There was a lot at stake for both teams as play-off placed Stocksbridge travelled to Grounsell Park for the 1st time to take on Heaton Stannington who were in the relegation zone. The Stan had only dropped into the 4th & last relegation spot the night before due to Ossett winning.
After losing an early goal, the Stan battled all the way & were deservedly rewarded with a late equalising goal which took them immediately back out of the relegation zone. There were 5 changes from Saturday’s defeat at Sheffield with Brass, Shepherd, Slaughter, Lamb & Stephenson replacing De Jesus, Turnbull, Burn. Anderson & Thompson.
The match started badly for the Stan as they conceded a goal after only 3 minutes. An unexpected pass back to Brass saw him unable to hold the ball under pressure from the advancing Morris who pinched the ball & slotted it into the Stan net.
There was a quieter period until the 29th minute when the Stan had their 1st clear opportunity to score. Errington sent a great cross into the Stocksbridge box, but lamb was unable to connect with it. The Stan though could have been 2-0 down in 34 minutes when Brass made a fantastic save from a Stocksbridge counterattack.
In 37 minutes, a bending long range effort from Errington was caught by the Stocksbridge keeper. A minute later & somehow the visitors’ defence managed to prevent the Stan scoring when they cleared in the 6 yard box 3 times after the initial Stan shot had hit the near post.
Stockbridge were reduced to 10 men in 42 minutes when Charlesworth was sent off for a bad tackle on Lamb.
Just as they had finished the 1st half, the Stan started the 2nd half positively. There was a great chance for Errington 3 minutes into the half when he controlled the ball from a pass & fired a shot which went just wide of the visitors’ post. In 50 minutes, the Stocksbridge keeper got down to save a Capewell effort. This was followed almost immediately by sub Hopper trying to bundle the ball into the corner of the net but his effort went just wide. The keeper then had to make another 2 saves as the Stan kept the pressure on.
In 52 minutes, the visitor’s had a rare effort when they shot wide. After a quieter period, the Stan nearly equalised in 68 minutes when a scramble in the Stocksbridge 6-yard box saw their keeper punching the ball clear before clearing it again. In 74 minutes, a Stocksbridge free kick hit the Stan bar. 3 minutes later a Stan attack was cleared followed by a Stephenson volley from the edge of the box which was caught by the keeper.
In 83 minutes, a Stan player was brought down in the visitors’ box but nothing was given. The Stan continued the attack, but a shot was blocked on the line followed by a Capewell header being tipped over the bar by the keeper for a corner. From the corner, Anderson headed over the bar.
The Stan kept the pressure on & their efforts, which had included 5 goal line clearances from Stocksbridge, finally came off in the 92nd minute when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Stocksbridge box. Stephenson’s free kick ball hit the bar & went into the net off the back of the Stocksbridge keeper. What a way to equalise & Stephenson was also deservedly voted man of the match.
After 2 heavy defeats, the Stan showed determination to turn things around against promotion chasing opposition despite going behind after 3 minutes. A solid home performance, after 2 recent heavy away defeats, showed why teams do not like visiting Grounsell Park but why the Stan Army do. They created lots of chances to achieve a well-earned point as they seek to move back up the table. They now travel to Derbyshire on Saturday to face Belper Town & on boxing day there is a local derby when Ashington visit High Heaton.
Heaton Stannington: Brass, Evans, Hornsby, Groves, Shepherd, Capewell, Spence (Thompson 63), Slaughter (C), Errington (Burn 79), Lamb (Anderson 71), Stephenson.
Unused Sub: Marriott.
Goals: Stephenson 90 (+2).
Supporters Man Of The Match: Dan Stephenson.
Yellow Cards: Shepherd, Spence.
Red Card: Brass.
Referee: Thomas James.
Attendance: 149.