Recap

A below-par Redcar Athletic twice rallied from behind to salvage a point against Birtley Town, the first blot on an otherwise flawless home record.

First stunned by a delicate lob from Benjamin Shodeinde, a spectacular strike from Mark Anderson restored parity come the half.

A defensive mistake saw Mathew Ward forge Birtley Town back ahead, Bradley Fewster on target from the penalty spot to see the spoils shared after ninety minutes.

Low on personnel, the return of Danni Lay made for a lone change to the eleven, the popular defender restored at the expense of a rested Oscar Fletcher.

For Birtley Town, Benjamin Shodeinde started in attack for his competitive debut, stunning the Steelmen inside ten minutes with a well-taken lob.

Efforts to provide a quick response proved futile, as Mark Anderson was twice denied.

Alfie Gordon scuppered his first attempt, a wicked deflection taking the second agonisingly close to the near stanchion.

A desperate lunge saw Adam Boyes deterred, Gordon again on hand to rescue the Hoops as Jack Blackford let fly from the flank.

Redcar’s moment of magic came through none other than Mark Anderson, and more or less from nothing.

The midfielder produced a stunner from deep, his effort bound for the far top corner the instant it left his boot, and ironically the last kick of the half.

Play continued in much the same vein upon its resumption, the Steelmen on top, but only in terms of creativity.

A dangerous delivery from Curtis Round offered up a gilt-edged chance, Chay Liddle the man to turn it high of the mark.

Brad Fewster soon whisked the ball from the feet of Joe Taylor, turning with his back to goal only to bend an effort of his own wide.

Blunt in front of goal, and not exactly authoritative in possession, a blistering counter caught Redcar half-asleep. Mathew Ward pulled the trigger from the edge of the area, his effort squeezed through the grasp of Josh Mazfari.

A sliding intervention from Kevin Burgess soon kept Benjamin Shodeinde at bay, James Proctor lashing down the throat of Mazfari, but forced to settle for a corner.

The Steelmen’s one chance to draw level came as Alfie Gordon caught Adam Boyes in the area, his clumsy challenge enough for the match official to point to the spot.

Bradley Fewster stepped up to the mark, and despite a far from convincing showing, buried his effort with a minimum of fuss.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Round, Liddle (Fletcher 79’), Burgess, Lay, Blackford, Anderson, Fewster, J.Taylor, Boyes

Goal Scorers: Mark Anderson (45+2’), Bradley Fewster (82’)

Next Match: Boro Rangers (h) | Saturday 28th September 2024