A full blooded local derby with four goals, Stan had 2 sent off, and a home player stretchered off in a match that was unpredictable with its outcome right up to the final minute.

Benfield set off very well, playing with determination and on 10 minutes we had, with hindsight, a marker as what to expect, when Jake Turnbull and Kyle Errington went into a fifty fifty tackle, fairly, strongly, but it was given as a free kick against Turnbull. Why? From it a 3 man move with Aiden Haley hitting a low shot from outside the area with Callum Corkhill making a decent save. Stan made a really slow start, under some early pressure.

Three minutes later, Benfield opened the scoring when Layton Watts tried a long range shot from well outside the area, which Corkhill seemed to have covered until the ball bounces awkwardly in front of him and nestled into the net. 0-1

Around 21 minutes Watts hit a fierce shot which hit Kane Evans fully in the face, with him collapsing, and the game immediately stopped for help to be given to Evans, who was able to carry on.

Stan were finding it difficult to get near their opponents goal with keeper Alfie Gordan having nothing to save. However on 27 minutes a ball was played out left for Leighton Hopper to control, cut inside, firing a low shot which Gordon could do nothing to save. Hoppers 12th goal of the season.1-1

On 29 minutes Paul Brayson was booked.

Two minutes later Bradley Hird fell ungainly, was given lengthy treatment before he was stretchered off. Konner Lamb replaced him. It looked a serious injury, with the fans applauding him off and wishing him well.

On 38 minutes a great save from Corkhill to deny Brayson.

Good work from Lashley, crossing for Lamb who was about to hit it but a defender just managed to get his foot on the ball to deny the Stan striker an opportunity. Then Lashley crossed for Jake Turnbull but he headed over the bar.

H.T. 1-1

A good restart from the Stan, Lamb had a low shot saved. But another injury struck Stan on 55 minutes when Evans had concussion and had to be replaced by Andy Burn,

On 61 minutes Hopper played the ball for Hornsby to chase down the left flank with his cross just evading Lashley at the far post.

Unbelievably Joe Shepherd got a straight red on 63 minutes. I was not sure it was a yellow! Paul Brayson did not think it was a red card! To make matters worse for Stan, Corkhill sat down and needed treatment. It was to happen a couple of more times, as he was struggling with his vision, on 69 and 75 minutes.  

A good first time strike from substitute Nick Cassidy which Gordon saved.

86 minutes and a goal for Stan. Good breakaway from Stan, Hopper effort somehow saved by Gordon on the line, a scramble, Lamb had a couple of efforts and he made amends by netting from close range. 2-1 Could Stan hold on to the lead? 

7 minutes of added on time. Pressure mounting on Stan goal. Could Corkhill keep the shots out? Clocked ticked by with Stan managing to keep ahead, but on 92 minutes Benfield equalised when their captain Joe Robson headed in. 2-2

Worse to come on 96 minutes, Jake Turnbull was given a second yellow card and Stan down to 9 men. They did manage to hang on and get a draw. The cost for the side will be seen when Dean and Andy try to pick a side for away match at Bishop Auckland on Saturday.

Dean Nicholson said after the match, “A proper game, we dug in, we really, really dug in and got the point we deserved. We changed our shape and coped a lot better. The lads showed character.”

 FT 2-2

Heaton Stannington: Corkhill, Marriott, Hornsby, Evans (Burn 55), M. Turnbull, Shepherd, J. Turnbull, Slaughter (C), Hird (Lamb 34), Hopper (Walker 88), Lashley (Cassidy 64)

Unused Subs: Bisset.

Goals: Hopper 27, Lamb 86.

Red Cards: Shepherd, J. Turnbull (2 x Y) 96.

Supporters Man Of The Match: 

Referee: David Mitchell.

Assistants: M. Spicer, J. Whitfield

Attendance: 273

Brian Pratt