Ferguson and Holdsworth offered valuable minutes in resounding reserves win

Joe Ferguson and Donny Holdsworth took the next step on the road to recovery, featuring in an emphatic Green Lane victory for Steve Simpkin's reserves.

The first team duo have seen an extended period on the sidelines since the back end of last season, but as recovery efforts prove fruitful, their return grows ever closer.

Both were given valuable game time at Green Lane on Wednesday night, as the Steelmen’s reserves swept aside Thirsk Falcons in the midst of Storm Agnes.

Redcar’s top scorer last season, Donny suffered a knee ligament injury on Easter Monday, as the Steelmen were held to a draw against local rivals, Thornaby.

The forward’s stint on Wednesday evening proved his first minutes since that ill-fated afternoon, with his eyes turning towards a first team return in the coming weeks.

Joe Ferguson, on the other hand, has already made a short cameo this season, returning the the field for his second Athletic debut in the dying embers of the Isuzu FA Vase clash with Padiham.

Renowned for his shooting ability, Joe finally marked his return with a goal against Thirsk, whilst twice teeing up a teammate in what proved an emphatic win for Steve Simpkin’s side.

Makafui Johnson joined the former Newton Aycliffe man on the scoresheet, whilst u23 star David Bradley championed the result with another three goal haul.

Bradley has proved a force to be reckoned with for the reserves this season, with five goals to his name, and an unselfish nature, racking up six assists earlier in September in a nine-goal demolition of Northallerton Town’s reserve side.

The forward’s standout performance was only rivalled by that of 15-year-old shot-stopper, Ollie Lee, who kept a clean sheet to put an extra gloss on the evening for Steve Simpkin’s side.