stan players called for a penalty for handball but nothing was given. Both teams continued to try & attack & Purvis had to get down to save in 87 minutes. A Seaham corner was then cleared in the 6 yard box followed by a Lashley counter attack but he was blocked by the keeper.  

The referee magically announced 8 minutes of added time which encouraged Seaham who sent the ball across the Stan goal in 93 minutes but the advancing player at the far post could not connect with it. The Stan were also trying to score as the match dragged on. In the 98th minute, the visiting keeper went up for a free kick but eventually offside was given & soon after the final whistle was finally blown.

So the Stan came from a goal down to secure victory. Manager Dean Nicholson must be applauded for his transfer policy as both goals were debut ones for his 2 new loan signings form North & South Shields. All the team though put in an enormous effort to secure the victory which is even more commendable given how draining Tuesday night’s match and journey were. Next Saturday the Stan are on the road again as they head to Penrith.

Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Cassidy (Burn 73), Hornsby, Turnbull M. , Marriott (Proctor 62), Shepherd (C), Stephenson (Walker 78), Slaughter (Burn 55), Hird (Lashley 85), Bisset (Evans 61), Lamb (Proctor 46).

Goals: Hird 20 (pen), Marriott 69.

Yellow Card: Proctor.

Supporters Man Of The Match: Jay Hornsby.

Referee: B Tones..

Assistants: M. Young, N. Sherratt.

Attendance: 334.

Kevin Mochrie