Fifteen days since the Stan’s narrow Trophy defeat, they returned to the Horsfall Stadium in league action but this time without the backdrop of a massive storm. They came away with a deserved point but could have taken all three in a competitive match against promotion chasing Bradford Park Avenue. The Stan are now unbeaten in six league games. There were two changes from Wednesday’s draw with Newton Aycliffe with Beattie & Robson replacing Stephenson & Walker.
After a relatively quiet start, Gordon made a great save in the seventh minute with the rebound shot hitting the side netting. The Stan then broke forward but Hopper’s shot was easily collected by the keeper. A home player then broke forward & forced another save from Gordon. In fourteen minutes, a ball from a Stan corner was headed towards goal by Robson but was cleared off the Bradford goal line. After twenty minutes, a ball from a Bradford free kick went high and just wide.
In twenty-six minutes, a cross into the Stan box saw a home player shoot but his effort was stopped by Gordon who got down to save. The Stan countered & Slaughter sent a great long ball to the advancing Errington who passed to the also advancing Payne who passed back to Errington, but his shot was blocked by the keeper for a corner.
In thirty-four minutes, a Slaughter ball into the home box saw Capewell flattened by a home player as he was about to make contact with the ball but the referee waved play on. In forty-three minutes, a Slaughter free kick from the edge of the Bradford box hit the wall and was cleared.
The Stan had slightly the better chances in the first half but it remained 0-0 at half time.
The 2nd half was a quieter affair but both defences still had to be on their guard although there were far fewer clear chances for either side compared to in the first half.
In fifty-four minutes, a long ball from Slaughter into the Bradford box was caught by the home keeper. In sixty-four minutes, Gordon had to get down to save. Nine minutes later & a Stan attack was cleared.
There was nothing much else to report until added time when Bradford stepped up a gear to an extent although Gordon easily caught the first home effort and the second shot went wide.
This important point, & a third clean sheet in a row, sees the Stan in tenth place & both six points above the relegation zone & six points from a play-off placing. Dan Capewell was voted man of the match although all five defenders put in a great shift.
The Stan are next in action on Wednesday night when they host Bridlington Town.
Heaton Stannington: Gordon; Beattie; Robson; Capewell; Shepherd; Payne (Burn 57); Slaughter (Storey 68); Pearson; Hopper (Adamson 79); Errington (Lamb 73).
Subs Not Used: Blakey.
Supporters Man Of The Match: Dan Capewell.
Attendance: 360.
Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium, Buttershaw, Low Moor, Bradford BD6 2NG
Kevin Mochrie