The 1st home pre-season friendly ended in another good win for the Stan & a 3rd hat trick in 3 games for Konner Lamb. The team were tested more though than in the 1st 2 games combined as visitors Wallington from the Northern Alliance Premier Division put in a good effort.
The Stan went ahead after only 7 minutes when a great cross from Evans saw Lamb calmly put the ball into the net. The next 17 minutes saw a few half chances for the Stan although Wallington’s Ellis was a constant handful at the other end. In 24 minutes, Bisset headed over the bar & Slaughter did the same 2 minutes later.
The visitor’s had a free kick in 30 minutes but although Cooper put it over the wall, it went straight to the Stan trialist keeper. 5 minutes later & there was a great move by Evans & Hopper but the latter’s shot was smothered by the Wallington defence. In 37 minutes, Reid had a great long range effort which went just wide. It was Wallington though who scored next when Cooper sent a ball through to Palmer who beat the Stan keeper for 1-1.
Disappointed at not being ahead at half time, the Stan came out with purpose for the 2nd half & they showed that they meant business as they were back in the lead in the 49th minute when a speculative Lamb shot took a deflection & wrong footed the Wallington keeper. It was 3-1 to the Stan 3 minutes later when a brilliant cross from Hornsby was headed into the net by Reid.
After a quieter period, Wallington got a goal back in 62 minutes when the Stan failed to clear & Palmer put the ball into the home box for Roberts to score. In 75 minutes, the Stan regained their 2 goal cushion when Lashley turned 2 defenders inside out & supplied Lamb who finished nicely at the near post.
The Stan again came close in 82 minutes when sub Jake Turnbull’s great volley hit the post & nearly knocked the goals over. The score though remained 4-2 at the final whistle.
3 comfortable wins out of 3 for the Stan will definitely delight the Stan Army as the start of the league season gets closer. Next up is another home friendly on Wednesday against Percy Main.
Heaton Stannington: Trialist (Purvis). Evans (J. Turnbull). Hornsby (Sayer). M. Turnbull, Scott (Burn), Shepherd, Bisset (Walker), Slaughter (Cassidy), Lamb, Reid, Hopper (Lashley).
Goals: Lamb 7, 49, 75, Reid 52.
Supporters Man Of The Match:
Referee: Steven Beresford.
Attendance: 184.
Match Photos: Flickr.
Kevin Mochrie