Match Report: Bishop Auckland 4-3 Redcar Athletic

Frustration was at the forefront as we fell to a 4-3 defeat at the Vest Construction Stadium

As the Redcar fans streamed into the ground, there was a sense of cautious optimism from both those on and off the pitch, especially as this was our first match since the 10-1 victory against Silsden.

That optimism was rewarded as early on Redcar hammered away at the Bishop Auckland goal, manned by Jack Norton, a keeper who just that day had been announced by the club, having come out of retirement.

He was promptly beaten just six minutes into the game, as a whipped in corner was headed down and lashed into the roof of the net by Oscar Fletcher.

As he wheeled away towards the camera, there were thoughts that maybe this would in fact be a repeat of the Silsden game, with an early goal laying down the foundations of a rout.

Unfortunately for the Steelmen, it wasn’t to be, as in the 24th minute Bishop grabbed an equaliser, as a ball was played through to Blackford for Bishop, and he was able to deftly lift the ball over Mazfari.

The rest of the half consisted of a lot of end to end play, as multiple chances came and went for Redcar, with almost all of them bounding off a defender, or being kept out by Norton.

Just as it looked like the half would end even though, Bishop grabbed the lead. A run down the left wing saw the ball played into the box, and it rolled neatly back for a player in blue to put it into the net.

The half-time whistle came and we trailed. We could have had many, but it seemed like it wasn’t to be.

The second half began with a triple change, as JJ Bartliff, Louis Johnson and Brian Taylor were all brought on, and they immediately paid their dividends as Johnson played a ball through to Adam Boyes, and he was able to score his 50th goal for Redcar Athletic.

Back at 2-2, and prying for another, Bartliff was able to produce a moment of magic as a shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and shot into the top corner to give us the lead.

Whilst the PA called it an own goal, there were very few agreements from the Redcar fans, who are all adamant it should be credited as a Bartliff goal.

10 minutes on from our 2nd and 3rd goals though, Bishop won and promptly converted a penalty, sending their fans into raptures, and minutes later they got a 4th as a wide free kick was whipped in and headed past Mazfari.

The rest of the game saw Redcar try and get another equaliser, but Norton was continuously able to parry the ball away from the goal.

In the end, the last great chance fell to Bishop, as a ball played across the box was somehow slammed against the crossbar from just a few yards.

The game could have ended 6-3, 5-5 or any other high tally scoreline you could imagine.

But in the end, it finished 4-3 to Bishop Auckland. We move on however, and on Saturday we face Hallam at home, as our FanZone also opens, with live music after the match at 5pm, and ex-Middlesbrough player Craig Hignett speaking before it at 2pm.

Hope to see you there.