Redcar Athletic continue to lead the way in the Wearside Football League after hitting five goals once again, at Green Lane, on Saturday.

By Andrew McElvaney

Sunderland West End started brightly and took the lead on 8 minutes when Jordan Cook robbed Redcar Athletic defender Jordan Kirk, on the edge penalty area as he dawdled on the ball and he fired in a low shot which keeper Matthew Berry when diving to his right, could only parry it straight into the path of BARRY TURTON, who thumped the ball into the net. The goal woke Redcar Athletic up and they went out in search of an equaliser which almost arrived in the 16th minute when Andy Jennings turned on the right hand edge of the area and let leash with a fierce rising shot which stung the hands of West End keeper Kyle Donaldson, falling just out of Lewis Wood's path as he followed in for the rebound. Patience was a virtue for Redcar Athletic and it was important not to overstretch themselves as West End were a constant threat themselves going forward. In the 40th minute Andy Jennings created space for himself on the edge of the West End area before firing in a low goal bound shot which was deflected just an inch or two wide of the right hand post. Sam Webster curled in the corner kick and Lewis Wood stretched to meet it with a powerful header which deflected off the outstretched leg of defender Stephen Lax and pinged against the left hand post before the ball was cleared out of the area. But it was only seconds later the game was finally all square as Chris Bivens fed the ball onto ANDY JENNINGS on the edge of the West End penalty area and he took a touch before firing a fierce low drive past keeper Donaldson into the back net. Right on the half time whistle Michael Woodhouse in his own half threaded the ball through a static West End defence putting ANDY JENNINGS clear, who raced into the area calmly rounded keeper Donaldson before walking the ball into net give Redcar Athletic a 2-1 lead at the break.

H/T Redcar Athletic 2 v 1 Sunderland West End

The game was all over as a contest within the first 3 minutes of the 2nd half as Redcar Athletic hit West End with another quickfire double strike. 50 seconds into the 2nd half Michael Woodhouse's forward ball found Andy Jennings, who this time became provider, as he picked out LEWIS WOOD to his left 20 yards out from goal and he drilled a low hard drive into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Just 2 minutes later Matthew Dunford threaded the ball through to MICHAEL WOODHOUSE in the centre circle, who left a static defence standing rooted to the spot as he raced clear and he rounded keeper Donaldson before tapping in from a yard out to make it 4-1. It was almost 5-1 in the 50th minute as Redcar Athletic now had the bit between their teeth and Sam Webster broke clear down the left before firing in a rising shot which looked destined for the roof of the net before somehow, keeper Kyle Donaldson managed to get a couple of fingers to it to deflect it round the left hand angle of the post and bar. Credit to Sunderland West End they managed to re-group and tried to look for a way back into the game, but any thought of doing so was extinguished in the 70th minute when substitute David Keithley was shown a straight red card after attacking Redcar Athletic defender Chris Bivens off the ball in a rather unsavoury fashion. Man of the Match MICHAEL WOODHOUSE, saved the best to last, as did Andy Jennings last week, when 2 minutes into injury time, he won possession of the ball in his own half, weaved past 3 challenges, then raced clear past 2 defenders in the West End half, leaving them for dead as he entered the penalty area, before smoothly rounding keeper Kyle Donaldson to stroke the ball into the open net to put the cherry on the cake. Redcar Athletic will now travel to Richmond Town in the semi-final next Saturday, as they beat Spennymoor Town Reserves 5-4 on penalties after drawing their tie 0-0, at the same time this game at Green Lane took place.

F-T Redcar Athletic 5 v 1 Sunderland West End