Match Report: Redcar Athletic 2-2 Consett AFC

Our first draw of the season, and it was in a match we really should have won.

Our last meeting with Consett saw us just about escape with all three points as the other Steelmen pushed us to our limits, where we narrowly won 3-2

This time around, at the Hollou, they once again mounted a comeback, and were able to leave with a point as well.

Incredibly blustery conditions were the precedent for a frustrating game, but it didn’t start with frustrations, as early on we looked to be in great form, with Louis Johnson nearly getting an early shot off for us.

Moments after that, and another great opportunity was formed as Curtis Round got a ball into the box from the left wing that skimmed across the face of goal, narrowly missing Adam Boyes on its journey, before coming back out the other side where it was ultimately cleared away by Consett.

Rio May and Oscar Fletcher both had attempts on goal as the minutes ticked on, with both having strikes on goal that were stopped by Consett’s goalkeeper.

We had no issue making these chances, but finishing them seemed to be a different matter.

However, we did get the breakthrough in the end, with Louis Johnson bagging our opener in the 31st minute, as he received a pass from Owen Burns and proceeded to turn and shoot, putting the ball high past the keeper and into the net.

That goal looked to put us in a new gear, as we pushed even more for another goal.

Those efforts paid off with Bradley Fewster getting a 2nd goal for Redcar in the 41st minute.

A pearl of a cross was whipped into the box by Louis Johnson, and Fewster barely had to move as he powered a header past the keeper and into the net, doubling our lead on the day.

That goal ultimately was the last real bit of action, with Consett not offering much offensively in the opening 45 minutes, meaning we entered the break 2-0 up.

The second half saw 2 changes. First, was the introduction of Danni Lay, with Nathan Guru coming off the pitch in his place

The second change saw the Steelmen swap ends, which meant we were now shooting with the wind, a change that should have been more beneficial

However, it was Consett who got the first goal of the second half, as Mazfari lost the ball to an onrushing Consett attacker who rounded our shot-stopper and squared it across the box to his teammate who had an easy shot into an empty net to halve the visitors’ deficit.

Consett weren’t done here though, and they managed to get an equaliser as Mazfari rushed out his goal to try and stop a fast break, took out Consett’s attacker and ultimately conceded a penalty.

Said penalty was put down the middle, past a diving Mazfari, and it meant Consett had completely erased our lead in just 14 minutes.

Following this, we started to really push for a winner, with many players having shots on goal, but they all ended up being saved, deflected or just missed the goal completely.

Adam Boyes had a few gilded chances, including one where he did put the ball in the net, but that was a dashed hope, with the linesman’s flag already up before he had even shot.

As the half ticked on, it was clear who was pushing for a third goal more, with Consett defending really tightly, whilst we had more players in Consett’s half than our own.

Adam Boyes got what would be the final prime chance as through on goal, he had a low shot blocked by an outstretched leg of the Consett goalie in a completely upgraded performance compared to the first half.

That was just about it for us, though, and it meant the final whistle came with an unfamiliar feeling of leaving a match with just one point.

Our first draw all season, and our first dropped points at home since the 2-0 loss to Emley all the way back in August.

All in all though, we are still clear of 2nd place, and, whilst that lead is down to 7 points, it is also against an Emley side who we have 2 games in hand over.

Still 9 points clear of Matlock as well, so we are nowhere near entering panic mode on what has been a highly successful season for the Steelmen.

Up next is an away trip to Heaton Stannington on Saturday

Hope to see you there, but if you’re unable to make any of them, then there will, as expected, be updates on our X page

Up the Steelmen!