Nicholson stunned as Stan seal cup in shoot-out drama

DEAN Nicholson admitted his Heaton Stannington squad had left him lost for words after they saw off Morpeth Town to lift the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time.

- By MARK CARRUTHERS

The Stan came through tough tests against Whitley Bay, Blyth Town and Newcastle United Under-21s to secure a place in the Senior Cup final for the first time in 45 years - and Nicholson's men made the most of the occasion with a penalty shoot-out win against the Highwaymen at St James’ Park.

Despite creating chances in both halves of a tight contest, neither side were able to score and that meant the Senior Cup Final would be decided by a penalty shoot-out for the first time in 13 years.

Stan keeper Lewis Brass made two saves and the latter from Danny Barlow allowed defender Dan Groves to hit the decisive spot-kick.

Nicholson said: “I'm speechless. We've had a great season, it’s turned into a great season in the end. If someone had told me six months ago this was going to happen I wouldn't have believed them.