In a quick turnaround, West headed to the Durham Coast to face Seaham Red Star. We welcomed Red Star to West Auckland for the opening game of the 2024/25 season. Gary Brown opened the scoring, and two late Josh Scott goals sealed a 3-0 victory.

The game started at a high tempo, with lots of pressure from Seaham. Red Star almost had the opener. Arran Wearmouth turned and hit a shot from the edge of the box, which came back off the post. West created their first chance after 3 minutes, Layton Watts playing a ball into the box and James Harrison nearly made it, but he was just short. Minutes later, there were screams from fans and the bench as a tackle from Liam Hegarty left a Red Star player on the ground, but no card or free kick. Gary Brown made a run for a stray ball and found Watts, but the Seaham goalkeeper managed to get to it first. The first goal of the game came from the home team, with 18 minutes gone. Arran Wearmouth turned his man and managed to skip past a defender, he hit the ball to the back post where Lewis Rutherford was waiting to fire home. 1-0 Seaham. It wasn’t long until the West equaliser. Five minutes after the opener, James Harrison broke free, beat his defender and slid it under the keeper to level the score, Harrison’s 6th goal of the season. It was a fairly even game after half an hour, with chances for both sides. A foul on new West signing Josh Robertson led to a free kick from Layton Watts, but the Seaham keeper wasn’t too troubled. The tempo remained high before half-time, and West’s best chance to take the lead before the break came when Scott clipped the ball in the box, finding Ben Dale. Dale’s header was saved well by the keeper and went out for a corner. The resulting corner lead to a chance for Josh Scott, who headed wide from the following corner. The teams went into half-time at 1-1.

Adam Mitchell replaced Lewis Ritson to start the second half. It was another fast-paced start to the second half. West were forced into another change three minutes into the second half, Luke Bailey coming on to replace Alfie Conway. With 52 minutes on the clock, Josh Scott cut back and set up Harrison in the box, his strike saved by the keeper. After an hour, a foul on the edge of the Seaham box saw a free kick taken by Watts, with the resulting shot missing the target. At this point, the game turned a little scrappy. On 68 minutes, Luke Bailey played an excellent ball up to Watts, who took a touch and looked to find Scott, but the Seaham defender just blocked the pass. Anthony Bell came on to replace goalscorer James Harrison on 74 minutes. Two minutes later, a foul on Scott just outside the box led to a free-kick in a dangerous area. Adam Mitchel stood over the ball and a huge deflection left Seaham keeper, Matthew Cassop stranded. The lead was short lived. In very dubious circumstances, Gary Brown was adjudged to have brought down a Seaham player in the box. The referee indicated a penalty, despite calls from players and supporters claiming it was two yards outside the box. Joe Hailes stepped up from 12 yards and drew Seaham level. 2-2 after 79 minutes. Luke Bailey went in the book for a two-legged tackle before the final whistle. The last real chance went to Seaham, Tom Lawson losing his defender before unleashing a low shot from outside the 18 yard box which went wide of the far post. An even game and, overall, a fair point.  

Coach Lewis Dodds gave his thoughts on the 2-2 draw after the game. 

“Disappointing result on face of it, but Seaham always give 100% and if you give them something to hang on to they will.

I thought we played well in spells but didn’t do our jobs in the two final thirds which ultimately cost us two points. We set the lads goals each month and we need to be in the top three by end of the month.

Thanks to the fans who travelled over to watch and we look forward to Tuesday at home against a very good Crook team.”

Full-Time: Seaham Red Star 2-2 West Auckland Town

Competition: Northern League Division One

Attendance: 195