Last Gasp Disappointment But PV Remain Unbeaten

Alex Clark

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Tuesday 4th August 2026 Seaham Red Star 1 v 1 Park View AFC

Still unbeaten and still in the top six but it could have been so much more for Park View AFC. Saturday's thrilling comeback against Seaton Carew from two down saw them create enough great chances late on to take all three points.

Tuesday was different but ultimately similar! Taking the lead PV had excellent opportunities to kill off the game. They didn't take them and in the last few seconds of a competitive encounter paid the cost.

Going into the game Park View had to make three changes from Saturday's team. Davy Carter coming into goal to replace Josh Reid. Niall Armstrong and Jacob Mallinson were also out through injury.

This gave first starts of the season to both Frankie Young and Lukas Thompson. In the case of forward Thompson, son of Gateshead's record goal scorer Paul, it was a senior competitive debut at this level.

Indeed Park View's match day squad of 16 included no less than 8 players under the age of 18. Once again a testament to their project, programme and depth of talented squad.

PV made a good start to the game. Looking dangerous with the lively Charlie Loveday and Thompson looking good up front and supported from midfield by skipper Ben Gallagher and the Young boys Brandon and Frankie.

Wing backs Carter Bell and Reyhan Grimaud trying to get forward at every opportunity and Jamie Frizzel, Alex Clark and Markus Giefalk looking solid and organised at the back behind the vocal Carter.

The first chance came when Brandon Young found Thompson breaking from midfield with a neat pass. Thompson in turn picking out Gallagher inside the box whose first time effort was well blocked by Cam McHarg.

The ball spinning wide to the right where Grimaud had a chance to cross low but he could not direct his delivery away from Seaham keeper Shaun Newbrook who gathered it comfortably.

PV's pressure continued as they earned a couple of free-kicks. From the the first just inside the Red Star half Bell delivered and found Clark whose goal bound effort was blocked by his marker Kai Charlton.

McHarg's foul on Gallagher saw the PV skipper take a quick free-kick to Giefalk who sent Loveday scurrying away at goal. Loveday's dangerous cross into the middle being well headed clear by Dan Wilds.

Seaham then began to get a foothold eventually in the game and on 12 minutes had their first opportunity. Jack Thynne's ball forward found Charlton in behind Frizzel who pulled him back to earn a caution.

Jack Leonard stepped up to deliver the resultant free-kick but his ball into the box was overhit and Carter was able to claim it easily.

Back to PV pressure and once again successive free-kicks from Gallagher. From the first Brandon Young had a half-chance blocked and then from the second McHarg headed out for a corner which Seaham cleared easily.

At the other end Reece Blakely did well on the Red Star right to create some crossing room and his delivery was good. Charlton climbed to meet it but could only direct his back header from the centre of the box wide of the target.

It was becoming a more even game and a very competitive one played in a good spirit with neither side giving an inch although neither side could create that vital opening either.

Defences coping well with whatever was thrown at them. Brandon Young played a clever ball around the corner to Loveday who managed to get into the box. But his left foot effort was well blocked by Wilds.

Good football by Seaham gave the game the closest effort on goal so far in the game. Leonard finding the overlapping Thynne on the left. He squared the ball to former PV skipper Ryan O'Connor who slid the ball into the box.

Charlton got in a shot that Clark did well to block with the rebound falling to the advanced right back Leo Kirkbride who lashed it inches wide from the edge of the box.

Seaham finished the half the stronger but apart from a Kirkbride free-kick delivered into the box that Grimaud headed out after Clark had fouled Charlton there was no further chances to speak of as the half-time whistle went.

Like they had in the first half PV started the brighter in the second. Some good possession football ended with the ball falling to Grimaud on the right. He got a shot in that struck his own player Loveday.

The rebound coming to Gallagher who tried a first time right-footer but saw O'Connor in the right place at the right time to block. O'Connor and McKellan Lines for the home side then began to bring Seaham into the game.

They were pushing and probing going side to side and trying to use their wide players. But PV were holding their lines well and looking very solid in defence at all times.

PV were forced into a change on 52 minutes when Bell limped off to be replaced by Isaac Anderson another making his competitive debut at this level for Park View. Within a minute Anderson was able to join the celebrations as PV struck.

From another defensive clearance Gallagher picked up the ball and moved forward. Spotting the run of Loveday the PV skipper threaded a brilliant through ball from inside his own half to give Loveday a run on goal.

