Match Reaction: Redcar Athletic 1-0 Seaham Red Star

Carl Jarrett offered his thoughts on a return to winning ways at Green Lane.

The Redcar boss praised a second half reaction from the Steelmen, as captain Kevin Burgess marked his return from suspension with the decisive goal.

Burgess missed three matches following his dismissal for violent conduct in a 2-1 win over Whickham, restored to the mantle of captain on Friday night, and to some effect.

Picked out by Dale Hopson, the central defender floored shot-stopper Andrew Jennison with tidy footwork, rolling the ball into an open net to seal a richly deserved three points.

CARL JARRETT

The Redcar boss admitted he was thrilled with the result, particularly in such harsh conditions, offering a special mention for his returning skipper.

The lads have had to work hard for that one. Especially in the second half.

Conditions were terrible again, with the wind.

They’ve put up a great fight, Seaham, to be fair to them. We knew it was going to be a hard game, just like it was in the away leg. ‘Colly’ always has them set out that way.

I didn’t think we were brilliant in the first half. I thought we gave the ball away too many times. Our quality lacked, especially with the wind.

Sometimes it’s quite hard playing with the wind, as well as against it. But I just didn’t think we were good enough.

We had a few harsh words at half time, and the lads have gone back out there and rolled their sleeves up. They’ve gone and done what I’ve asked, basically.

They put a good shift in in that second half, and Kev (Burgess) has popped up with a great goal.

To be fair, Kev normally scores about ten goals a season from set plays, but we don’t look like we’re going to be scoring many of them at the present minute.

We just had to get that win in the end, really, and like I said, Kev’s slotted it away like a striker.

He had a chance to put it away, and he didn’t, he’s taken the ‘keeper on, and then just let it trickle in.

If ‘Bosh’ had tucked that one away I’d have gone absolutely mad, because he was a mile offside!