match report
Chester le Street Town produced a sterling display playing with 10 men for 70 minutes to come from behind and beat Redcar Athletic 2-1. They came close to taking the lead after 5 minutes when a corner was played in from the left to the far post and Kevin Dixon ran in but failed to make contact with his header. The Cestrians then suffered a blow when they lost Cameron Nichol with a bad leg injury after 9 minutes and he was replaced by Jack Oliver. After 14 minutes, the ball was played into the Redcar area and was brought under control by Scott Robson but he fired wide of the target. Chester came close again after 16 minutes when Kieran Megran was played into the area but his shot came back off the post. Chester were reduced to ten men in the 20th minute when Christopher Stephenson was sent off following a violent tackle. Three minutes later, Redcar took the lead. A corner was played in from the right and David Abel ran in unchallenged to power a header into the roof of the net. After 36 minutes a corner was played in from the right to the far side. Robson hit an overhead kick back across the goal for Kevin Dixon to get in a header which looked to be heading for the corner but Redcar keeper, Will Lawrence made a good save to keep the ball out. Chester equalised after 41 minutes when the ball was played to the edge of the area for Robson to make a good turn and hit the ball into the middle for Joe Hailes to fire home. Redcar made a quick break down the right and Adam Preston raced to the by-line before pulling the ball back to Joel Callender but he fired over the bar from close range. Chester le Street took the lead after 62 minutes when Megran crossed the ball in from the right and Oliver bundled the ball in at the near post. Redcar came close to restoring parity after 77 minutes when the ball was played through to Callender but his powerful drive came back off the bar. A welcome three points from a good battling performance.
Team: Scott Pocklington, Christopher Stephenson, Rhys Turnbull, Craig Marron, Alexander Walker, Kevin Dixon, Kieran Megran, Joshua King, Scott Robson, Cameron Nichol (Jack Oliver, 9 mins), Joseph Hailes. Subs Not Used : Michael Hepplewhite, Joe Grant, Connor Lyon, Jai Grant.
Attendance:120
Match Officials: Mr. Leonard Thurlow, Middlesbrough Mr. Alex Bourner, Middlesbrough & Mr. Chris Profitt, Middlesbrough
