Wednesday 13th August 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
Tow Law Town 0 – 1 North Shields
‘Robins return to winning ways’
With Saturday’s defeat put behind them, Brian Smith’s side turned their attention to a midweek trip to Tow Law.
Five changes made from Saturday’s squad saw a place in the starting lineup for Ben Harmison making his first start of the campaign and Ryan Carr taking on the role of captain.
First chance of the evening fell to Lewis Suddick, good work from Carr to set him up, Tow Law able to recover just in time to deny Suddick.
The hosts were forced into an early change through injury, Robert Shields replacing Connor Lane after a quarter of an hour.
Tow Law’s custodian James Rutherford thumbled a Lewis Henry header, fortunately his defence were quickest to react.
Rutherford was on hand to deny Jamie Holmes after 25 minutes, Ben Harmison flicking on into the path of Holmes, who used his pace to beat the defender, unleashing a shot only for Rutherford to block low down.
Shields looking good going forward, Jamie Holmes found himself in on goal once again, this time denied by a good block inside the area.
Half time upon us, both teams had chances with Shields looking the more likely to take the lead during the half, good saves from Rutherford and crucial blocks keeping the Robins at bay, Tow Law themselves had chances of their own, forcing a good save out of Hodgson low down to his left.
Second half started with the Robins conjuring up the first attack of the half, Suddick trying his luck from outside the area, saved well by Rutherford.
Ben Harmison continued to cause chaos for the home defenders, flicking the ball into the path of Jamie Holmes once more, Holmes in a foot race with Rutherford was just beaten to it as the custodian cleared his lines.
Holmes looked to turn provider, playing the ball through to Suddick only to be denied by a well timed interception.
The hosts then reminded the Robins they were in the game, rattling an effort off the woodwork to the relief of everybody in red.
The best chance so far for the Robins fell to the Robins in the 70th minute, a great run and cross from Holmes, Ryan Carr flying through the air in the penalty area, only to see his headed effort blocked on the line.
15 minutes remaining, the Robins continued to attack in search of a goal, Lewis Suddick worked his way into the penalty area, cutting back onto his right, appearing to be brought down in the process, all claims for a penalty waved away by the match officials.
Jamie Holmes, seemingly having free reign down the left, whipped in a terrific ball across the face of goal, only seeking a touch but evading everybody as it passed through the six yard box.
The hosts, looking for a goal of their own, tried their luck from distance on a couple of occasions but neither were any danger to Finlay Hodgson’s goal.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – BEN HARMISON ‘78
The break through at last and well deserved too, a beautiful counter attacking move, Ryan Carr picking out Ben Harmison on half way, driving towards, playing the ball to Holmes on the overlap, beating the defender for pace crossing the ball back to Harmison in the middle, sliding in to tap the ball home and give the Robins the lead.
A great opportunity for the Robins presented itself for them to double their lead, the ball worked to Suddick who lashed an effort, quick reactions from Rutherford denying him and the Robins.
The Robins overplaying at the back almost became a costly mistake, the ball back to Hodgson overhit and wayward, fortunately Hodgson was able to scramble back and clear the ball for a throw-in.
Into stoppage time, Ben Harmison almost had his second of the evening, Suddick swinging in a ball from the right, Harmison able to get his head on it, only for his effort to go narrowly wide of the target.
Brian Smith decided to make changes to see out the remaining couple of changes, Morgan Dart, Nick Cassidy and Danny Anderson introduced to the field in place of Ryan Carr, Albe Fletcher and Lewis Henry.
Right at the death, the hosts conjured up one last opportunity, Shields supporters in attendance thinking the game was won, were given a late scare, when the hosts rattled the woodwork for the second time of the evening, the ball rebounding off of the post to the relief of all.
The full-time whistling going, giving the Robins their second win of the campaign, moving them up to 8th in the table, with 8 points from their opening 5 games. A well deserved victory with great chances created and a well taken goal to win the contest, the hosts could argue they deserved something out of the game, themselves creating a couple of good opportunities and hitting the woodwork, thankfully luck was on the Robin’s side.
Another quick turnaround for Brian Smith’s side, as we welcome West Allotment Celtic to the Daren Persson Stadium on Friday night, 16th August with a 7.30pm kick.
North Shields: Hodsgon, Fletcher, E Anderson, Nicholson, Coppen, Donnelly, Suddick, Henry, Harmison, Carr ©, J Holmes.
Subs: Cassidy, Marrs, Dart, Downey, D Anderson.
Goal Scorers: Harmison ‘78.
Attendance: 90
Next Up: West Allotment Celtic (H) – Friday 16th August – KO 7.30pm
