Great Response From Park View As League Leaders Held

A Goal And An Assist For Stephen

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 24th January 2026 Park View AFC 2 v 2 Redcar Town

For the second time this season Park View AFC and Redcar Town could not be split. A second drawn game in the League meant a point a-piece on the day and that was a fair reflection of a very entertaining well contested game.

It also meant that both sides' ended their recent short run of league defeats. Both had gone into the game on the back of successive defeats so both will feel pleased to get another point on the board.

In Redcar's case it meant that they stay top of the table three points ahead of the chasing pack. For Park View it was a one-place climb up to sixth in the table but level on points with the next two teams above them with games in hand.

It was also a very positive performance and result coming off the back of Tuesday night's 3 - 0 drubbing at Grangetown Boys Club. A display that Head Coach Micky Nelson had called 'the worst in my 18 months in charge!'

16-year-old Ollie Taylor had been the one positive note coming out of Tuesday's defeat. His 25 minutes or so cameo effort after coming on as a second half substitute earning him Player of the Match in such a short time on the pitch.

It also earned Taylor a promotion from the bench to the starting XI in place of Frankie Young who dropped down to the substitutes in the only change to Nelson's XI. Clearly he was giving players a chance to right wrongs.

Unfortunately perhaps nerves got the better of Taylor as he presented Redcar with the opening early opportunity inside the first two minutes. His poor short back pass giving McCorie Carmichael a run in on goal.

But Taylor's blushes were spared as his skipper Dylan Wilkinson got across really well as Carmichael got into the box and pulled the right foot trigger. Wilkinson making a great block to concede a corner.

Joe Taylor took the resultant kick but his delivery to the back post was taken cleanly out of the air by Park View keeper James Hughes, the Second Division's goalkeeper of the month for December.

Redcar had made a bright start and almost had another chance when a through ball looked to have but Division 2's top scorer Kyran Clark through on goal. But Hughes came off his line bravely to dive at his feet and smother.

Hughes' fine intervention assisted by Captain Wilkinson who again had covered across well and probably caused Clark to take an extra touch. Park View then began to come into the game and went close to an opener on nine minutes.

Reyhan Grimaud making a superb break from right back and surging forward before exchanging passes with Jacob Mallinson. Grimaud's cross finding Charlie Loveday inside the six-yard box.

It was a great chance for PV but Will Cowey in the Redcar goal did superbly well to parry Loveday's on-target close range effort and deflect it away for a corner that Mallinson delivered to the near post and was headed behind for another.

This time Mallinson's delivery was deeper but once again the Redcar defence were up to the task and able to clear their lines.

Park View then produced a great move that almost brought them a reward. Started by Jamie Frizzel with a nice run down the left and then a curled ball around the defender finding Loveday.

The wide attacking forward cutting in from the left across the pitch before finding Mallinson on the opposite wing. He made ground and crossed well to the back post but it was just too high for the waiting Stephen Siyanbola.

Both teams picked up yellow cards in the space of a couple of minutes and both fouls were involving the same players. Alex Bruton tripping Grimaud to get his and then Grimaud returning the favour on the next play to get his.

They were just before Park View took the lead on 18 minutes with a superb goal from top scorer Siyanbola. A ball out of defence into the heart of the Park View defence saw Wilkinson make a great covering and clearing header.

The ball went towards Loveday who allowed it to bounce and run past him into the path of Siyanbola who took the ball well in his stride. He then made ground into the box under pressure from Jayden Sekete.

Siyanbola showing great strength, control and composure as he rifled in a great left foot shot that went across the diving Cowey and into the bottom corner of the net in fine style.

Redcar's response was rapid. Joe Bennett playing a fine ball out wide left to find Bruton who had already been heavily involved in the game. He cut slightly inside and then level with the 18-yard box whipped in a great delivery.

Whether a shot or a cross it fizzed across the six-yard box with no-one able to get a touch including Hughes who was at full stretch. The ball for Park View fortunately flashing just wide of the far post.

Redcar were then awarded a free kick inside the home half. They attempted to take it clearly but Brandon Young was alert to it and intercepted before starting a lovely counter attack for his side.

Young's fine searching ball found Siyanbola in space on the left. He in turn played an excellent ball inside the box finding Loveday who controlled well and had an angled shooting chance.

Loveday struck his effort well from about 8-yards out but Cowey covered his angles well and was able to dive to his left and make a great parry to keep his side from falling further behind.

Despite the horrendous weather that threatened to have the game called off the pitch was holding up well and both footballing sides were able to get the ball moving around on it.

Clark getting one ball about 25-yards from goal to run nicely to allow him to strike a 20-yard left foot effort that went over Hughes' bar before Redcar should have levelled the game.

A swept cross into the Park View box was turned aside by Grimaud taking no chances for a corner. Taylor delivered to the back post and from inside the six-yard box Carmichael met it but could only head wide with the goal gaping.

However, Carmichael was not to be denied and drew the visitor's level on 28 minutes. Connor Smith finding the striker on the edge of the box who's shot was blocked by Wilkinson.

Unfortunately for PV the rebound also fell to Carmichael who smashed a first time shot into the left corner of the net via Hughes' full stretched left hand that diverted it on to the inside of the post and into the goal.

Park View almost immediately re-took the lead but good defending prevented a second home goal. A Dylan Robson long throw was flicked on dangerously by Frizzel into the six-yard box.

Ben Gallagher arriving late to strike it goal wards but the ball was deflected for a corner. Mallinson delivered and in a scramble both Siyanbola and Wilkinson saw headers blocked and cleared almost off the goal line.

