Recap

Redcar Athletic took a big step towards the Northern League title as a hat-trick from Adam Boyes toppled Newcastle Blue Star under the Scotswood sun.

The forward dispatched his well-taken treble in front of a sizeable travelling contingent to put the Steelmen in pole position with two games to go.

Dan Lanning snatched a late consolation from the spot, but Redcar remained otherwise untroubled throughout.

A beautiful afternoon at the KD Stadium brought two changes for Redcar Athletic.

Bradley Fewster made the cut following his early departure in Seaham, whilst Priestley Griffiths was replaced by Joe Taylor. Chay Liddle returned to complete the midfield.

Redcar were ahead with just twelve minutes on the clock. Oscar Fletcher slipped the ball through to a tireless Adam Boyes, who made no mistake with his low finish.

The forward offered Newcastle Blue Star little to no room to breathe at the back, twice gifting Bradley Fewster a chance from midfield, each fired high and wide.

Blue Star shot-stopper Dan Lister reacted well when Joe Taylor sought the stanchion from a dead ball, his opposite number called into action just the once as Paul Dudgeon nudged a cross into his grasp.

A determined wall spared Lister’s blushes after a rarely punished back pass. Craig Gott took his time to take the kick, and Mark Anderson’s effort was deflected behind.

The restart of play followed much the same pattern as the first. A long ball from Mark Anderson found the feet of Adam Boyes, and a repeat of his first goal put the game all but beyond doubt.

Boyes netted his treble shortly after the hour mark, keeping his composure in the area to shake off two defenders and send Dan Lister the wrong way.

Blue Star roared back as the clock ticked down. Micheal Ndiweni fired high with a speculative volley, before an unfortunate bounce struck Craig Gott’s hand, and Dan Lanning converted from the spot.

Their resurgence more or less stopped there, in part due to a gargantuan defensive effort championed by Chay Liddle from midfield.

The equally impressive Joe Taylor had one last attempt to add to the tally, lashing his effort wide of the mark in front of the truly rapturous travelling Steelmen.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Round, Liddle, Gott, Lay, Anderson (Stott 83’), Joe Taylor, Boyes, Fewster (Cann 41’), Fletcher

Goal Scorer: Adam Boyes (12’, 51’, 65’)

Next Match: Blyth Town (h) | Saturday 12 April 2025