Match Report
Saturday 14th September 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 2 – 0 Whickham
‘Robins move into top 6’
Brian Smith’s side looked to continue their unbeaten run as Whickham were the visitors to the Daren Persson Stadium.
From Wednesday’s draw with Newcastle Blue Star, there were 3 changes to the starting lineup with Liam Marrs, Dan Waldon and Lee Mason returning to the starting eleven.
The opening few minutes were fairly open with both sides looking to settle into the game but it didn’t take long for the Robins to settle and get on top and start to apply pressure on the visitors’ goal.
Shields playing the opposite way to which they normally do in the first half and with the wind in their faces, they didn’t allow the conditions to put them off their stride, the Robins moved the ball around well on the edge of the area patiently waiting for a space to open up but were unable to get off a shot in the opening passage of play.
Jordan Lashley curled in a freekick, looking for the head of Mason but the cross was too high for Mason to make contact with.
Another flowing move from the Robins saw the away defence turn the ball over their cross bar.
The Robins turned up the heat, not allowing the visitors to settle, another good free flowing move, Lashley cutting the ball back into the middle for McCamley for running in but a swing and a miss from the youngster denying the Robins a opening goal.
Jordan Lashley produced a good save out of Matthew Wilkinson with a neat save at his front post.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – DAN WALDON ‘25
The breakthrough finally coming halfway through the first half, a corner kick swung in to the back post, controlled by Coppen, the ball worked to Waldon, who made a yard of space for himself before smashing the ball home from 12 yards.
The Robins almost had a quickfire double, McCamley curling an effort just over the angle.
Finlay Hodgson was kept alert at the other end, a good save low down to deny a quick response from the visitors.
A big let off for the Robins on the stroke of half time, possession given away loosely inside their own half, Whickham through on goal but unable to capitalise as the effort was dragged across the face of goal.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2-0 – DEAN HOLMES ‘44
The Robins doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, Holmes started the move himself, playing the ball into Mason, who let it run as slightly behind him, McCamley quickest to react as the defence stood still, the youngster looked to round the keeper but his touch too heavy only for Holmes who continued his run to tap home from close range.
The half time whistle going bring the first half proceedings to an end, the Robins with a dominant display in all areas of the pitch, which could save seen the lead extended further but would have to settle for just the two goal lead, the visitors not providing much of a threat, but did show glimpses of what they could be capable of.
The second half started with the visitors on the front foot as they looked to get back into the game, offside denying them the chance to get back into the game.
The Robins were presented with a great opportunity to put the tie to bed, a neat move that saw Carr slide the ball through to Waldon, who found himself one on one with Wilkinson, Waldon unable to get his second of the game as the keeper produced a good save low down.
On the hour mark, the Robins did have the ball into the back of the net, McCamley combining well with Marrs, who worked the ball into the middle, rebounding back to Marrs, who crossed into the middle for Mason to slot home into an empty net, only for the ball to come to Marrs off a Shields player with Marrs in an offside position.
Hodgson who’d had a fairly quiet afternoon, found himself called upon, firstly a routine save as the visitors tried their luck with an effort from outside the area, followed by a neat move the visitors, moving the ball well down the left, the ball worked into the middle, Whickham player unmarked in the middle, who’s headed effort only had to be on target, thankfully it went straight into the ground, giving time for Hodgson to get across and make a comfortable save.
Jordan Lashley tried his luck with an effort from distance but was always rising as it travelled over the top.
Changes for the Robins saw the introduction of Forster for Dan Waldon, Cassidy for Downey.
The Robins were able to see out the game without any fuss, seeing them extend their unbeaten run to 5 games and Dan Waldon taking his tally to 4 goals in his last 5 games, securing the win for the Robins in what was a fairly comfortable afternoon for Brian Smith’s side, the visitors showing glimpses over the course of the 90 minutes but not enough to put the Robins lead under threat.
Next up for the Robins, sees Ashington visit the Daren Persson Stadium on Wednesday night (18th August) in the Northumberland Senior Cup with a 7.30pm kick off.
North Shields: Hodgson, Marrs, Holmes, Downey, Coppen, E Anderson, McCamley, Carr ©, Waldon, Mason, Lashley.
Subs: Fletcher, Forster, Henry, Cassidy, Williamson.
Goal Scorers: Dan Waldon ‘25, Dean Holmes ‘44
Attendance: 354
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM: Ryan Carr
Next Up: Ashington (H) – Wednesday 18th September – KO 7.30pm
