Recap

Redcar Athletic bowed out of the North Riding Senior Cup at the penultimate hurdle, conceding a spot in the final to a well-drilled Scarborough Athletic.

The Steelmen went toe-to-toe with the National League North outfit for ninety minutes, trailing only to a freak own goal come the half.

Bill Marshall added a second on the stroke of full time.

Four days on from a win over Northallerton Town at the B&D Interiors Stadium, Carl Jarrett made only the one change to the team sheet.

The boss opted for Priestley Griffiths to better secure the midfield; Curtis Round dropped to the bench in his stead.

The Seadogs were certainly fortunate to lead inside six minutes.

Frank Mulhern came close with a glancing effort wide of the mark, before an in-swinging free kick was turned past Josh Mazfari by an unsuspecting defender.

Redcar replied in turn as Danni Lay twisted his body to lash a volleyed effort high of the mark. Adam Boyes found himself on the end of Bryan Taylor’s dipping cross, but to no avail.

Dom Tear came the closest to doubling Scarborough’s lead, driving an effort down the throat of Mazfari, who reacted well to stifle him.

Scarborough shot-stopper Ryan Whitney had his own share of the action. His first involvement came in denying Bradley Fewster from range, before Mark Anderson’s deflected effort earned a corner.

Nathan Guru sought out Adam Boyes in the centre, but the forward lacked a decisive connection on his near acrobatic attempt.

Play was perhaps scrappier when the players emerged into the cold for the second half, and only a poor effort from Richard Bennett prevented a defensive mistake from taking the game beyond reply.

Chay Liddle tried his luck from the midfield as Redcar continued to chip away, Curtis Round twice running in behind following his addition from the bench, but seeing his initiative go unrewarded.

Scarborough worked better chances as the contest neared its end. Frank Mulhern set Alex Wiles through on goal, and only a spectacular stop from Josh Mazfari delayed that decisive goal.

It eventually came five minutes from time when Richard Bennett’s deflected effort struck the post. Bill Marshall reacted the quickest, pouncing to put the seal on Scarborough’s place in the North Riding Senior Cup final.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru, Bryan Taylor, Liddle (Stott 80’), Gott, Lay, Anderson (Guy 80’), Griffiths, Boyes, Fletcher, Fewster (Round 66’)

Next Match: Penrith (a) | Saturday 22 March 2025

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