Recap

Redcar Athletic restored their ten-point lead at the top of the Northern League with a gritty 2-0 win at the home of play-off chasing Kendal Town.

The Steelmen’s longest trip of the season, it was perhaps anyone’s game before Adam Boyes slammed home a loose ball on the half hour.

The forward turned provider come the restart of play, feeding Curtis Round to put the game to bed with a devastating, low finish.

Finally hit by the suspension of Mark Anderson – and with Priestley Griffiths still sidelined by injury – Carl Jarrett made two changes the the eleven from last Tuesday.

Bryan Taylor returned at left back, freeing Curtis Round to take a forward position, as Joe Taylor and Chay Liddle held down the midfield.

It wasn’t your typical Redcar performance of late. Kendal perhaps dominated possession and forced the Steelmen to work to keep them at bay.

Tom Kilfin looked to build on his brace against West Allotment Celtic with an early opportunity, Josh Mazfari quick to drop to ground and stifle his low drive.

The shot-stopper again reacted to deny Mathew Dudley in the area, Niall Cowperthwaite’s effort from a dead ball soon slammed against the wall.

It was Mazfari’s efforts which first weaved an opening for Redcar, great skill keeping the ball away from a lurking Steven Yawson, before his long ball was looped into Chris Cheetham’s grasp by Adam Boyes.

The forward wasn’t to be denied a second time, and as play became scrambled in the hosts’ area, he pounced at close range to fire past Cheetham.

With Kendal perhaps shading the first half, albeit behind, the restart of play was incredibly important for Redcar Athletic.

Bradley Fewster blazed a loose ball over Chris Cheetham’s crossbar, before Adam Boyes’ carefully weighted through ball was neatly tucked away by Curtis Round.

The hosts’ showed no let up, James Bailey rising to nod wide of the mark, whilst Ryan Winder drew another low stop from the brick wall that is Josh Mazfari.

Danni Lay climbed the highest to meet Craig Gott’s corner delivery, Chris Cheetham echoing Mazfari’s diving saves with one of his own.

Kendal Town’s faithful crowd were soon rewarded with what they thought was a lifeline, Steven Yawson breaking through the lines to tuck home a deserved goal, but caught ten yards offside.

Mathew Dudley found himself on the end of a deep cross to cause one last problem for a watertight defence, Josh Mazfari sprawling rather sensationally to tip his effort behind.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Bryan Taylor, Liddle, Gott, Lay, Fewster (Guy 90’), Joe Taylor, Boyes, Fletcher, Round

Goal Scorers: Adam Boyes (30’), Curtis Round (49’)

Next Match: Tow Law Town (h) | Saturday 22 February 2025