Clinical finishing shows Heaton's championship credentials

Ponteland made one change for the visit to second in the table Heaton Stannington bringing in Billy Holden for his first start for 18 months following a cruciate ligament injury with Freddie Anderson dropping to the bench.

In the first half Heaton although they missed some chances didn't look a top of the table side compared to their struggling opponents. Ponteland more than held their own and the chances Heaton had were due to United's defensive errors. After ten minutes a corner from Holden was met by Anderson in front of goal but his header went wide of the post. On 10 minutes Heaton's new signing Johnathan Wright was played in on goal and although he beat keeper Blair to the ball his shot also just went wide of the upright. Wright was showing good movement up front and looking dangerous. Pont's keeper Blair did well to tip a shot from Gary Dixon over the bar. As the half went on Ponteland were looking more comfortable but on the half hour mark they had to thank Blair again when a weak back pass by Jones landed at the feet of the quick thinking Heaton striker but Blair was out quickly to his 18 yard line to block the shot with his feet. Five minutes later when Ponteland were attacking the ball fell loose and cleared up field by the Heaton defence and over the visitors' rearguard. In a flash Wright was onto it and the ball bounced nicely for him to lob Blair and put them into the lead.

Half time came and with the strong wind behind Ponteland in the second half it was felt they could still get something from this game for they hadn't been outplayed at all. How wrong could observers be. Almost from the kick off Joseph Wear for Stannington was through on goal but Blair saved bravely. Then Heaton were celebrating when a shot from Wright was heading towards goal and Wear made certain at the back stick only to be given offside. The home side were breaching the Ponteland defence far too easily with their slick passing and it certainly was a different Heaton side that came out for the second half. Pont did however have a strong appeal for a penalty when Anderson was brought down bearing in on goal but the referee thought differently. On 52 minutes Wright got the better of McAlindon and this time went on to confidently pass the ball past Blair into the bottom corner. Eight minutes later Ben Telford scored the best goal of the game ending a slick quick passing move by side footing on the volley a cross from the left past Blair. This took the sting out of Ponteland and the home side simple rose in confidence whereas some heads began to drop for Pont. The game got more stretched and Heaton looked as though they could cut through the Pont defence at every opportunity through Telford, Wear and Wright's movement and control. Telford got another goal with twenty minutes to go with a firm finish from another good passing move and Lee Johnson also got himself on the score sheet. With eight minutes to go the normally reliable Blair allowed a shot from substitute Michael Waggett to go under his outstretched arm to end a miserable second half collapse by Ponteland and although the result flattered Heaton a little they showed how clinical they can be from the quick incisive movement of their front players.

United's young manager Michael Havelock has a problem in stopping his side from leaking goals and everyone must take responsibility not just the defence.