The Robins are set for the first ElCoastico of the season as Whitley Bay visit the Daren Persson Stadium on Boxing Day morning
After a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Shildon, one which ended the Robins’ impressive unbeaten run, Shields bounced back with a commanding 3-1 victory over struggling Thornaby.
But after Friday’s match against Ryhope CW was postponed, the Robins will be eager to put together another long run of good form, with their near neighbours making the short trip to North Shields.
Tomorrow’s visitors will be boosted by their recent run of good form, having enjoyed three successive victories over Hebburn Town, Ashington and Seaham Red Star.
In their most recent victory at home to Seaham, the Seahorses were in red-hot from in front of goal, scoring seven goals, courtesy of a Michael Annang-Colqhoun hat trick, plus goals from Marcus Giles and Scott Lowery.
Due to their run of good form, after a difficult start to the season, Whitley Bay now sit 11th in the Division One table, ten points behind North Shields but having played three games more.
But with the Robins chasing one of the three promotion places available this season, there will be plenty of motivation for the hosts to pick up what would be a valuable win.
A victory for the hosts, coupled with results going their way, would see them climb above Consett and into fourth, only two points behind third placed Shildon.
Speaking ahead of the game, North Shields manager Marc Nash spoke about how eagerly the squad have anticipated this game.
“It’s the game everyone associated with the two clubs looks for straight away. It’s two in-form teams but usually that means nothing in a derby ” said Nash.
“We have a few key players missing but we have coped very well previously, especially at home, where we have had some great results against nearly all of the top teams.”
