This fixture has never failed to produce goals, late drama, some quality excitement, and this encounter was no different. 4 goals, 2 sin bins, both managers yellow carded within a minute of each other, with Stan taking the lead, only for the Cumbrian’s to take the lead, with a spirited response from Stan to gain a deserved late equaliser.
Liam Doyle found Konner Lamb, he played the ball to Sean Reid who set up Declan Bissett whose excellent shot brought out a diving save from Scott Simons to push the ball out to Leighton Hopper with his shot from an acute angle hitting the woodwork.
Reid then had a back header from Bissett’s cross, but City cleared. But on 15 minutes Stan opened the scoring. What a top notch pass from Reid out right to Doyle, whose first touch was not so good, but his next touch was exquisite as he cut inside and drilled a low shot inside the post. 1-0. Unfortunately that was the end of the match for Doyle as he left the field injured, replaced by Jake Turnbull.
Nick Cassidy played a strong ball back to Lewis Brass who was under pressure but he found touch.
On 2o minutes a long ball up field from the visitors seemed to hold up in the wind with Brass coming to collect managed to take out Callum Birdsall rather ruthlessly. Birdsall left the field in some agony, with ex Workington Jordan Holt striking the penalty in with ease. 1-1
On 26 minutes City manager James Nichols was yellow carded and then Dean Nicholson got the same treatment from the ref who was applying the new rules about dissent.
Stan had a lot of possession, but rarely tested Simons, Lamb blazing over the bar, following a 5 man move, Hopper chip kicked away near the goal line.
On 40 minutes Cassidy conceded a corner on the left, which Jordan Palmer took, with Stan not fully clearing with Josh Simpson, about 25 yards out hitting a fierce low drive which Mark Turnbull superbly blocked.
A new factor for all was 6 minutes of added on time, in which a Thomas Mahone shot was deflected for a corner, from which Jack Dickinson hit a wild shot over the bar
H.T. 1-1
On 47 minutes Mahone was sin-binned for dissent.
A three man man move from Stan was only half cleared, with Cassidy setting up a brilliant 11 man move with Reid fouled on the edge of the area. Cassidy hit the free kick which deflected for a corner.
Hornsby was getting forward more now, some good surging runs, but still not able to penetrate the hard working City defence.
Reid was sin-binned on 57 minutes. Lamb managed a decent run with a low shot into Simons hands.
On the hour Palmer’s low shot Brass turned behind from a corner on the right. Simpson crossed for ex Gretna Dickinson to head in. 1-2.
10 man Stan were under a bit of pressure but Mark Turnbull and Craig Scott were magnificent throughout the match.
Jordan Lashley and Andy Burns came on as Stan sought an equaliser. Lamb set up Reid but he shot into the side netting, Hopper’s mazy run left players in his wake, crossed for Lamb but his header was mistimed.
But the pressure told on 81 minutes with Lashley on the right got to the byline and pulled back for Lamb to smash in. 2-2
Though Lamb had a shot blocked and Reid headed low past the upright, City hung on to gain a valuable point.
Dean Nicholson said, “We have not conceded yet a goal this season from open play which is frustrating. Conceded 3 penalties in 4 games. We are not getting the rub of the green at the moment, which can and will change.”
Heaton Stannington: Brass, Doyle (J. Turnbull 16), Hornsby (Walker 82), Evans (Burn 71), M. Turnbull (C), Scott, Reid, Cassidy, Lamb, Bisset (Lashley 71), Hopper.
Unused Subs: Corkhill.
Goals: Doyle 16, Lamb 81.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Mark Turnbull.
Sin-Binned: Reid 57.
Yellow Cards: Nicholson 26.
Red Cards: None.
Referee: David Fittes.
Assistants: O. Andre, D. Prince.
Attendance: 258.
Brian Pratt.