Recap
A cracking game for the neutral but a nightmare for the coaches of each side as the Development Squad and Athletic shared ten goals in an entertaining County League clash.
The hosts won the first half 3-2 and Athletic, who included seven former Reds in their squad, came out on top in the second. The draw left Reds in 5th position with nine points from their seven matches.
Reds established a two goal lead inside ten minutes with James Bell and Tom Houghton both finishing off good approach play with a confident finish.
A fine solo effort from Tommy Whitehead reduced the arrears and a close range tap-in from Greg Quayle made it all square at 2-2. Back came Reds to restore their slender advantage before half time with Houghton grabbing his second of the afternoon.
The entertainment continued to resemble a basketball match and two further goals from Quayle completed his hat-trick and saw Athletic go in front for the first time.
Bell netted again to make it 4-4 only for Athletic to regain the lead with a Gareth Brunton goal.
A rare headed goal from Louis Webster two minutes from time looked suspiciously offside but was allowed to stand and that concluded the goal feast.
There was still an opportunity for each side to win it, Athletic had a penalty appeal rejected at one end whilst Josh Palmer placed his shot wide at the other.
A draw was probably a fair result but defensive work will be a topic for discussion at training this week!
Team: Paden-Gale, Dmytrowski, Whitehead, Howarth, Butterworth (Lowrie), Skinner, Hambling, Burns (Webster), Houghton (Josh Palmer), Bell, Lightfoot C. Substitute – Joe Palmer (not used).