Defeat in Stockton for understaffed young Steelmen

Match Report: Stockton Penny Black 4-2 Redcar Athletic Under23s

Redcar Athletic Under23s’ winning run in the league came to an end when they were defeated by an excellent Penny Black side.

Missing seven key players, this was always going to be a tough game against a very good side, but Athletic started well.

Written By:

Mark Hathaway

Redcar Athletic Under-23s coach

The Under23s took the lead on three minutes when a neat inside ball from Jacob Spence found Lewis Barwick, who managed to hit a low shot despite slipping and found the corner of the net.

However, the lead didn’t last long and the home side equalised on six minutes when a cross from the left found the prolific Billy Gatenby, who evaded his marker and glanced a header home.

Athletic were playing on the break most of the time and had a chance to retake the lead on 10 minutes when Adil Hanif capitalised on a mistake at the back but his shot was deflected for a corner.

On 19 minutes, a long throw from Lewis Barwick fell to Cam Thomson, who did very well to create a chance for himself, but the Penny Black ‘keeper did superbly to tip the ball around the post.

At the other end, Penny Black clipped the top of the bar with a long range effort before Jack Marshall did brilliantly to clear the ball from just in front of the line.

Just as it looked as if it would go in to half time level, the home side grabbed two goals in two minutes.

From a corner that shouldn’t have been, and despite being closely marked, Billy Gatenby managed to head past Emrah Isik.

Then moments later, a cross field ball was superbly controlled by Corey Mellaneo, who finished neatly.

It could have been 3-2 at the break when Tyler Atkinson made the most of a loose pass at the back from Penny Black, but the home ‘keeper was out quickly to smother the attempt.

The second half was cagey in the opening exchanges with neither side creating any real chances.

However, Athletic did reduce the arrears on 64 minutes when, moments after coming on after an inspired change from manager Dave Marshall, Harry Barnard beat the keeper at the near post, following a pass from fellow sub Jack Charlton.