Recap

Redcar Athletic returned to the top of the Northern League with a scrappy win in difficult conditions at the First Mortgage Glebe Arena.

Whickham certainly made matters difficult for the Steelmen, and come the break, you’d be forgiven for thinking a stalemate was in the offing.

Oscar Fletcher broke the deadlock minutes from the restart, before Adam Boyes towered high to put Redcar’s recent misfortunes to bed with a much-needed three points.

Tasked with a response to a bitter Isuzu FA Vase exit at the weekend, Carl Jarrett made a few alterations to the side.

Cup-tied duo Callum Guy and Jake Stott returned to the eleven alongside Danni Lay, as Bradley Fewster, Mark Anderson and Joe Taylor missed out.

It was the home side who made the better start in the bitter cold and driving rain, Kieran Alpin twice close to an opener inside ten minutes, most notably running beyond Josh Mazfari but striking the woodwork.

Callum Guy first tested Robbie Smith in the Lang Jack’s net, dragging an effort from the edge of the area into his grateful grasp.

A more challenging task came on the half hour in the form of Adam Boyes. Priestley Griffiths’ delicate through ball set the forward away, and only a fingertip save thwarted his low drive.

The best opportunity of the first period came on the stroke of the half. Chay Liddle turned playmaker this time, Jake Stott his target, as the forward failed to hit the mark.

Redcar’s prevailing moment came five minutes from the restart, and unsurprisingly from Oscar Fletcher.

The midfielder enjoyed a return to his natural position, driving into the box late to glance home a delicate low cross from a marauding Curtis Round.

Adam Boyes soon doubled the lead in scrappy fashion, rising highest in the box after somewhat of a scramble to turn home an all important insurance goal.

Whickham threw everything they had at the Steelmen in an attempt to forge a route back into the game, met with stern resistance at every turn.

Jake Stott found himself privy to one last chance to add to the tally, challenging the kick of Robbie Smith to some success, but forced to watch his effort spin wide.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Griffiths, Round, Liddle, Guru, Lay, Guy, Gott, Boyes, Fletcher (Anderson 78’), Stott (Blackford 85’)

Goal Scorers: Oscar Fletcher (52’), Adam Boyes (71’)

Next Match: North Shields (h) | Saturday 21 December 2024