All Roads Lead To Jarrow As United Finish In Style

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 19th April 2025 Redcar Town 0 v 2 Chester-le-Street United

Going into Saturday's game United already knew that they had qualified for the end of season playoff semi-finals. The questions to be answered were where would they finish in the table and who would they play.

At the end of the last 90 minutes of the regular season both questions were answered. United's comfortable controlled 2 - 0 away win gave them 4th place in the Division and a match-up at 3rd placed Jarrow on April 28th.

Finishing fourth with the second best defensive record and three points clear of fifth placed Thornaby was and is a magnificent achievement. This young United side has grown in stature throughout the campaign and full deserved their reward.

That reward is a chance to make it to the Playoff final game and an opportunity to go for promotion to the First Division if the 'can win one more game." But that, as they say, is for another day but also something to relish and look forward too.

For this game Head Coach Micky Nelson and his coaching team decided on freshening things up making a few changes. One of which was forced upon them by the late withdrawal of the unwell Jamie Frizzel.

That meant defensive midfielder Dylan Robson switching to left back. Reyhan Grimaud came in for Riley Everett, Ben Gallagher for Nathan Conroy and Brad Hughes coming in for his first start in the League for United.

Despite their lowly League position Redcar were determined to finish their League season well in front of their own fans. With the extremely strong wind at their backs and playing very direct they caused United problems in the early stages.

However, it was United who had the first strike on goal. James Hughes' long clearance flicked on by Stephen Siyanbola and collected by Gallagher who found Charlie Loveday just inside the home box.

Loveday did well to create a little space for his right-foot shot but Jayden Sekete sliding across did well to block the effort and leave his keeper Will Cowey untroubled.

In United's next attack they won a throw-in level with the 18-yard line. Michael Mallaburn taking it but Jonathan Quinn headed it clear. Brad Hughes failed to collect the clearance and Redcar broke clear.

Owen Clarkson carrying the ball forward and then playing it to Kayden Robinson-Coley on the edge of the box. The Redcar striker only had Dylan Wilkinson to beat and would have been through on goal.

But United's skipper as he has done all season long stood tall, timed his tackle to perfection taking the ball cleanly and clearing the danger. But Redcar were in the ascendancy and almost took the lead on 8 minutes.

A lovely deep cross from the left touchline from Dylan Rutherford found it's target with Robinson-Coley getting a great deft flicked header on to the ball in. It looked as if it was looping over James Hughes.

But back pedalling quickly Hughes stretched fully as the ball headed towards the net and acrobatically turned the ball over the bar in superb style. Cameron Wilson delivered the corner that was too long but retrieved by Jamie Lee.

He turned inside and tried to find the far corner of the net but his shot missed the target and went over the Chester bar.

The wind and direct approach from the home side was making it awkward for United's defenders who were doing well. But when they didn't cope with one bouncing ball it fell to Jack Collins on the edge of the box who clipped it wide.

Alex Bruton and Wilson then did well on the right to put Wilson into a good crossing position but Brad Hughes did well to cut the ball out and concede a corner.

Wilson took it but Alex Clark was alert to the danger and on-hand to skilfully guide the ball back to the safe hands of James Hughes. Then in the next home attack Clark fouled Robinson-Colley not far outside the box in a central position.

Wilson stepped up and curled the free kick around the wall but also well wide of the far post. Then shortly afterwards United conceded another corner. Wilson swinging in a dangerous ball that evaded everyone and flew wide of the far post.

On 21 minutes the game changed completely and to the benefit of United who took the lead from a set piece of their own. Siyanbola being fouled 35-yards from goal by Quinn. Mallaburn took the kick and floated it nicely into the box.

Clark got up well and flicked it on to Wilkinson's whose point blank header was brilliantly parried by Cowey. The ball dropped to Clark whose first effort appeared to be handled on the line by Rutherford.

But Clark didn't wait for the whistle as he followed up and crashed his second effort home from close range to give United a lead slightly against the run of play. Rutherford actually picking up a booking for the handball after the goal was given.

United's confidence now began to flow as they started to control and dictate play. Mallaburn with a through ball almost getting Siyanbola free but Quinn got there first only for his attempted clearance to be picked up by Brandon Young.

He played a clever ball back inside the area to Siyanbola who unfortunately could only hit his left-foot shot wide of the target from 8-yards.

Siyanbola and Quinn were involved in a battle royal almost every time United attacked. Siyanbola winning another corner off the Redcar centre back who felt he was fouled. The referee disagreed and sin-binned Quinn for carrying his protest too far.

Mallaburn delivered the corner which was cleared back to him on the right from where he sent in a lovely inviting curling cross. Wilkinson still up from the corner met it firmly with a header 8-yards out but it flew inches over the bar.

