Blyth Spartans v Redcar Athletic | Saturday, 9 August 2025 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans started their Northern Premier League East campaign on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller as they were beaten by Redcar Athletic at Croft Park.

The visitors took the lead through Adam Boyes inside the first 20 minutes. They doubled their lead just before the break with Curtis Round getting on the scoresheet. The match was put to bed just after the restart with Boyes getting his second and Redcar's third.

Matty Slocombe pulled one back just before the hour mark to give some hope to Spartans. Just a few minutes later, Bradley Fewster got in on the action to get the away side's fourth.

Spartans were looking to start the season off on a positive note at home in front of a good crowd, while Redcar were preparing for their first-ever game in the Northern Premier League.

Blyth started well in the opening fifteen, pressing with intent and trying to get in behind the Redcar defence. After that opening passage, the away side started to get their foot on the ball and pen Blyth in and control the tempo of the game.

Boyes opened the scoring for the visitors in the 21st minute. He was played in by Oscar Fletcher, who pass split the Blyth defence open to put Boyes one on one with Callum Dobson, and he slotted home into the bottom left corner to give the Steelmen the lead.

Just minutes later, Boyes was in again, and it was nearly identical to his opener, but this time it was from a wider angle, which just saw his shot go past the post.

Redcar grabbed their second on the stroke of half-time. The away side found themselves on the right-hand side again, and a low driven cross from Dane Burlace across goal evaded Dobson in goal and fell to Round at the back post to roll it into an empty net.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Redcar Athletic

The game was put to bed minutes after the restart with Boyes grabbing his second and the away side's third. A poor pass from Dan Maw found the opposition just outside Blyth's box, and Boyes was found again by a deft touch that was flicked over a Spartans player's head, and the striker reacted instinctively by spinning and volleying the ball into the bottom right corner to extend the visitors' lead and put the game beyond doubt.

Spartans got one back through Slocombe in the 59th minute. A great ball from Paddy McClafferty found Slocombe on the right-hand side of the box, who took the shot on, and it flew into the top left corner to give some life back to the home side.

The comeback was short-lived as Fewster was put through on goal and he smashed home into the bottom right corner to get Redcar's fourth and final goal in the 64th minute.

Spartans started the game well in the opening minutes, but then the quality of the Steelmen quickly showed with them controlling most of the possession, and the timing of all four of their goals knocked the wind out of Spartans' sails, and they couldn't get going after that.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 1-4 Redcar Athletic