Recap

Shildon’s Billy Greulich-Smith dealt the ten-men of Redcar Athletic a cruel blow at the death in a third successive Northern League defeat.

The forward headed home the lone goal of the game deep into stoppage time to snatch the spoils for the Railwaymen.

Redcar fared admirably at a man disadvantage for most of play, as Danni Lay was again condemned to an early shower for a second bookable offence.

Despite the result – and the dismissal – the Steelmen arguably saw the better of what proved a rather tight affair.

A loose ball presented Mark Anderson the first opportunity of the afternoon, one curled but an inch too high of Andrew Jennison’s crossbar.

Adam Boyes returned to the eleven as one of four changes Carl Jarrett made from Tuesday’s success, almost making his mark when he turned Joe Taylor’s cross wide at the front post.

The fullback created again in no time, delivering deep into the box for Bradley Fewster, who nodded wide.

Shildon’s first chance was perhaps the best of a limited bunch before the break. Luke Spalding was gifted possession with just Josh Mazfari to beat, but lifted his effort perhaps too high for Rugby posts.

A penalty appeal in the wind, Oscar Fletcher danced into the area and laid on for Bradley Fewster, this time unable to meet his cross at full stretch.

Redcar’s chances of making sustained pressure count suffered a severe setback as play resumed.

Booked for a harsh challenge in the first half, dissent saw Danni Lay dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Still, the Steelmen continued undeterred. Mark Anderson twice found Nathan Guru from the corner flag, twice gathered at the second attempt by Andrew Jennison.

Bradley Fewster drove Redcar up the field on a mission to go alone, Jennison again equal to his unconvincing attempt.

Time ticking down, Redcar looked to have seen the match to a rather underwhelming, but still impressive end when a rare set piece was dispatched by Billy Greulich-Smith.

The forward lost his marker to beat Josh Mazfari to a looping ball, nodding past the shot-stopper with almost the last kick of the game to condemn the Steelmen to a third successive Northern League defeat.

Steelmen: Mazfari, J.Taylor, Round, Griffiths, Guru, Lay (sent off 49’), Guy (Blackford 90’), Fletcher, Boyes, Fewster (Stott 73’), Anderson (Liddle 73’)

Next Match: Newcastle University (h) | Tuesday 3 December 2024