Siyanbola out left did well to win a corner off Wilson. Mallaburn delivered and Cowey made a good punch that cleared his area. Brad Hughes picking up the loose ball about 22-yards out and immediately being fouled by Brunton.

It was in a nice central position for Mallaburn who lined up a shot at goal but it was always rising as it curled over not just the defensive wall but the bar as well. Despite being in the face of the strong wind United were looking good.

However they were indebted to Robson at the defensive end who showed great awareness and coverage as Clarkson tried to slide the dangerous Robinson-Coley in on goal. Robson nipping in and making a good covering clearing challenge.

United really should have doubled their lead just before the half-time break. Gallagher doing well on the right to send Siyanbola away. United's top scorer doing brilliantly to draw defence and then slide a great ball through to Loveday.

Loveday had a clear shooting opportunity from about 14-yards out with only Cowey to beat. But credit to the Redcar keeper who did really well to spread himself and make a brilliant stop to keep out Loveday's effort.

It meant the sides left the field after a tough 45 minutes with United doing really well to be in front given the conditions had been against them in the opening half.

The second started brightly for United as they were able to get the ball down with the wind at their backs and they began to dominate possession. For Redcar it was tough as their direct approach was severely curtailed.

On 51 minutes United grabbed a second goal and virtually made the game safe. It came from a corner won by Siyanbola and taken by Mallaburn who's pinpoint delivery saw Wilkinson power a great header at goal.

Cowey at full stretch did brilliantly to parry the ball and keep it out but to his and his team's dismay the ball arrived at the feet of Robson who could have been no more than two-yards out and had the simple task of poking the ball home.

United now in complete control and nearly had a third not long after. Loveday on the left finding Mallaburn inside. He played a ball into the box where Gallagher and Siyanbola were both blocked.

The ball eventually coming back out to Loveday who from just inside the box struck a good left foot shot that went just wide of the far post. United continued to press but rhythm was slowed a little with substitutions for both sides.

Conroy coming on for Loveday and Dom Hughes for Young for United. Redcar then found themselves back down to ten men again as Wilson this time incurred the wrath of the Referee and was dispatched for their second sin-bin of the game.

United launched a brilliant attack set-up by a good defensive header from Clark that found Dom Hughes on the right. He sprinted forward before exchanging passes at pace with Siyanbola.

Hughes getting to the byline before cutting a great ball back dangerously in the area towards Siyanbola but Rutherford did well to clear in front of the big striker. Mallaburn once again with the corner and once again with great delivery.

And also, once again, it was Skipper Wilkinson getting there first and in front of everyone else but despite his header from just outside the six-yard box beating Cowey it also flashed just wide of the far post.

There was then a lovely moment for United when they made their last two substitutions with 12 minutes to play. Everett came on for Grimaud but the introduction of Jacob Mallinson for Mallaburn raised the biggest smile.

Mallinson who suffered a very bad knee injury representing England and Park View out in China back in July last year had finally battled back to fitness. It was a great sight for all to see him back on the first team scene.

United's next chance came from a Redcar attack. Wilson's low cross being well cleared by Wilkinson who found Conroy in space. Onto Siyanbola and then to Dom Hughes who found Gallagher in the box but his finish was weak and Cowey saved easily.

Siyanbola then won a ball off the Redcar defence to find Conroy who squared a lovely ball to Mallinson who was in space. He took aim and fired in a good effort that was denied the opportunity to test Cowey by a good block from Drew Reader.

With time ticking down and United cruising to victory the game ended on a slightly sour note when Redcar skipper Lee who had been booked earlier in the game allowed his frustrations to boil over and was shown a second yellow and subsequent red for dissent.

The final whistle sounding not long after to signal a return to winning ways for United and that superb fourth-placed finish. This was a win very much built on a great defensive platform.

Not only did they keep a clean sheet after withstanding the wind and directness of the home side in the first half but both goals came from members of the back four who were all excellent on the day.

Robson playing out of position was very good and Clark alongside his skipper at the heart of defence very solid indeed. Grimaud on the opposite side to Robson also hardly putting a foot wrong.

All led by Captain Wilkinson who as well as marshalling his troops could perhaps on another day had a hat-trick. But no doubt he was more than content with a head in both goals and another excellent dominant defensive display.

It all means that the players and coaching staff get that well earned and well deserved chance to go to Jarrow in the semi-final playoff game with the dream of promotion very much alive. A very exciting time for everyone at United.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Dylan Robson 4. Brad Hughes 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Alex Clark 7. Ben Gallagher 8. Michael Mallaburn 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Brandon Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Riley Everett (for Grimaud 78 mins) 15. Dom Hughes (for Young 74 mins) 16. Jacob Mallinson (for Mallaburn 78 mins) 17. Nathan Conroy (for Loveday 70 mins)

SCORERS : Clark 21 mins, Robson 51 mins MAN of the MATCH : Dylan Wilkinson