Recap

A nine-goal thriller at Ironworks Road saw the Steelmen beaten by a single goal, as league newcomers Tow Law Town secured their first win in the division.

Redcar trailed at the break, with Farrington and Walker’s fight back goals cancelled out by a sensational stoppage time volley from the hosts. Rowbotham and Coleman twice pulled Athletic level in the second period, with the Lawyers regaining the lead within minutes on both occasions, leaving the Steelmen gutted on a cold, drizzly evening in County Durham.

The first chances of the game fell Redcar’s way, with Clarkson seeing his low effort blocked by Orton in the Lawyer’s net, before Coleman fired over the bar from range moments later.

In the 9th minute, the hosts took the lead with their first opportunity at goal, striker Andrei Ardelean finding the roof of the net to beat Bateman from the edge of the area.

The forward doubled his tally shortly before the half hour mark, pouncing on a loose ball in the centre of the box to earn himself a brace.

After losing control of the contest completely, the Steelmen managed to pull themselves level out of almost nowhere moments before the break.

Farrington found the net first, unleashing a strike from outside the area which breached Orton, flying into the bottom right corner to halve the deficit in the 37th minute.

To no surprise, it was Isaac Walker who then drew the sides level 4 minutes later, turning the ball home at the front post after it was flashed across the six-yard box by Sonni Coleman, increasing his tally to three for the season.

Looking set to be all square at the break, the hosts found the net with the last kick of the half to regain their advantage, David Parker producing a speculative effort on the volley from 40 yards, dipping into the top left corner to leave a sprawling Matty Bateman with no chance.

The Steelmen started the second half on the front foot, with Donny Holdsworth forcing Orton into a low block, before Rowbotham’s headed effort from a corner looped over the shot-stopper to draw Redcar level at 3-all.

Tow Law wasted no time in regaining the lead once more, Ardelean beating Matty Bateman from a tight angle to wrap up his hat-trick less than a minute after the equaliser at the other end.

Steve Connolly made five changes to look to bring his side back into the contest, introducing new signings Connor Prest and Elliot Duff for their competitive debuts for Redcar, whilst giving the Conway brothers a chance to impress up top, attempting to add another creative spark to give his side a chance.

Finally, the Steelmen found that chance to draw level as Sonni Coleman streaked away through on goal, poking the ball below Orton to tie the game with just three minutes to go.

Redcar’s joy would soon be dashed, however, with Tow Law striking a late stoppage time sucker-punch to take the lead for the fourth time, forcing Steve Connolly’s side to face a gutting first defeat in their second Northern League match of the new season.

Attendance: 127.

Redcar Goal Scorers:  Lee Farrington (38), Isaac Walker (41), Joshua Rowbotham (55), Sonni Coleman (90).