SEAHAM RED STAR 3-2 WEST AUCKLAND
Saturday 3 November, 3:00PM, League
A second half comeback saw Seaham deny West Auckland any reward for their efforts after turning around a 2-1 half time deficit to win 3-2.
It took West Auckland 14 minutes to create an opening with Lee Ellison sending Danny Richmond through one on one with Keith Finch who did well to block the midfielder's shot away for a corner. From this Michael Heckley's thunderous header seemed destined for the top corner only for the keeper to pull out a fingertip save to push the ball over.
The lead wasn't long in coming and new midfielder Bryan Stewart provided it in stunning fashion in the 22nd minute. It was his powerful drive that flew past a stunned Finch from just outside the right hand side of the area to put West ahead.
2 minutes later Jamie Middleton looked to test the Seaham goal again but put his header wide. In the 30th minute Dale Jardine created an opening for himself before putting the ball narrowly over the bar as only one side looked like scoring. In between Dean Arkley had Seaham's first effort - an off target volley from the edge of the area.
However Seaham drew level in the 32nd minute when good work saw Warren Byrne beat the offside trap to calmly slot home with the hosts first effort on target.
West Auckland, though, were not to be be denied a half time lead and Lee Ellison restored their advantage with a 40th minute free kick that curled over the wall and the keeper.
In fact West could have further extend their lead when Dale Jardine released Danny Richmond but, rather than shoot, looked to play the ball across the area to Stuart Owen and it was cut out. After Seaham had a header from a corner flash over the bar, Ellison's effort from the edge of the box in injury time was easily held as the visitors went in ahead at the break.
Thoughts of the first points on the road for West Auckland looked a distinct possibility at the half way stage, only for Seaham to scupper this possibility in the next 45.
A quick break on the left saw the ball worked across for a 2 on 1 advantage on the right and from this Lee Chapman fired a shot past Mark Bell to level the scores. And Seaham should have completed the turn around in the 56th minute when Warren Byrne latched onto Andy Jennings' flick on but lobbed the ball narrowly the wrong side of goal.
West looked to gain a foothold in the second half and could have restored the lead with Bryan Stewart's cut back finding Dale Jardine only for the forward to blaze his effort too high. Further chances fell to the visitors with Danny Richmond and Stuart Owen having efforts saved whilst Warren Byrne's shot was saved by Mark Bell at the other end.
After Richmond had a tame side footed effort saved in the 70th minute, the midfielder then had another good opportunity when Lee Ellison set him through, Richmond's shot across goal was then cleared over the bar by the covering defender as only one side seemed as if they were going to get the next goal.
As is so often the case though in football Seaham took a shock lead with a sensational 40 yard effort from John Rattle that flew into the top corner, with 12 minutes left.
West hit back immediately with Dale Jardine laying the ball off to Lee Ellison whose 20 yard effort rocked the crossbar with Finch beaten, and turned away from danger.
Lee Ellison could not control a shot on the stretch as West dominated the closing exchanges looking for a deserved point before setting up Dale Jardine with a 1-2 although his strike partner was denied again with a good save.
Ellison curled an effort the wrong side of the post in the 3rd minute of stoppage time and shortly afterward the referee brought a close to proceedings.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. Ian Maddison, 5. Jamie Middleton, 6. Danny Key, 7. Bryan Stewart, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Lee Ellison, 11. Stuart Owen (15. Neil Robinson 80 mins)
Subs Not Used: 12. Michael Waller, 14. Bradley Woods