Last-gasp drama from the spot hits Colliers

A CONTROVERSIAL late penalty from Leighton Hopper helped Heaton Stannington to a dramatic 3-2 home win against title rivals Easington Colliery.

The Colliers looked on their way to a crucial three points as they recovered from a James Proctor opener to take a narrow lead into the final five minutes thanks to goals from Liam Adamson and Ethan Ord.

Liam Mcbryde grabbed an equaliser for the hosts on 82 minutes and Hopper converted a late penalty after Harvey Walsh was adjudged to have been fouled in the visitors’ area.

The Stan almost made the perfect start to the game as Dean Holmes came close to edging them in front inside the opening 30 seconds.

The former North Shields winger looked set to capitalise on some hesitant defending from the Colliers but saw his shot smothered by Aaron Steavens at his near post.

It would be a temporary reprieve for the visitors as the Stan opened the scoring less than two minutes later as James Proctor raced in on goal and coolly slotted the ball beyond the Colliers keeper.

That goal shook the visitors into life as they created two quickfire chances with Kevin Pearn forcing

Stan keeper Dan Regan into a save at his near post and Liam Adamson sending an angled drive wide.

An equaliser finally arrived on the half-hour mark as Adamson pulled the visitors level with a finish from close-range.

A ball into the Stan area found the head of captain Jack Pounder and his effort was parried by Regan – but Adamson was on hand to tap home from inside the six-yard box.

The momentum of the game swung back in the favour of the hosts as half-time approached as they finished the opening 45 minutes on the front foot.

Goalscorer Proctor could and should have doubled his tally and restored his side’s lead on 42 minutes when he raced in on goal but fired his shot wildly wide at the near post.

The final action of the half brought a controversial moment as Colliers defender James Cassidy seemed to miss a handball in the area.

Referee Peter Osgood looked to his

HEATON STANNINGTON EASINGTON

assistant for a second opinion but neither official was willing to give the hosts the decision they wanted.

Easington got themselves in front for the first time in the game ten minutes into the second-half when Ethan Ord headed home at the second attempt after Steavens had parried his initial effort.

The Colliers continued to threaten and substitute Ryan Leonard came close to extending their advantage when he crashed a shot beyond the near post with 78 minutes on the clock. That provoked a fine response from the Stan as they got back level with seven minutes remaining thanks to a goal from top goalscorer Liam Mcbryde.

Leighton Hopper raced into space down the left-hand side and his cross was stepped over by Holmes to allow Mcbryde to expertly dispatch the loose ball into the top corner.

The drama was not finished with that equaliser as the Stan were handed a chance to snatch all three points in the final minute of the game.

Substitute Harvey Walsh contested a loose ball with Colliers defender Cassidy and fell to the floor on the edge of the visitors’ area.

Referee Osgood looked to his assistant once again and this time he received a response to award a penalty – much to the chagrin of the Colliers players, coaches and supporters.

Hopper stepped up to take the resultant spot-kick and sent Steavens the wrong way to earn a crucial three points for Dean Nicholson’s men and ensure they moved nine points clear of their visitors.

The understandable anger from the visitors spilled over as Paul Wardle and midfielder Kyle Middleton were both shown red cards for their protests over the decision.

The full-time whistle arrived moments later and ensured the Stan had somehow edged a titanic clash against their nearest rivals.

HEATON STANNINGTON: Regan, Mcandrew, Stephenson, Luke, Watson, Esdaile (Hall), Proctor (Walsh), Carr, Mcbryde, Holmes, Hopper Subs: Kerr, Bailey, Hornsby

EASINGTON COLLIERY: Steavens, Cassidy, Thompson, Pearson, Ord, Mcguinness, Pearn (Leonard), Middleton, Pounder, Guy, Adamson Subs: Devlin, Lincoln Barrow, Elliott, Wells