The Stan ended their pre-season build up with a 100% record from their 7 friendly matches. They were due to play Scottish opposition Hutchison Vale but they pulled out less than 48 hours before kick-off. It was very appropriate and warming that newly promoted Birtley were able to step in as the game was also in memory of the late Gordon Wilson who was a long-term Stan fan & volunteer, but he also was originally from Birtley. 

The turnstile entrance has now been renamed ‘Gordon’s Gate’ in his honour & members of his family were present for the opening. The Birtley team included ex-Stan James Proctor who put on a good show for the healthy crowd of 203 who turned up despite the constant & torrential rain.

The Stan had most of the early possession, after 3 minutes a cross from Hornsby saw Doyle’s shot blocked. In 8 minutes, Lamb sent a free kick just wide. Birtley only had 2 attacks in the 1st 13 minutes but then had a period of pressure as they got back into the game. They shot wide in 17 minutes. From 22 minutes there was a period of end to end football but with no actual shots until in 26 minutes Lamb broke & shot just wide. Lamb then supplied Reid in the box who mishit his effort. 

In 30 minutes, a Proctor shot for Birtley was caught by Brass as the former continued to put pressure on his old team. It was 1-0 to the Stan in 32 minutes when a cross from the advancing Doyle on the right into the visitor’s box saw Reid slide in to put the ball in the net. 

5 minutes later & it was 2-0 when Hornsby crossed to Reid who without hesitation shot into the net for his 2nd goal. A minute later & the Birtley keeper saved a Lamb effort. In 41 minutes, a Reid long range effort went wide & 2 minutes later Shepherd had to head clear a Birtley effort. The half ended after a corner, from a deflected Lamb shot, eventually saw the Birtley keeper catch the ball.

The very wet 2nd half started with mainly Stan passion but mostly in the middle of the park. Birtley shot wide in 53 minutes & followed this up with a period of pressure. Sub Jake Turnbull’s runs were creating problems for the Birtley defence. A bad tackle on him in 67 minutes saw the resulting Reid free kick being deflected for a corner. In 69 minutes, a Birtley effort went just wide. 

In 73 minutes, the visitors scored when a long-range effort beat Brass. 2 minutes later & a defensive mistake allowed a Birtley player to try a chip but luckily it went past Brass & the post. The Stan had been quieter since the Birtley goal although in 80 minutes Lashley supplied Lamb but his shot from the edge of the box hit the post. The resulting corner ball went across the goal missing everyone. Lashley then advanced but was eventually blocked. 

Reid had now moved into defence with Burn moving up front. There was a great ball from Slaughter to Jake Turnbull but the Birtley keeper just got to it 1st. In 84 minutes, Slaughter had the ball in the Birtley net for what looked like 3-1 but the linesman’s flag went up for offside. In 88 minutes, there was a great block by Brass who had advanced to the edge of his box. This was followed at the other end by a great run & cross from Lashley to the advancing Jake Turnbull, but his shot was blocked by the keeper. The match ended with no change in the 2-1 score as Slaughter’s long shot went high & wide.

It was a competitive match & a hard fought win for the Stan. So, it is 7 wins out of 7 for the Stan, including one trophy, although this match was the only one in which Konner Lamb did not score. Next up is the 1st league match of the season next Saturday when the Stan host Whickham.

Heaton Stannington:  Brass, Doyle (J. Turnbull 45), Hornsby, M. Turnbull (Burn 63), Evans, Shepherd, Sayer (Walker 45), Slaughter (C), Lamb, Reid, Hopper (Lashley 63).  

Goals: Reid 32, 37.

Supporters Man Of The Match: 

Yellow Cards: 

Red Cards: 

Referee: Elliot Cowens.

Assistants: 

Attendance: 203.

Kevin Mochrie

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