While many people were undertaking festive activities or preparing for Xmas day itself, the Stan had a great day out at the seaside. After 3 defeats, the 4th ever match between the 2 teams saw the Stan batter Bridlington Town 4-0. After 20 away league matches in 2025, with only 1 to go, the Stan have only lost twice.
There was 1 change from Wednesday’s 4-0 home win over Grimsby Borough with Burn replacing Lamb. And what a day it was for Andy Burn who made his 200th appearance for the Stan, scored the team’s 1st goal with a spectacular shot, was voted man of the match & was part of the winning team for both quizzes on the team bus. Smoke that man a Kipper.
On a cold but dry afternoon, the 1st action came in the 3rd minute when Hopper ran into the home box, but his shot was blocked for a corner. From it the ball was initially cleared before a Hopper follow up shot was blocked. The Stan were in the lead in the 4th minute when Pearson supplied Burn whose shot from just outside the box went through everyone & into the net. There were hints of Barnoldswick in this goal.
A minute later, a Bridlington player broke & shot past the advancing Gordon but his effort was going just wide & was cleared. As well as trying to attack, the Stan were also defending well. After picking up an injury from a yellow card tackle after 5 minutes, Evans had to be replaced in the 14th minute by Chater.
Both teams were trying to attack although the Stan were pressing more. In 25 minutes, Bridlington shot well over. The Stan then had 2 attacks that were cleared. In 29 minutes, a Bridlington long range effort was deflected just wide. The ball from the resulting corner was headed just high & wide. Both teams tried to attack but it was the Stan who came closest next when in 38 minutes Errington broke & Dash in the Bridlington goal came out to block but the ball went back to Hopper whose long chip went wide.
The Stan were 2-0 up in 42 minutes when a long ball to Hopper saw him flick it on to the advancing Pearson &, with Dash coming out but missing the ball, was able to shoot into the net.
Into 4th minute of injury time, Hopper was brought down just outside the home box but nothing was given. Soon after the Stan did win a free kick but it was headed clear in the home box.
After a quieter start to the 2nd half, in the 49th minute there was a ball into Pearson just to the right of the right post but he couldn’t make contact. Soon after a Bridlington attack was cleared & 3 minutes later, they had a shot blocked. The Stan countered & Dash had to come out to clear.
In 56 minutes, Errington broke under pressure but his cross into the home box was intercepted. In 59 minutes, the Stan had a period of sustained pressure culminating in Errington shooting wide from the edge of the box. In 62 minutes, a through ball to the advancing Walker saw his shot from the edge of the box blocked by Dash.
The Stan kept pressing & in 65 minutes Dash had to punch clear with Errington’s rebound shot going wide. In 70 minutes, a goalward Errington shot was deflected for a corner. The ball from Walker’s corner was partly cleared but Burn sent it back in although Walker’s shot was blocked. There was then a joined-up attack which saw Chrisp’s cross being put out for a corner. From it, in the 73rd minute, Capewell’s header hit the bar & Shepherd did not flounder as he put his follow up headed effort into the back of the net for 3-0 to the Stan.
A minute later & a Pearson high ball into the box was caught by Dash. He also had to come out to save a Walker effort in 79 minutes. A rare Bridlington attack in the 80th minute saw them put the ball over the Stan bar. The Stan kept pressing although the hosts did force a corner in 87 minutes from which Capewell headed clear. 2 minutes later & a Stan ball across the Bridlington goal was cleared.
In 94 minutes, Pearson crossed from the left across the home box to sub Johnson just outside the box who confidently shot past Dash to make it 4-0 & get his 1st goal for the Stan.
It was a brill performance from the Stan & both a 4th win & clean sheet in a row. The Stan perch 1 place & a point off Dunston who sit in the last play off spot & they are 17 points away from the relegation zone. There are 2 crucial home games up next as the Stan take on Dunston on Tuesday followed by league leaders Redcar Athletic on Saturday.
Heaton Stannington: Gordon, Milburn, Chrisp (Beattie 85), Evans (Chater 13), Capewell (C), Shepherd, Hopper (Lamb 77), Burn, Pearson, Walker (Storey 85), Errington (Johnson 77).
Goals: Burn 4, Pearson 42, Shepherd 73, Johnson 90 (+3).
Supporters Man Of The Match: Andy Burn.
Attendance: 158.
Venue: The Mounting Systems Stadium, Queensgate, Bridlington, East Yorkshire YO16 7LN
Match Photos: Flickr.
Kevin Mochrie