The Redcar defence cleared their lines and set-up a solo counter attack by Mustapha Abdullahi. Down the right he sped into the PV box before firing into the near post. Hughes getting down well to smother the effort.

Redcar though did take the lead on 32 minutes with from their point of view a good goal but defensively Park View may have done better. Grimaud allowed a ball across to Bruton to be easily collected by the wide man.

Bruton's ball into the box was controlled, held-up well and then laid off by Carmichael who picked out Jude Harrison who broke forward and from 8-yards out stabbed his effort through and past Hughes to but the league leaders ahead.

It required a Park View response and almost got it. Grimaud with another surging run from right back teed up Mallinson on the right in space. Mallinson's low cross was an excellent one that the Redcar defence couldn't get too.

As the ball flashed wickedly across the six-yard box and out of Cowey's diving reach, Gallagher came steaming in at the back post but was just unable to get a decisive touch that would have surely put his side level.

Cowey then almost turned provider for Redcar. His long clearance into the PV half being flicked on by Smith to free Clark who ran into the box. Hughes came off his line well and Clark's attempt to lift the ball over him was too high.

Gallagher had the last effort of an open first half when he was fouled about 25-yards out in a central position. He got up to take the free kick himself but curled it over the bar to enable Redcar to take their slight lead into the half-time break.

Redcar started on the front foot in the second 45 minutes with a corner won by Bruton off Mallinson. Taylor clipped an in-swinger to the near post that Hughes almost fumbled free but he recovered before anyone could take advantage.

Bruton seemed for a few moments to be everywhere and very heavily involved winning his side a free kick in a very dangerous position just outside the box after a challenge from Robson.

Town skipper Craig Gott stepped up and curled a beautiful effort inches wide of the upright with Hughes well beaten. At the other end it was Bruton again involved almost to his detriment.

Frizzel swinging a great ball into the centre of the Redcar box from wide left. Siyanbola went to meet it but Bruton got there first. But his attempted clearance almost brought Park View level as he smashed it just over the bar.

Mallinson the deliverer once again with great accuracy. Siyanbola getting the first header in that was headed out by the Town defence. The ball came back to Wilkinson who also got a header on target only to see Redcar clear again.

Park View were starting to get on top and really force Redcar back with Taylor, Gallagher and Young in midfield in control of the game and seemingly being able to run non-stop.

A controversial moment followed that broke up a really promising Park View counter attack. Loveday sweeping a ball right to Mallinson who rounded Bruton at pace and looked to attack the box.

Bruton though stopped Mallinson's progress with a clumsy awkward block that was never going to get near the ball and Park View had a free kick. That was all that was deemed to be appropriate. Bruton escaping a second yellow card.

Mallinson level with the 18-yard box played a short free kick to Loveday on the edge of the box who made room for a shot and clipped his left foot effort inches wide of the near post with Cowey struggling to get there.

Almost unsurprisingly Redcar withdrew the fortunate Bruton from the contest seconds later. They were also clearly suffering from tired legs as they began to see players going down with cramp and strains needing to be replaced.

A lot of this being the effect that Park View's younger more energetic and driven midfield was having on the game being stretched. Park View really probing for an equaliser.

Another free kick conceded by Redcar and another Mallinson delivery. This time Frizzel from just outside the six-yard got his header on target. Cowey dropping down at his near post to save the goal bound effort at the second attempt.

Park View threw on Zac Boddy in place of Mallinson and although he played no real part he was on the field when his side did find a deserved equaliser on 85 minutes. It came from a Robson long throw.

To the near post where Frizzel once again got a flick on. This time his flick found Siyanbola who nodded it towards the back post. Young timing his run superbly ghosted in unmarked and from close range fired the ball into the empty net.

Back Post Brandon Levels For PV

It was no more than Park View warranted after a great display all game where they had more than matched top of the table Town. And they weren't finished nor satisfied with a draw and a point as they went looking for more.

They almost got and then perhaps should have gotten more in the dying embers of the game. Another Robson long throw, another great Frizzel flick and Siyanbola hit a volley on the stretch that just lacked the power to beat Cowey.

The the moment. A glorious chance beautifully created. Frizzel bursting forward from defence and driving forty yards to set the opportunity up. He found Loveday on the left who produced a delightful cross back across goal.

The ball too high for Cowey's hands and Siyanbola looked to have the goal at his mercy as he came onto the ball inside the six-yard box. But unfortunately his half volley finish was inches too high and flashed over the bar.

Cowey took the goal kick and the referee blew the whistle for no side to end a good game played on a tough pitch where both sides gave their all. By the end of the 90 minutes both would go away with the same rewards.

But Redcar perhaps the more relieved as they were hanging on more than a little bit in the final ten minutes. Park View showing that they are more than a match for anyone on their day and being well in the play-off picture.

That play-off promise and push will next be tested on Wednesday night (28th January) once again with Seaham Red Star the visitors to The Riverside for a 7:30pm kick-off.

Seaham have the same points but Park View's slightly superior goal difference gives them positional advantage. It is though another big game as a win for either side would almost certainly propel them in to the targeted placings.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Ollie Taylor 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Jacob Mallinson 8. Ben Gallagher 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Brandon Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Joe Sykes (Not Used) 14. Sam Beattie (Not Used) 15. Frankie Young (Not Used) 16. Brad Hughes (Not Used) 17. Zac Boddy (for Mallinson 80 mins) SCORERS : Siyanbola 18, B Young 85

PLAYER of the GAME : Ollie Taylor