Recap

The ten-men of Redcar Athletic ground out a dramatic victory in difficult conditions at Birtley Town’s Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium.

Goals from Adam Boyes and Oscar Fletcher had the Steelmen on track for another routine afternoon, soon paled into uncertainty when Mark Anderson saw red.

Scott Heslop pulled one back as the Hoops threatened a comeback, their hopes dashed in the dying embers when Curtis Round fired home.

Back at the helm after a short stint away, Carl Jarrett was forced to make two changes to the side which beat Marske United in midweek.

Bryan Taylor and Priestley Griffiths both missed out through injury, as Curtis Round and Joe Taylor were given the nod in their absence.

It was business as usual for the Steelmen in tough conditions. The heavy pitch underfoot took nothing away from the slick football of late, and Bradley Fewster was denied by Alfie Gordon within minutes.

Adam Boyes again pulled the strings in attack, feeding Mark Anderson on the edge of the area, who skewed his volley wide.

Oscar Fletcher soon pulled the ball back from the byline to give the forward a chance of his own at the near post, and one he just simply couldn’t miss.

It looked as if the Steelmen were on track for another hatful when Mark Anderson slipped the play through to Fletcher, the midfielder finishing across goal for a quick second with barely twenty minutes played.

A brace should have been on the cards when Adam Boyes found Oscar Fletcher unmarked in the centre, Alfie Gordon stunning the home crowd with a sensational recovery to keep him at bay.

It wasn’t until the half hour when Redcar’s momentum finally stalled. A foul on Mark Anderson stirred a reaction, and the midfielder was given his marching orders.

Even with ten-men, the Steelmen looked the more dangerous at the break. Gordon again took the plaudits with a diving stop to tip Bradley Fewster’s effort behind.

Play was much more convoluted in the second period. The turf had cut up underfoot, and with a man advantage, Birtley sought a way back into the contest.

Their slim thread of hope came through Scott Heslop on the hour. The forward beat Josh Mazfari to a well-weighted long ball, and there was only to be one outcome.

Tensions were high in the pursuing minutes. Redcar could ill-afford to drop points with results elsewhere and fought likewise.

Playing on the counter, Bradley Fewster was denied by the outstretched leg of Alfie Gordon, Joe Taylor soon to drag his effort wide.

Too much physical contact at a corner saw Danni Lay’s header chalked off, all the while Birtley’s time on the ball creeped up, but with Josh Mazfari only once tested.

As the contest neared a nail-biting end, Adam Boyes recycled play from a spurned effort, and Curtis Round arrived on the scene to loop the ball over a forlorn Alfie Gordon for much-needed security.

A tough pitch, driving rain, a red card and four goals. Proper Northern League football.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Round, Liddle, Lay, Gott, Anderson (sent off 33’), Joe Taylor, Boyes (Stott 90’), Fletcher, Fewster (Cann 81’)

Goal Scorers: Adam Boyes (19’), Oscar Fletcher (23’), Curtis Round (85’)

Next Match: West Allotment Celtic (h) | Tuesday 12 February 2025