Recap

West Allotment Celtic 1-4 Redcar Athletic

Celtic: Callum Larmouth (15’)

Steelmen: Isaac Walker (7’, 19’), Danny Boyle (12’), Layton Watts (90’)

Redcar Athletic’s hunt for a first league win ended in style, as Isaac Walker’s brace fronted a clinical victory over West Allotment Celtic.

The forward notched his latest double in a dominant opening twenty minutes, only marred by a controversial penalty for the home side.

A sweeping finish from Danny Boyle complimented an all-but perfect first half, before Layton Watts’ late spot kick put the seal on a fourth game unbeaten for Gary Forster’s men.

Resolute from the off in the sweltering heat, this was a match the Steelmen never looked like conceding.

An early foul on Mason McNeill worked the first opening, as Oscar Fletcher’s low free kick caused confusion in a dangerous area, and Isaac Walker capitalised to volley the ball home.

The imperious start of McNeill paved the way for a quick second, as his infield pass found Danny Boyle, whose looping finish nestled beautifully in the far top corner.

To Redcar’s dismay, a disputable penalty call gifted Celtic a route back into the game, which Callum Larmouth dispatched following a short fracas.

West Allotment’s glimmer of hope proved all but faded as the clock hit 20, as Matty Tymon repaid Forster’s faith with a deft cross, and Isaac Walker restored the two-goal cushion with another driven volley.

The former Marske United man had eyes for a goal of his own soon after, lining up a curled effort from deep, which skimmed the top of Gladstone’s crossbar.

A quick drinks break seemed to damage Redcar’s momentum as the half wore on, as Celtic began to work a foothold in the game.

Lucas Lowery-Matondo made himself a nuisance to the Athletic backline, twice forcing a save from Jack Norton, whilst opening up a number of chances which went awry.

The start of the second period brought more broken play to the dry surface, in addition to added drama.

An early flashpoint held the potential to kill the game, as Jack Errington was shown his marching orders for a poor challenge on Joe Thompson.

Redcar almost capitalised on their advantage from the fallback’s in-swinging delivery, which Matty Tymon nodded past Dan Gladstone, only to find the linesman’s flag raised for offside.

The pair linked up again for a gilt-edged chance at number four, as Thompson picked out Tymon in acres of space, but the forward’s unselfish nature lead to a cross too high for an onrushing James Sayer.

The young forward caused a number of problems himself for a struggling Celtic backline, culminating in a shove in the back on the brink of the 90, and a second spot kick of the afternoon.

Substitute Layton Watts stepped up to take the penalty, driving the ball home with some force to wrap up an afternoon of relief for a quickly improving Redcar Athletic.

Attendance: 80

Line-Up: Norton, McNeill, Thompson, Fletcher (Kenney 76’), Guru, Wheatley (O’Sullivan 76’), Walker (Watts 63’), Boyle (Conway 76’), Jarvie (Sayer 63’), Tymon, Bell

Next Match: Crook Town (a) | Wednesday 13th September 2023