Substitutes star as Under-23s lift the Terry May Trophy

Match Report: Redcar Athletic Under-23s 3-0 Redcar CF

Mark Hathaway

Redcar Athletic Under-23s coach

An excellent second-half performance ensured that Redcar Athletic Under-23s lifted the Terry May Trophy.

In what was a very tight first half, chances were at a premium.

Athletic had the first chance on four minutes, but a shot from Kian Brodie drew a routine save from the Redcar CF ‘keeper.

At the other end, an unmarked Matty Earl had a chance, but shot narrowly wide.

On 12 minutes, Jack Williams and Lewis Barwick combined, with the former drawing a good save.

Five minutes later, a 30 yard free kick from Ste Sullivan was comfortably saved by the CF ‘keeper.

Ste Sullivan had another chance on 24 minutes when Charlie Longster played a neat through ball, but the keeper was out quickly to smother the shot.

It was Ste Sullivan again who tested the ‘keeper on 36 minutes, following a Jack Williams through ball, but the ‘keeper parried away the fierce shot.

The CF ‘keeper was by far the busier of the two, saving superbly from David Bradley on 43 minutes.

The second half started superbly for the Under-23s.

Half-time substitute Jamie Hill received the ball from Kian Brodie, looked up, saw the ‘keeper off his line, and fired a sublime 30-yard effort that hit the underside of the bar and went in.

It was nearly 2-0 on 51 minutes, when a deep corner from Jamie Hill found Marshall Blackburn, who headed just wide.

There was a key moment on 57 minutes when CF had a chance to equalise, but keeper Emrah Isik made a fine save at the near post.

It was 2-0 on 68 minutes when Cam Thomson, just on as a substitute, combined with Kian Brodie to set up David Bradley, who controlled the ball, beat his marker and finished into the far corner.

It was game over on 80 minutes with a route one goal.

Emrah Isik collected a Redcar CF free kick and launched the ball forward, where Cam Thomson fired a half volley from 25 yards which flew over the ‘keeper and into the net.

With a couple of minutes left on the clock, Emrah Isik made another great save to maintain his clean sheet as the Under-23s ran out winners.