Match Report

By Brian Bennett

A late goal by Oscar Fletcher saw Redcar Athletic maintain top spot in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League and at the same time sink Ashington hearts at Green Lane on Wednesday night.

The Colliers who sit just above the drop zone, gave their all against the Teessiders who have plundered goals all season including a crushing 10-1 home win against Silsden and more recently a 6-2 verdict over Grimsby Borough.

But with only one minute of the 90 remaining, it was ‘The Steelmen’ who took all three points.

Substitute Louis Johnson turned defender Rory Powell and threaded a pass through for Fletcher who fired in a right footer which got the slightest deflection. Ashington stopper Tyler Jones almost kept the ball out but it spun off his hand and went into the back of the net.

The result was cruel on Nick Gray’s side who had gone toe to toe with the hosts in a game where chances – particularly clear cut ones – were at an absolute premium.

In the early stages, a stumble by Scott Lowery led to a shot by Fletcher which was pushed around by Jones then a melee developed in the Ashington goalmouth following a cross from the right with Curtis Round clipping the ball wide.

Ashington’s only opportunity of the period came just past the half hour mark when skipper Karl Ross found Josh Gilchrist but his tame effort was easily held by ‘keeper Josh Mazfari.

Owen Burns and Danni Lay missed out with half chances but Ashington were quite happy to go into the break at 0-0.

Early in the second half, Jay Hornsby flashed the ball across the face of goal then when play switched, a weak shot by Fletcher was held by Jones.

Prolific striker Adam Boyes had a great chance to break the deadlock for the home side in the 76^th minute but blazed the ball over the bar on the half volley.

Ashington had a ten minutes spell of dominance and after Craig Spooner drove the ball over, a cross by Gilchrist was intercepted at the near post by Mazfari.

Fletcher put Redcar in front – but in the last minute of five which were added on, a header by Lowery cleared the bar after the ball had been played in by substitute Ethan Bewley.