West headed back to the Green Lane Stadium to face Redcar Athletic on Saturday, in the Second Qualifying round of the FA Vase, 3:00pm kick-off. Redcar ran out 4–0 winners against West in our second league game of the season back in July. 

West made a change from their last outing against Crook Town, with Luke Bailey coming in for James Harrison. It took just over 5 minutes for the first chance of the game. The ball was sent into the Redcar penalty area with Josh Scott making contact, his effort going wide. Redcar took the lead on 12 minutes. Joe Taylor’s shot from range clipped the inside of the crossbar and beat West goalkeeper Nick Liversedge. A goal that came in what had been an even contest early on. West Defender Ben Dale was involved quarter of an hour in, when Redcar’s Mark Anderson created space for Bradley Fewster, his effort was blocked by Dale. 26 minutes gone, and former Redcar attacker Layton Watts hit an effort over the crossbar, whilst continuing to cause the home team problems. There was a pause in the game as ex-West player Oscar Fletcher received treatment for a head injury. Liversedge was called on again after 41 minutes, stopping a Kevin Burgess headed effort behind for a corner. Just before half-time, West equalized. West knocked the ball round well, eventually landing at the feet of Watts, who took a few touches and smashed the ball past Redcar goalkeeper Joshua Mazfari. A great goal from Watts on the stroke of half-time sent us at 1-1 at the break.

Just before the half-time whistle, Charlie Wood received an injury which forced him off, being replaced by James Harrison at the start of the second half. Josh Scott had a good chance on 54 minutes, with Chay Liddle managing to dispossess him after a dangerous breakaway. West were excellent in the second 45, and had Redcar rattled at times. After an hour, there was some great direct play from James Harrison which created two chances. First creating a shot for Anthony Bell from outside the box, then a good chance for Harrison to take the lead with a volley which just sailed over. Still 1-1. West continued to press, Scott again involved with a strike that was deflected for a corner. The resulting corner led to a free-kick for Redcar. Layton Watts went into the book for a late challenge on Kevin Burgess. That was closely followed by a chance for Redcar, Adam Boyes hitting the woodwork with a dipping volley. The final whistle went, with the game heading straight to penalties. The first four were converted, with Liam Hegarty and Josh Scott comfortably finding the net for West. Oscar Fletcher stepped up next, and Nick Liversedge made the save, with a feeling that West could really take advantage of the miss. Unfortunately, West couldn’t capitalize, substitute Adam Mitchell repeating Fletcher’s effort. 2-2 it remained. The next five penalties were all converted. The next five penalties all found the back of the net, Watts and Gary Brown scoring for West, before Redcar’s Jack Blackford sent Liversedge the wrong way, putting the pressure on James Harrison. Harrison’s shot was saved by Mazfari, sending Redcar through. Penalties can go either way, but it felt underserved after a great second half from West.

After the game, we spoke to Man of the Match Jermaine Metz.

“It was always going to be difficult today, Redcar are a quality side but to play as well as we did and still fall short is tough to take. The good news is our season target, promotion, remains unfazed and if we can play like that every week I’ve no doubts we’ll do that.”

Full-Time: Redcar Athletic 1-1 (5-4) West Auckland Town

Competition: FA Vase – Second Qualifying

Attendance: 211