Recap

A clinical display in the Newcastle sun, as Redcar Athletic came from behind to see off the ten men of West Allotment Celtic.

Losing Bradley Fewster in a disastrous opening quarter of an hour, goals from Damen Mullen and Alfie Livermore left the Steelmen staring down the barrel of defeat.

Mark Anderson and Adam Boyes drew the contest level from a pair of dead balls, a red card for Celtic’s Ben Gaffney opening the floodgates for Curtis Round and Oscar Fletcher.

A return to league action following Saturday’s tense Emirates FA Cup win, Dave McTiernan made a sole change to the side, restoring Oscar Fletcher at the expense of Jack Blackford.

The young midfielder almost repaid the acting boss’s faith inside the opening passage of play, latching on to a through ball from Bradley Fewster, but drilling his effort wide.

An ambitious attempt from range proved the start of Celtic’s early success, struck against the feet of Damen Mullen, who rolled the ball past a wrong-footed Josh Mazfari.

Matters worsened still in the minutes after, as Bradley Fewster hit the deck off the ball. The Steelmen’s top-scorer was forced off the field of play after just thirteen minutes, replaced by Jack Blackford in a change of formation.

You would have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t to be Redcar’s night, a defensive mistake offering up a chance to Alfie Livermore, who made no mistake with an emphatic finish.

Mark Anderson soon took the plaudits for sparking a fightback, picking his spot beautifully with a curled free kick, dipping over the wall and beyond a forlorn Callum Elliot.

The midfielder almost levelled the contest off his own regard, Elliot sprawling towards his far left corner to tip a stanchion-bound drive behind.

A dramatic scramble in the area offered the evening’s crucial moment, the referee spotting the use of a hand on the goal-line, both pointing to the spot and dismissing Ben Gaffney.

Adam Boyes proved his usual, clinical self from twelve yards, dispatching the penalty with minimal fuss to bring an end to the match as a contest.

A clever move between Jack Blackford and Oscar Fletcher laid the ball on for Curtis Round’s first of the season, the wide-man unmarked in the centre to bring up a halftime lead.

Play resumed after the interval in much the same vein, James Risbrough drawing a strong stop from Callum Elliot, but Adam Boyes lurking to poke home for number four.

The forward soon turned provider for his strike partner, flicking the ball on towards Curtis Round, whose low drive nestled perfectly in the far corner to leave no chance for the Celtic shot-stopper.

It was Curtis Round’s turn to create for number six, Oscar Fletcher meeting his floated, long pass with an exquisite, looping volley, dipping beyond Elliot to make for another four-goal cushion.

His last day an un-married man, James Risbrough enjoyed many a success in attack, the fullback twice denied his deserved addition to the scoresheet by the feet of Callum Elliot.

The Celtic shot-stopper was on his toes again to thwart an attempt from the late addition of Cam Thomson, back to his feet to turn Boyes’ vicious drive behind for a corner.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Cann, Risbrough, Liddle (Burgess 75’), Guru, Lay, Fletcher, Anderson (Watts 70’), Fewster (Blackford 13’), Boyes, Round (Thomson 68’)

Goal Scorers: Mark Anderson (18’), Adam Boyes (24’, 47’), Curtis Round (28’, 65’), Oscar Fletcher (68’)

Next Match: Crook Town (h) | Saturday 10th August 2024