Match Preview: Northallerton Town (h)

We took a look at Northallerton Town in our latest Match Preview.

It’s Friday night football at the B&D Interiors Stadium this evening, as Redcar Athletic host Northallerton Town with much on the line.

The Steelmen sit just three points clear at the top of the table following Shildon’s midweek victory over Crook Town, and nothing less than three points shall suffice.

WHO ARE YA?

Northallerton Town

Formed in 1881 as Northallerton Football Club, Town – as we know them today – have competed under a multitude of names, including Northallerton Central, and Northallerton Alliance.

The club bounced around local leagues for the majority of their existence, before finally settling in the second division of the Northern League in 1982.

Northallerton’s first Northern League outing took them to Ryhope CA (now known as Sunderland RCA), where they suffered a 4-1 defeat, before gaining their revenge a week later in the reverse fixture.

In the late 1990s, financial insolvency proved a very real threat to the football club, and the risk of liquidation loomed.

Just days away from folding, when matters looked to be worsening for the black and whites, a local businessman stepped in to restore hope to the club, and keep them fighting into the modern era, and Northern League Division One.

CURRENT FORM

Northallerton Town are not perhaps the team the league table would suggest are travelling to the B&D Interiors Stadium this evening.

Besides the fact our own encounters are often tight and hard-fought, Northallerton come to Redcar looking to continue a streak of away wins, including against our shared local rivals, Guisborough Town.

The black and whites last scored victory over Whickham, winning by two-goals-to-nil at the weekend.

Redcar Athletic relinquished their winning streak last weekend, albeit for a point against local and title rivals, Boro Rangers.

Oscar Fletcher netted to give the Steelmen the lead, but Stuart Rose restored parity late in the second half.

The league’s top-scorer is only the second player to score against Redcar Athletic since the turn of the year.

FIXTURES

See the full fixture list.

PREVIOUS HISTORY

Redcar and Northallerton share a history of hard-fought games, no matter where each side presents in the league table.

One such example came at the start of last season, when goals from Liam O’Sullivan and Matthew Tymon made for a 2-2 draw.

The Steelmen lead for the majority of the evening, but when Tymon netted in the 101st minute, it was to snatch a point back from the jaws of defeat.

REDCAR ATHLETIC 2-2 NORTHALLERTON TOWN

Click below to read our report.

TEAM NEWS

There’s almost a full squad to pick from for Carl Jarrett this evening, as the boss confirmed returns for both Kevin Burgess and Mark Anderson.

Burgess has been on the bench for a number of weeks, but is now back to full fitness for the visit of Northallerton Town, whilst Mark Anderson is back from suspension.