MATCH PREVIEW: First ever clash with The Stan

Reds will travel to the north east on Saturday for what, arguably, will be their toughest pre-season test so far. They visit Northern Premier League East outfit, Heaton Stannington, in what will be the first ever meeting against the Newcastle outfit.

Stan have enjoyed a successful pre-season and have won all four of their games to date, scoring thirteen goals in the process. Their game against us will be the final ‘friendly’ before starting the season proper with an FA Cup clash at Whitley Bay then hosting Lincoln United on the opening Saturday of the NPL campaign.

Last season was their first in the NPL and they finished a commendable 12th in the East Division table. They also lifted the Northumberland Cup after overcoming Morpeth Town in the final at St. James’ Park.

The season before saw them gain promotion to Step 4 after reaching the Northern League play-offs. They got the better of West Auckland Town in the final before a record crowd of 2,107 at the now named Willow Park stadium.

Former West Bromwich Albion and Boston United winger Dean Nicholson is Stan’s manager and he had a short spell at Borough Park early in the 2007-08 season. Dean featured in fifteen games for the Reds including the FA Cup tie at Bury. In more recent years he played for several Northern League clubs including Jarrow Roofing and Hebburn Town.

Other tenuous links with Stan are that goalkeeper Lewis Brass made one appearance for Reds in Conference North back in 2013 and Richie Slaughter spent a trial period with us in the summer of 2007!

Darren Edmondson confirmed that several members of the squad wouldn’t travel to the north east but was hoping to go strong with those who are available. After the game on Saturday, there will be just two fixtures (Whitehaven away and Carlisle United at home) remaining before the League opener in a fortnight.

Kick-off: 2pm

Venue: The Willow Park, Newton Road, High Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Post code: NE7 7HP

Mileage: 97

There is no spectator parking inside the ground.

If travelling by train, it would be the Metro from the city centre to either South Gosforth, Longbenton or Four Lane Ends, all of which are about a twenty minute walk to High Heaton.