The Stan show their class to claim cup win

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIM ROUND

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DEAN Nicholson was “delighted” to see his Heaton Stannington side edge past Whitley Bay to earn their spot in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.

A mammoth crowd of 786 watched as Dale Pearson, nine minutes into his competitive debut for The Stan, capitalised on a defensive mix-up before lofting over Mauro Asikaogu in the home goal in what proved to be the decisive moment.

In what was the curtain raiser of the season for the Northern Premier League East outfit, Nicholson’s men showed their class from the first whistle.

“We knew it was going to be a really, really tough game,” said Stan manager Nicholson after the game.

“Whitley Bay are a really good side, they've obviously had two competitive games already, so it was hard. But the lads dug in, obviously the weather didn’t help. It’s boiling hot. The lads have dug in and got the result, and all that matters at the end of the day is that we’re in the hat, so delighted.”

Newcastle Blue Star manager Marc Nash enjoyed a successful return to former club North Shields as his side secured a 2-0 win against the ten-man Robins.