Recap

Redcar Athletic’s Darlington Road struggles lived on as Layton Watts’ double condemned ten men to defeat.

The former Redcar starlet slipped West Auckland Town into the lead on the stroke of half time.

A poorly managed altercation saw Danni Lay given his marching orders, and Layton Watts capitalised to stave off late pressure.

It’s no secret, Redcar Athletic have a track record of misfortune at West Auckland Town’s Darlington Road ground, and this proved no exception.

West edged the opening exchanges in the bitter cold, with Layton Watts as their ringleader. James Harrison forced the first save from Josh Mazfari, Layton soon following suit, slamming his follow-up off the woodwork.

A mistake forged Redcar’s first – and one of few – clear-cut opportunities. Offered space out wide, Callum Guy found Adam Boyes in the centre, but his effort was well blocked by Nick Liversedge.

Boyes again found himself privy to space in the box, fed delightfully by Chay Liddle and this time equipped to beat Liversedge, only not the far post.

A poor challenge from Gary Brown on Callum Guy raised some eyebrows, worthy of just a booking in many eyes, but certainly questioned by some in red.

It wouldn’t be long before Layton Watts finally struck a dagger to the heart of his former employer, poking home across goal to see West Auckland ahead come the break.

His efforts wouldn’t stop there. Layton opened the second period with a delightful dead ball attempt – denied in equally spectacular fashion by Josh Mazfari – soon freeing James Harrison to no avail.

Harrison was again denied a goal of his own, this time by Mazfari, before Redcar seemed to gain an edge in the contest through the introduction of Bradley Fewster.

The forward’s finessed attempt forced a rare stop from Nick Liversedge – Callum Guy’s follow-up also denied – before he rose to nod Curtis Round’s deep delivery wide of the mark.

A rather innocuous free-kick soon had the power the change the complexion of the contest’s final act.

West substitute Luke Bailey held on to the ball after fouling Oscar Fletcher, shielding it on the ground with little intervention until Danni Lay stepped in, a second yellow card shown for his troubles.

Bradley Fewster forced one last stop from Nick Liversedge as the power shifted back in the hosts’ favour, a late breakaway offering Layton Watts the chance he so desperately desired to hurt Redcar again.

Steelmen: to follow

Next Match: to follow