Recap

Redcar Athletic came from behind in a dramatic game-of-the-season contender at Dean Street, Danni Lay on target in the dying embers to snatch all three points.

A fantastic advert for Northern League football, Shildon were the first to edge the tie on the hour mark, as Andrei Ardelean poked home his customary goal.

Joe Taylor entered play from the bench to drive Redcar level from a dead ball, Danni Lay climbing to nod home a theatrical late winner in the depths of stoppage time.

Hurt by a series of unwanted injuries, Carl Jarrett made a pair of changes to the eleven which lost in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.

The boss reintroduced Olly Cann at wing-back – Joe Taylor dropping out in a change of formation – as Bradley Fewster lead the line in his first start since injury.

Not unlike Saturday, the forward snatched at an effort within seconds of play, failing to trouble Shaun Newbrook from the edge of the area.

Curtis Round arrived in a crowded box to poke Fewster’s knock-on wide of the mark, Josh Mazfari soon losing possession at the other end, but well adept to deny Andrei Ardelean with an outstretched leg.

Bradley Fewster’s search to pick up his hot streak of form continued with a dramatic lob, this time inches wide of Newbrook’s goal, Luke Spalding curling wide from a tight angle on the far side.

Shildon captain Jon Weirs freed Ardelean for the hosts’ best effort of a tight first period, Josh Mazfari drawing swathes of applause with a strong hand to keep him out.

Nathan Guru called Shaun Newbrook into action with a vicious low drive, the shot-stopper adept with his own spectacular stop to divert the snap-shot of Bradley Fewster behind for a corner.

The halftime break proved no dampener on the pace of the game, Kevin Burgess rising to nod wide mere seconds from the restart, his effort deflected behind for an unsuccessful corner.

Ben Reay let fly to prompt another fine stop from a stooping Josh Mazfari, James Risbrough teasing the ball across the face of goal on a Redcar counter-charge, with no blue shirt on hand to meet it.

To no surprise, it was Andrei Ardelean who struck Shildon in front come the hour mark, the forward poking home from close range to leave little chance for Josh Mazfari.

In the wake of falling behind, Oscar Fletcher leaped to turn Chay Liddle’s long ball into the grasp of Shan Newbrook, Adam Boyes denied on the follow-up by an outstretched leg.

A cushioned header from Nathan Guru proved too easy for the Shildon shot-stopper, Liddle’s scooped through ball intercepted ahead of a lurking Adam Boyes.

Carl Jarrett had one last trick up his sleeve as play entered its dying embers, Joe Taylor introduced to the field of play to turn a sensational free kick into the far stanchion with his very first touch.

Bradley Fewster met a brick wall on his effort to turn one point into three – Aaron Cunningham between his close-range strike and goal – Nathan Guru denied as Chay Liddle recycled play.

A corner at the very last second offered Redcar one last push for a winner, Kevin Burgess lifting the ball back into a dangerous area, and Danni Lay rising to thump it home to rapturous scenes.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Burgess, Round, Liddle, Lay, Risbrough, Cann (Taylor 80’), Guru, Boyes, Fletcher, Fewster

Goal Scorers: Joe Taylor (82’), Danni Lay (90+4’)

Next Match: Guisborough Town (a) | Saturday 24th August 2024