Match Report: Redcar Athletic 3-2 FC United of Manchester

One of the most entertaining Steelmen fixtures of recent times took place on Saturday, as a 5-goal clash saw us score late to beat FC United

The first of a bank holiday pair saw FC United travel to Green Lane, with the side looking to pick up a first win of the season.

We, meanwhile, were just a few games away from an insane unbeaten run at home that would span an entire year.

The match started with the visitors on top, though, as Josh Mazfari was called into early action as he tipped an effort over the bar for a corner that was dealt with

Decent chances from us did follow, as a pair of strikes from Luke Spalding were unable to find their way into the net, though United pushed again with Mazfari being called into action twice, with a first save being cleared, and a second seeing him nearly drop the ball to a United attacker, before he was able to get down and smother the ball.

We would take the lead, though, as a Ciaran Banks corner was played into the chaos taking place in the 6-yard box, where it fell to Adam Boyes, who prodded the ball into the net.

The end-to-end drama wouldn’t let up, however, as United would equalise five minutes after, as they pounced on a lapse in concentration, nabbing the ball from the feet of Mazfari, and rolling the ball into the net.

More chances came and went, with the highlight of them seeing another Ciaran Banks corner be flicked on, where it was cleared out of the box, but only to JJ Bartliff, who, positioned on the edge of the area, struck a volley towards goal that was impressively tipped over by United’s keeper.

The half would end level, with the last chance seeing a Luke Spalding ball into the box flash across goal.

The next 45 began with our opponents on the back foot, as Boyes pounced on a loose ball, playing it to Louis Johnson, who saw his shot go wide.

United would also see a man get a booking as he hauled down Bartliff outside the centre circle, and we would amp up the pressure with a pair of changes, as Oscar Fletcher and Nathan Guru came on for Owen Burns and Luke Spalding.

We passed the 70th minute with the same scoreline, with few shots being taken, but a whole load of action still being produced, and we would also bring Andrei Ardelean on for Louis Johnson, along with Curtis Round coming on for Ciaran Banks.

Within a matter of minutes, both those subs would combine to put us ahead, as another corner, this time from Curtis, would float to the back post and be headed into the net by Andrei.

Two goals, both from corners, it was looking like the three points would be ours with just 15 minutes to go.

United would then equalise in the 80th minute.

A lofted ball into the box would cause a bit of chaos, with players falling over themselves, before their substitute striker Adam Le Fondre (Yes, that one) would poke the ball into the net to level the scores.

Chances would start to fade as we approached the end, but the 661 in attendance (Well, the Redcar part of the 661) were rewarded for their appearances, as we would score a late winner.

Another cross, this time from oscar Fetcher, would evade the keeper and half the United defence, before being met by a leaping Adam Boyes who placed a header into the same spot Andrei put his

A late winner, another three points, and more goals for Adam Boyes. What else do you need on a Saturday?

Next up is a trip to Stockton, which, with the game being in less than 24 hours from now, there is a chance you could be reading this after full time

See you there, or somewhere else where the Steelmen will be

Lineups:

Redcar Athletic: Mazfari, Smith, Banks [Round, 73′], Bartliff, Rowe, Lay (C), Johnson [Ardelean, 70′], Hawkins, Boyes, Burns [Fletcher, 58′], Spalding [Guru, 59′]

Unused subs: Fewster

Emley AFC: Atherton, Thomson, Devine, Wisdom, Palnikas, Evans (C) [Ennis, 58′], Grivosti [Snowball, 82′], Sudworth, Pettifer [Le Fondre, 66′], Buckley, Watson [Chimalilo, 71′]

Unused subs: Atkinson