Guisborough Town 2-2 Redcar Athletic

Match Report

A full-blooded and entertaining Teesside derby between Guisborough Town and Redcar Athletic ended all-square at 2-2 on Wednesday night in front of the KGV’s biggest crowd of the season – 593.

All four goals came in a see-saw first half played at a frantic pace with Guisborough grabbing an early third minute lead with new signing from Billingham Town Ben Cummins shooting home into the far left corner of the Redcar net.

But the lead last only 10 minutes as Redcar equalised in the 13th minute when winger Isaac Walker cut in from the right and crossed for Liam Jarvie to stab home from virtually on the Guisborough goal-line.

The Priorymen, however, regained the lead on 17 minutes when a cross by skipper Callum Martin was headed away by a Redcar defender but Guisborough striker Ty O’Neill was on hand to lash the ball home into an empty net.

An incident-packed opening first half-hour continued when Redcar equalised again with a controversial 27th minute ‘soft’ penalty when Jarvie went sprawling and Walker stepped up to convert the spot kick straight down the middle.

As the half-time whistle sounded Guisborough could count themselves unfortunate to only be on level terms due to that harshly-awarded penalty to Redcar.

Redcar started the second half on the front foot and Guisborough had their impressive defender Alex Nelson to thank for a good block then a fantastic tackle to keep the game level at 2-2.

In the 78th minute Guisborough were a whisker away from taking the lead again when Martin unleased a terrific shot from 30 yards out but Redcar ‘keeper Norton pulled off an equally tremendous save diving to push the ball for a corner when it looked destined for the top right hand corner.

Guisborough suffered a blow on the stroke of the 87th minute when Joe Pickett, making a welcome return from injury, was sent off for two yellow cards, the first one somewhat harshly awarded.

Overall, then, 2-2 was just about a fair result and on more than one occasion Guisborough had their evergreen goalkeeper Robert Dean to thank for several crucial saves.

GUISBOROUGH BOSS ‘HAPPY WITH A POINT’

After the game Guisborough Town Manager Steve Bell said that overall he was happy with a point from the match.

I thought it was a really entertaining game in which we started well and scored an early goal from our new debutant Ben Cummins.

However, some sloppy defensive mistakes led to both their goals but a goal from Ty O’Neill meant we went in 2-2 at half-time seemed about right in what at times resembled a basketball match with the ball swinging from end to end. In the second half we found it difficult at times to repeat the momentum of the first half but when we did I always felt there was a winner in it for us.

In the end, however, with us going down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes or so I suppose I’ve got to be happy with a point. A special mention to our new signing Ben Cummins, who we brought in just a few days earlier from Billingham Town. I thought he was outstanding on the night.

Guisborough Town would like to thank from both Redcar and Guisborough for their fantastic support in their best crowd of the season to date.

Guisborough’s next game is at home again in the league against Cumbrian side Penrith at the KGV on Saturday, 9 September (KO 3pm).

FA YOUTH CUP TIE AT THE KGV!

But before that on Thursday, 7 September Guisborough’s Under-18 side take on their counterparts from Morpeth in the FA Youth Cup First Round (KO 7pm). Please note admission prices are a bargain £2 for adults and only £1 concessions. Please come along to support Guisborough’s young stars.

Report: Bill Perfitt