On this day – 02 December
Reflecting on what happened to Reds on the 2nd December in previous years……….
Reds have experienced more joy than disappointment on this particular day and they were certainly celebrating back in 2006.
A comprehensive 3-0 victory over Blyth Spartans saw Reds go two points clear at the top of Nationwide North. The team’s work rate was fantastic and Blyth were not allowed to settle at any point in the game.
Dean Douglas opened the scoring with his first goal for the club and two more from man-of-the-match, Anthony Wright, secured an impressive win in front of a season’s best crowd of 718.
The referee that day was Paul Tierney, another official who has progressed to the Premier League via the various (non) leagues in the north west.
Marine are currently planning their mouth watering FA Cup tie with Spurs for 3rd Round weekend and Reds should have been playing at the Marine Travel Arena (pictured above) this Saturday.
Back in 1986, we did play at Marine and obtained a precious point in a goalless draw. The performance was even more remarkable considering the build-up. Kick-off was delayed by fifteen minutes because two cars transporting the players had been held up in a traffic jam on the M6.
Even then, Reds played the first quarter of an hour with only ten men against the league leaders with the hard earned point lifting us off the foot of the table for the first time in months.
Football League victories were obtained in 1961 and 1967 with Reds getting the better of Aldershot (2-1) and Brentford (2-0) respectively.
There was a feisty old affair against Stourbridge here three years ago with Workington scoring a 94th minute goal to seal a 2-1 victory.
But the home fans were sent home happy after the game’s outstanding player, Phil McLuckie, prodded home the late, late winner.
Sam Joel had opened the scoring towards the end of the first half but the visitors, reduced to ten men after Luke Benbow’s dismissal, levelled matters with an 87th minute goal from Luke Shearer.
