Heaton Stannington were without the injured Carr, Hopper and Lamb, and Stephenson was not available, Stan in their previous seven NL 1 matches had conceded the first goal, and went on to win 3, draw 1 and lose the other three.
However they broke that bad pattern, getting an early goal, conceded an equaliser five minutes from half time but were still able to go to the changing rooms a goal up at the interval. The second half Stan were far more able to control the game and scored another goal and run out worthy winners, and rise up two places in the table. Warm applause at the end from most of the 361 attenders.
The match opened explosively with Stan scoring on 2 minutes, with a throw in from Kane Evans to Louis Anderson, back to Evans, then back to Anderson who played the ball inside for Andy Burn, just on the edge of the area, central, one touch to control before hitting a low shot into the bottom far corner. 1-0
Stan had a shout for a penalty three minutes later when Anderson was tackled in the area. Ref said play on.
Redcar responded with Mark Anderson having a low shot straight to Lewis Brass.
Jordan Lashley just failed to get on the end of a through ball, then Sean Reid hit a free kick over the bar.
Brass came to the rescue on 20 minutes as Curtis Round chased a ball into the area, but he came and caught the ball to deny the visitors any opportunity. Nine minutes later Brass came out of his area to head the ball away as Adam Boyes attacked, straight to Anderson who volleyed high over the bar.
Richie Slaughter was having a magisterial match, strong and resilient, leading his team in the battle. Alfie Marriott and Craig Scott were kept busy, and battled away strongly.
Scott headed behind to concede a corner as the Cleveland side were pushing for an equaliser.
On 35 minutes a good build up play, Anderson to Reid, with his goal bound shot pushed away for a corner,
A couple of minutes later the experienced Kevin Burgess brought down Lashley in the area. This time it was a penalty, with Burgess getting booked. Reid’s low spot kick was saved by Lee Roberts.
Redcar equalised on 40 minutes with the move starting on their left, just inside their own area by Boyes, he surged to the back post as Andersons shot was pushed away by Brass, with Boyes swooping to net from close range. 1-1
Two minutes added on when Reid fed Lashley to Anderson, with a defender intercepting but his pass went to Evans, who played a simple ball forward for Burns, one touch to set himself, then the ball went up and over Roberts. Home fans ecstatic. 2-1
HT 2-1
Stan did much better in the second half, contained and controlled Redcar’s threat. Stan were much hungrier to get into the Redcar box and score, whereas Brass was hardly troubled.
On 49 minutes Anderson to Reid to Lashley with his fierce shot finger tipped over the bar.
Brass made just one notable save in the second half, on 53 minutes with a cross to the back post for Jack Blackford to volley, ball stopped by keepers legs to concede a corner.
Just past the hour Burn to Anderson, his cross cut out, with Reid waiting, expectantly for that cross to get on scoring sheet.
Liam Doyle ran from his own half to the edge of the Redcar box, with a lovely pass to Reid, but his weak low shot was easily saved.
Danny Sayer replaced Lashley on 73 minutes, and was immediately in the action. A long throw from Jay Hornsby, headed forward by Reid to Sayer, with the ball to Burn whose wonderful low shot nestled in the bottom corner of the net. 3-1 A wonderful hat trick!
Five minutes of added on time, but no danger to Stan and they were warmly applauded at the final whistle.
To get a double over such a decent side speaks volumes of Stan’s determination to climb the table.
FT 3-1
Dean said after the match, “It was a real real decent job by every single player that took part, and thoroughly deserved. Everyone was excellent, you have be to beat a side like that. We were excellent second half, dominant, catching them on the break a lot, created a lot of chances.”
Stan are away on Wednesday night at Benfield, and then on Saturday welcome second placed Shildon to Grounsell Park.
Heaton Stannington: Brass, Evans, Hornsby, Reid, Scott (Shepherd 85), Marriott, Doyle (Cassidy 84), Slaughter (C), Anderson (), Lashley (Sayer 73), Burn (Turnbull 88).
Unused Subs: Corkhill.
Goals: Burn 2, 45 (+2),
Supporters Man Of The Match: Andy Burn.
Referee: Callum Black.
Assistants: M. Moore, M. Baston.
Attendance: 361.
Brian Pratt