Redcar’s Easington blushes spared in Weekend Round-Up

Our review of the weekend’s action in the Northern League.

Redcar Athletic fell to a first home defeat of the season on Friday evening, a result with the potential to drastically impact the title race.

Undefeated on home soil since April, a brace from Brad Hird snatched the spoils for a spirited Easington Colliery. Still, Redcar’s disappointment would ultimately be spared by a poor weekend for the prevailing pack.

BORO RANGERS

Drew to West Allotment Celtic

Seven points behind the Steelmen at the start of play on Saturday, Boro Rangers welcomed a struggling West Allotment Celtic to the fortress that is Phoenix Park.

Much like on Friday night, the odds were certainly against Celtic, but that was until Owen Mitchell popped up with an opportunistic finish on the hour.

Redcar’s benefit was somewhat depleted by a late equaliser. Steven Keenan spared Boro’s blushes with a smart effort across goal.

Rangers’ late antics closed the gap at the top of the table to six points, but failed to capitalise on a poor weekend for both of the top two.

BLYTH TOWN

Lost to Newcastle Blue Star

Now second in the Division thanks to Boro Rangers’ recent blunders, Blyth Town looked the biggest threat to Redcar Athletic given Friday’s disappointment.

The Northumberland outfit travelled to Scotswood to face Newcastle Blue Star, the opportunity to close the gap to the Steelmen to just a single point in their grasp.

An early goal from Dan Wilson looked to do exactly that, but for an emphatic response from Blue Star.

A quick equaliser from Paul Dudgeon paved the way for a Sean Reid double. Adam Johnson clawed back some ground for Blyth, only for Luke Heppel to put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time.

Defeat for Blyth Town leaves the gap at the top of the table as it was come the start of play on Friday evening, four points and a game in hand in favour of Redcar Athletic.

The Playoff Pack

Wins for Kendal Town and Newcastle Blue Star

Elsewhere in the fight for promotion, Marske United and Guisborough Town locked horns in an eagerly anticipated Teesside derby.

Kurtis Howes smartly offered the advantage to the travelling Priorymen, a late pen dispatched by McCorrie Carmichael to see the honours shared evenly.

Kendal Town continued their charge up the table following a poor start – somewhat influenced by Redcar’s emphatic triumph on opening day.

The Mintcakes snuck into the playoffs with a convincing victory over Whickham, the Steelmen’s Isuzu FA Vase opponents left reeling a week before the big game.

The top five was rounded out of course by Newcastle Blue Star, whose 4-2 victory over Blyth Town closed the gap to seven points between the two sides.

Redcar Athletic end the weekend eleven points clear of the Star, with a fourteen point cushion to Shildon in sixth.