The speedy tricky forward did superbly to control the ball and then outsprint the trailing Seaham defenders. As Newbrook advanced from his line to close down the angle Loveday struck a calm left foot shot low past him to open the scoring.

Charlie Loveday

A great finish from a well crafted goal and a brilliant counter attack. Within three minutes it perhaps should have been 2 - 0. Anderson with a good win that saw him put Gallagher in on the left side.

His cross into the box saw him find Loveday about 8-yards out with only Newbrook to beat but this time Loveday's effort although beating Newbrook went the wrong side of the far post. A great chance.

PV made a further substitution with Ollie Taylor coming on for Frankie Young who had put in a good shift in the midfield. His brother Brandon helped create his side's next good chance that they did not take.

A foul by McHarg on Young earning Park View a free-kick. Giefalk took it and found Young out wide who did well to cross into the middle. Clark challenged and the ball fell to Frizzel 12-yards out but he flashed his left foot shot wide.

Seaham responded with a good ball wide right by Lines to Bobbie McNeaney. The wide man did well to get to the byline past Anderson and whip in a low cross. Carter bravely diving out in front of Charlton to palm away.

Clark was on hand once again to get to the loose ball for his side and clear the ball away to safety. McNeaney was suddenly in the game for Red Star and causing problems. Anderson receiving a booking for stopping him illegally.

But PV were still doing well to hold on and indeed create further chances. A diagonal free kick from halfway by Giefalk found it's intended target in the Red Star box in Clark.

Clark's header finding Taylor in space about 14-yards out but the young substitute couldn't get his open shot on target and Newbrook watched it go wide of his left hand post.

Park View made another change with Bobby Gough being yet another debutant at this level as he came on for the tiring Thompson who had put in a really committed effort in his first ever start.

Anderson after struggling with McNeaney after coming on began to find his feet and become a good outlet for PV on the left. Following a good win and great run he put Loveday though the middle and one-on-one with Newbrook.

Unfortunately though once again Loveday was inches away from doubling his own and his side's tally. His effort beat the Seaham keeper all ends up but once again was wide of the target.

Loveday was then fouled in the next meaningful attack by McHarg who was booked for the challenge about 25-yards from goal. Gallagher lined up the kick and curled a beauty around the wall.

But he was denied by Newbrook who dived fully to his left to make a good save and keep his side in the contest and as time edged on it was Seaham that began to look ever more dangerous.

Some neat play not far outside of the Park View box saw O'Connor almost substitute Mason Hardy in on goal but Giefalk did well to clear for a corner that Leonard took but Clark headed clear.

The Red Star pressure was building and they had two corners in quick succession on either side with Leonard the deliverer. The first was cleared by Anderson and the second saw a wicked bounce give McHarg a header at goal.

But he couldn't control his header sufficiently to trouble Carter in the Park View goal who was able to watch it go not far over the bar but over the bar all the same.

Gallagher then walked a tightrope after picking up a booking for a foul on Leonard and then very soon afterwards tripping Blakey just outside the box to give Seaham a dangerous free-kick.

Hardy trying to find numerous targets at the back post but the ball drifting to safety as the game went into injury time. Park View looking as if they were going to hang on but with virtually the last kick of the game Seaham responded.

It was a poor goal from PV's point of view but one that the home side celebrated as if it had won them the League! An attack down the left saw Frizzel fail to clear and gave McNeaney a run.

Giefalk got the wrong side of the winger who was able to use the space to get the ball inside the box. Substitute Alfie Fawcett reacting quicker than Clark and Carter got in between them and from a tight angle slid the ball into the net.

Park View barely had time to kick-off when the referee's whistle went to signal the end of the game and a point each for both side's. The reactions of both clearly showing the difference in the feeling.

The home side celebrating their escape and Park View looking very disappointed at conceding so late and rueing the chances they created after going in front to kill the game off.

TEAM : 1. Davy Carter 2. Charlie Loveday 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Carter Bell 5. Alex Clark 6. Markus Giefalk 7. Frankie Young 8. Ben Gallagher (c) 9. Lukas Thompson 10. Brandon Young 11. Reyhan Grimaud SUBS : 12. Ollie Taylor (for Frankie Young 57 mins) 13. Jack Lafferty (Not Used) 14. Ethan Lowery (Not Used) 15. Bobby Gough (for Thompson 68 mins) 16. Isaac Anderson (for Bell 52 mins)

SCORER : Loveday 53 mins

PLAYER of the MATCH : Alex Clark