The Y&E fell to their first home defeat of the season against high flying Redcar Town ran out 2-1 winners. The first half goals put the visitors in control, with a second half Set Roberts penalty on 78 minutes giving us some hope, but we were unable to get a second.

There was a couple of changes in the Y&E line up, with Jack Dalton out suspended, Ethan Jones and Foz Garton both injured and Josh Marshall injured. Ste Roberts was back on the bench, as was Tom Atkinson who was carrying a slight knock. We lined up with Callum in goal, Leo at right wing back and Sam Conway back after his shoulder injury slotting in as left wing back. We had a central back three of Cam, Ross and Dan Jones. In midfield HST and Hillers, with Pete Bulmer and Joe Dalton playing behind Dylan. On the bench, Ste & Tom were joined by Freddie McBride, Joe Scaiffe Wheatley and Sean Chidanyika.

There was a healthy crowd of 169 in at Bedford Terrace, including mascots from Riverside Juniors U9s. Thanks for coming to the game, we hope you enjoyed it and we’ll see you back at Bedford Terrace again.

The first few minutes were pretty even. Redcar had a spell of early corners which we able to deal with relatively easily. Callum was called in to action early on with a good save from a Carmichael effort from distance. We had our own chance with an HST corner resulting in a fair bit of pinball with shots blocked and eventually cleared by Redcar. The visitors had most of the ball, and our chances were coming form counter attacks and set pieces. We had couple of crosses in to Dylan which resulted in offside flags. We had a real let off on 33 mins with Clark somehow missing from 4 yards after a good move down the Redcar right. The deadlock was broken on 37 mins. A move down the left and a dribble in to our box by Clark who was adjudged to have been fouled when dragging the ball back, the ref blew after Redcar had an effort blocked from his cut back – looked like he was playing advantage. Redcar captain Gott stepped up and slotted the penalty home. Clark had another chance on 40 minutes was he struck and effort wide from a crossed free kick. He was on target on 44 minutes, a break down the right hand side and the ball across the face of the goal which was finished from 2 yards out. Half time 2-0 down. We were second best in that first half, we didn’t have much of the ball and weren’t able to retain possession.

Into the second half and we started unchanged. On 51 mins Jacko made a change, with Dylan being replaced by Joe Scaiffe Wheatley. On 54 minutes Redcar midfield Duffield was in the book for a nasty challenge on Leo who was unable to continue. He was replaced by Freddie with Ste Roberts on for Pete Bulmer. There was few late challenges going in from Redcar, with Ste Roberts on the end of one and HST in full flight driving down the right being taken out by Carmichael who was booked. Freddie was booked a few minutes later for what looked like a soft foul. Sean came on for Hillers on 72 mins. On 78 minutes we were awarded a penalty. Freddie lined up for a trademark McBride long throw from the right hand side. Redcar knew what was coming, but some smart thinking between him and HST saw a short throw in to Titch, he drove forward in to the box and was adjudged to have been fouled. Penalty awarded. Ste stepped up and scored. Back in the game with 12 minutes left. We kept the intensity up and kept pushing for the equaliser but it wouldn’t quite fall for us. There was a couple of half chances, but we couldn’t find that goal. The ref blew up and we had lost 2-1.

In fairness Redcar Town were the better of the two sides. They are a very strong team, plenty of quality throughout their side and you can see why they are top of the league. Good luck to them for the rest of the season.

 

As for the Y&E, the lads put a shift in against a very good side. We were without a fair few players, but the starting XI and subs can be proud of the effort we put in. We were much improved in the second half, and put the visitors under pressure in the last 20 minutes or so, particularly after Ste’s penalty. HST was man of the match, continuing his excellent run of form this season. The celebrations from the Redcar Team at tea final whistle, suggested they knew they had been in a game. No midweek game and next up is Boldon CA at home on Saturday 13th.