Recap

Redcar Athletic soared back to the top of the pile with a commanding three-goal victory over Seaham Red Star on the comfort of home soil.

Cursed by the same lack of inspiration as Saturday’s trip to Guisborough, a tactical shift come the interval brought with it a brighter turn of play.

Nathan Guru poked home the first, a delightful finish from Joe Taylor providing much needed security, as Oscar Fletcher’s deflected effort wrapped up an enjoyable evening’s work on the Redcar seafront.

A lone change from Carl Jarrett set the eleven to venture into the sporadic showers and high winds of Green Lane, Craig Gott in from the start for his first competitive appearance since injury.

Adam Boyes forced to the sidelines, Oscar Fletcher enjoyed the license of a more advanced role, testing the grasp of Seaham’s Andrew Jennison inside the opening exchanges.

Joe Taylor thought to have slotted the Steelmen in front, latching on to an incisive pass from Bradley Fewster, but caught offside with his premature run.

The midfielder soon dragged wide of the target, Liam Wright rising highest in a rare moment of defensive panic, causing no trouble for Josh Mazfari with a wayward effort.

Nathan Guru repeated such a feat as the second half of play rolled around, Danni Lay moved up top in a bold formational change, cushioning the ball into the path of Bradley Fewster, who fired wide.

An in-swinging corner from Craig Gott soon caused carnage in the mouth of Andrew Jennison’s goal.

The shot-stopper thumped the ball off his own woodwork, Nathan Guru seemingly turning the ball over the line, before Oscar Fletcher pounced to wheel away in celebration and take the plaudits.

Danni Lay’s move to the attack proved a huge success for Carl Jarrett, the centre half flicking on towards Bradley Fewster to head wide, nodding just over the bar himself from Craig Gott’s delivery.

Gott soon brought a theatrical stop out of Andrew Jennison with a vicious drive from the midfield, Olly Cann called into action on a quick break to dispossess Seaham substitute Arran Wearmouth.

An incisive pass from defender-turned-target-man Danni Lay soon reaped a just reward, Joe Taylor this time onside, and again devastating with his low finish.

Olly Cann laid on towards the edge of the box to Oscar Fletcher for three, the midfielder’s effort deflected beyond the grasp of a dumbfounded Andrew Jennison, and trickling merrily towards the far bottom corner.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Risbrough (Bennett 86’), Liddle (Anderson 69’), Burgess (Thomson 83’), Lay, Cann, Gott (Blackford 83’), Fewster, Fletcher, J.Taylor

Goal Scorers: Nathan Guru (58’), Joe Taylor (81’), Oscar Fletcher (90+3’)

Next Match: Blyth Town (a) | Saturday 31 August 2024