Recap

Redcar Athletic were dealt a first league defeat of the season at the hands of a well-organised North Shields.

The Daren Persson Stadium not the happiest of hunting grounds, recent first half woes were finally punished by an early salvo from Dan Waldon and Will McCamley.

Waldon’s second took matters beyond Redcar’s reach on the hour, a moment of magic from Jack Blackford but a bitter-sweet consolation.

Forced into a pair of changes to the eleven, Carl Jarrett’s men were again slow out of the blocks in a developing trend.

Seconds after Oscar Fletcher let off what could be loosely described as a ‘warning shot,’ Dan Waldon beat the offside trap, Josh Mazfari adept and out quick to meet him.

The Shields’ forward made amends at the second time of asking, glancing home a simple ball across goal from none other than Jordan Lashley.

Waldon’s imperious start continued towards the half hour, Mazfari again beaten by a low drive, this time cast behind off the woodwork.

Lashley’s debut soon took an even better turn, the forward teeing up Will McCamley on the flank, who took the plaudits for a decisive second.

Redcar made some inroads as the break loomed, Bradley Fewster seeing his dig from the midfield scooped up with ease, Oscar Fletcher’s dipping volley much the same.

Such improvements mattered not come the restart of play, as Euan Anderson nodded a deep corner back into the mix for Dan Waldon to poke home.

Jack Blackford replied in a rare glimpse of Athletic’s quality, shown inside from the flank, and picking out the far stanchion in some style.

The Steelmen’s resurgence lasted all but five minutes, North Shields pulling every trick in the book to see time ebb away, and in truth, why wouldn’t they?

Josh Mazfari was again called upon to prevent Dan Waldon lodging a third,  Risbrough and Anderson both booked for stopping blistering breakaways.

Substitute Jack Bennett had Redcar’s last attempt to move within touch, meeting Chay Liddle’s long ball, but unable to direct anywhere other than the gloves of Finlay Hodgson.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Risbrough, Anderson (Bennett 83’), Burgess, Risbrough, Cann, J.Taylor (Liddle 60’), Fewster (Cam Thomson 79’), Blackford, Fletcher

Goal Scorer: Jack Blackford (56’)

Next Match: Penrith (h) | Saturday 7th September 2024