Redcar Athletic VS North Ferriby

The Villagers were defeated at the first hurdle in England’s premier cup competition following a two-nil defeat at the Hollou Sports Stadium.

Arriving in the North-East, the aurora of the cup was in full swing, but it was always going to be a strong test against a highly invested Redcar side.

Ferriby were under the cosh early on as the hosts caught the defence off guard, taking the lead inside the opening five minutes.

A calming presence descended upon the Ferriby camp as Sam Aynsley came close to levelling, after a well worked corner saw the wide man head narrowly over.

The Villagers ascendancy continued and following a decent passage, were denied by a goal line clearance just minutes later.

A brace of fine saves from Ben Bottomley kept the Villagers in the tie as Louis Kirk failed to hit the target after hitting the side netting.

Late in the half, the tie got a little heated after Redcar were awarded a spot kick, cautions were handed to both Ben Bottomley and Louis Johnson.

Suffice to say, the resulting spot kick was converted, and the villagers entered the break with a two-goal deficit.

It was a new half, and a similar story ensued. The Steelmen looked to kill off the game from the off after a well worked manoeuvre ended in a shot into the side netting.

The Steelmen continued to press, however a quadruple change for the Villagers looked to settle the away ship.

Josh Thacker provided the villager their best chance of the game, after a delightful ball in from Jason St Juste saw the midfielder lob Josh Mazfari, only to see the ball drop atop the net.

You can’t fault the Villagers effort, but ultimately a Ferriby goal would never come. Subsequently, the dying moments saw the Steelmen break only to be denied by a fine defensive block.

Starting XI: Ben Bottomley, Dom Roma, Jack Johnson, Louis Kirk (Josh Thacker 54’), Niall Tilsley, Ben Whelan (Brad Williams 80’), Sam Aynsley (Jason St Juste 54’), Luke Hogg, Lewis Dennison (James Nichols 54’), Elliott Walker, Myron Gibbons (Olly Baldwin 54’).

Unused Subs: Jordan Douglas.