Despite 4 regular first team players missing, (Stephenson, Anderson, Slaughter and Turnbull) Stan opened the new year with a fine win over a very useful Guisborough Town, scoring a goal in each half and conceding none.
Before the match kicked off, an immaculate 1 minutes silence in remembrance of Barry Hindson, a long standing fan and Trustee of Stan, and the voice of non league football with Paul Dixon on BBC Radio Newcastle.
Sunshine and blue sky, pitch heavy, but a slow start to the match, perhaps the missing weeks of matches needed some readjusting to. It was also Jordan Watson’s return to the home side following his last game on 29 October when he was red carded, and his 4 match suspension took so much time to be fulfilled due to postponed games.
The visitors had a lot of the ball but were not calling upon Greg Purvis to exert himself, whereas when Stan attacked they looked threatening. On 14 minutes Andy Burn played the ball to Jordan Lashley, and he used his pace to surge towards goal, but his shot was blocked. Guisborough did not clear the ball with Jay Hornsby crossing for Burn to side foot a shot that hit the outside of the far post.
Four minutes later Leighton Hopper was fouled just outside the area, on the left. Nick Cassidy’s free kick was pushed away by keeper Will Cowey for a corner.
Hornsby conceded a corner to deny leading marksman Cole Kiernan a chance to get into the area.
On 23 minutes controversy when Hopper played the ball to Cassidy and his low cross hit the hand of James Frazer. A penalty was given. Guisborough were dismayed with the decision, but Hopper put the spot kick down the middle. 1-0
Guisborough continued to have a lot of the possession, and on 38 minutes a golden opportunity when Jack Blackford got lucky when Joe Shepherd’s defensive kick away hit a player leaving Blackford in a run on goal, but he screwed his shot wide of the post.
HT 1-0
The second half exploded within 1 minute with Kiernan having a glorious chance to equalise but he shot low and wide of the far post.
An expensive let off for 2 minutes later Lashley drove into the visitors half, played a good ball right for Hopper, his shot took a deflection and looped up and over Cowey. 2-0
Shepherd did well to stop a great surging run to the by-line, at the cost of a corner. This was met by Michael M’Gee but he headed over. He then set up Jordan Fielding but he fired wide. Pressure mounting from Guisborough, Watson, back to his best, blocked Fielding’s shot, another corner.
And the most controversial decision of the match when Kane Evans fouled Kiernan just inside the area, but ref Cameron Atkins gave a free kick outside the area. Guisborough were adamant it was a penalty, but the free kick was wildly belted over the bar.
On 76 minutes Lashley was put through on the left but scuffed his shot to Cowey.
On 84 minutes a most wonderful save from Purvis, diving full length to turn a shot over the bar. Then Blackford brought another good save by Purvis to turn away his effort.
Back hit Stan with a long ball played to Konner Lamb, he played substitute Max Cowburn in but Cowey saved.
Stan’s defence showed resilience and fortitude, whilst their marksmen were dangerous, whereas Guisborough’s possession counted for little. Dean said, “A really good clean sheet against a side that I would imagine would score in most of the games they play. A great 3 points.”
It was only the second NL1 match that Guisborough have not scored in this season. (Can you name the other side?)
31 August Stan started a magnificent run, they beat Pickering 5-1 for their first league win of the season. That win turned their season around as they have played 14 league games, winning 11 drawing 1 and losing 2. They have moved from second bottom to 6th.
Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans, Hornsby, Burn, Watson, Shepherd (C), Lashley (Proctor 64), Walker (Cowburn 81), Hopper, Cassidy, Lamb (Shell 88).
Unused Subs: Flynn, Taylor.
Goals: Hopper 23 (Pen), 48.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Greg Purvis.
Referee: Cameron Atkins.
Assistants: I. Woodward, K. Jobling.
Attendance: 414.
Brian Pratt