Hebburn Town 2-4 Heaton Stannington | International Club Friendly | 8 July 2026

Heaton Stannington earned a hard-fought 4-2 victory over local rivals Hebburn Town in a lively pre-season friendly that showcased plenty of attacking intent from both sides. The match, played at Hebburn’s Shaftsbury Avenue ground, saw the visitors edge a seven-goal thriller with a composed second-half display.

Match Overview

Both teams entered this friendly as part of their preparations for the upcoming Northern League season. Heaton Stannington, who compete in Division One, started brightly and took an early lead, but Hebburn responded with two quick goals to turn the game on its head before the interval. The visitors rallied after the break, scoring three unanswered goals to seal an impressive win.

Key Moments

• Fast start for Heaton: The visitors struck first inside five minutes when a corner was headed home at the back post.
• Hebburn fightback: The home side equalised through a well-taken finish from the edge of the box, then took the lead ten minutes later with a penalty after a clumsy challenge.
• Second-half turnaround: Heaton Stannington equalised early in the second half via a deflected shot, then added two more goals – a powerful header and a close-range finish – to make it 4-2 with fifteen minutes remaining.
• Late pressure: Hebburn pushed forward in the closing stages but could not find a way back, hitting the crossbar once.

Tactical Story

Heaton Stannington adjusted their shape at half-time, switching to a more direct approach that bypassed Hebburn’s midfield press. The visitors’ wide players stretched the home defence, creating space for runs from deep. Hebburn, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter but tired in the latter stages, allowing Heaton to dominate possession and territory.

Standout Players

Heaton Stannington’s centre-forward led the line superbly, scoring twice and holding up play effectively. The visitors’ left-back also stood out, providing the assist for the winning goal. For Hebburn, the central midfielder showed energy and quality, scoring one goal and earning the penalty for the second.

Season Impact

Both sides will take positives from the contest. Heaton Stannington’s resilience and tactical flexibility will encourage their manager ahead of the league season, while Hebburn Town can point to a promising first-half performance that suggests they will be competitive in Division Two. The friendly served as a valuable test for both squads, with several trialists also featuring.