Recap

Redcar Athletic’s near-infallible home form showed no let up in the face of a well-organised Newcastle Blue Star.

The travelling Tynesiders caused more problems than most on the hallowed turf of Green Lane, but still trailed come the half to goals from Oscar Fletcher and Bradley Fewster.

Dan Lanning snatched one back at the restart, as Blue Star’s hopes were ultimately crushed by a thunderbolt from Callum Guy, and a late break in disciplinary.

Five days on from a historic Isuzu FA Vase victory, Carl Jarrett made two changes to his eleven. Kevin Burgess returned from injury to captain the side, as Callum Guy replaced Joe Taylor in midfield.

Just like déjà vu, Redcar started by far the better on the comfort of home soil.

Oscar Fletcher beat his man to the byline, Adam Boyes and Brad Fewster denied by frantic defending, as Chay Liddle arrived to see his pile-driver tipped over the bar.

Blue Star gradually worked a foothold in the contest, Josh Mazfari soon tested by Dan Lanning, albeit with little fuss.

Connor McLeod rose to nod wide of the far post, his frustration mirroring that of a climbing Oscar Fletcher just minutes earlier.

Lanning again forced Mazfari to work to smother his low effort, Brad Fewster left disappointed as his flashing effort across goal nicked the woodwork.

A vicious effort from Mark Anderson promoted a flying stop from Dan Lister, the shot-stopper tipping the ball into the path of Oscar Fletcher, who obliged to break the deadlock.

Blue Star were given no time to recover before Bradley Fewster tucked home another loose ball – again a deflected effort from Mark Anderson – this time forced in off the far post.

In a crucial intervention, Adam Boyes was denied a decisive third on the goalline, Dan Lanning’s deflected finish in the opening exchanges of the second half thus a concern for the Steelmen.

Admittedly, it would remain such a concern for all of five minutes, Callum Guy on hand to rifle the ball into the roof of the net and restore the two-goal cushion.

A chance at a fourth came from the spot after a scramble in the box, Bradley Fewster with the ball in hand before some deliberation saw the decision overturned for an offside.

Redcar continued to make inroads, nonetheless. Adam Boyes flashed the ball across the box, Fletcher first to it with the goal gaping, but denied by a sensational intervention from Dan Lister.

As the minutes ticked down, Blue Star’s frustration was plain to see.

In the last action of the evening, a double helping of dissent saw Sean Reid sent for an earlier shower, a poor end to a fantastic advert for Northern League football.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Round, Liddle, Burgess (J.Taylor 73’), Lay, Guy, Anderson, Boyes, Fewster (Blackford 88’), Fletcher

Goal Scorers: Oscar Fletcher (31’), Bradley Fewster (34’), Callum Guy (50’)

Next Match: Easington Colliery (h) | Friday 1 November 2024