Match Report: Redcar Athletic 0-2 Emley

Redcar Athletic succumbed to a first league defeat of the calendar year – left to rue missed opportunities in a tight battle with play-off chasing Emley.

The visitors were far from superior, but took their chances where the Steelmen could not.

Jack Cowgill and Manasse Malamba gave Emley a two-goal lead at the break, as Redcar huffed to no avail in search of a response.

Injuries once again forced assistant manager Dave McTiernan into a lone change from Wednesday’s Emirates FA Cup success.

Curtis Round returned to the fold in place of an injured John Howard, almost making an instant impact when his deep cross was volleyed wide by Bradley Fewster.

Oscar Fletcher went but an inch away when he took aim from deep in the midfield, soon clattering the bar with a towering header that proved the closest Redcar would come.

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Emley were perhaps in control of proceedings until the break. The Pewits first threatened through Laurence Sorhaindo, before Jack Cowgill turned home from an in-swinging corner.

Adam Boyes looked to even the affair on a quick breakaway, losing out in his battle with Declan Lambton, before Manasse Malamba added a second from outside the box.

The Steelmen created chance after chance in an improved second period, spurred on by the introduction of Louis Johnson with half an hour to go.

Johnson drove at the Pewits’ defence with a newfound optimism, floating an effort over the bar in his only real attempt at goal.

Oscar Fletcher took aim from the midfield once again, watching his effort whistle past the far post, whilst Curtis Round nodded over from Dane Burlace’s corner.

Mark Anderson had one last go from range, beating the crossbar with a wayward effort that brought an end to Redcar’s unbeaten start to life in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East.