North Shields 2
Mason ‘48, Anderson ‘52
Penrith 1
Hunter ‘45+1
Attendance
230
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM
Callum Elliott
The start of a Cumbrian double header saw the visit of Penrith to the Daren Persson Stadium as the Robins looked to bounce back from a disappointing loss at the weekend to Northallerton.
A bright start from the Robins saw the first carved out chance fall to Regan Paterson picked out by Kyle Downey with a cross field pass, Paterson rattling the outside the upright.
A superb piece of defending from Ben Harmison denied the visitors from what looked like a certain goal with a last ditch sliding tackle to prevent the Bonny Blues from taking the lead.
Both keepers were called into action simultaneously, first off it was Penriths’ Thomas Randall denying Brandon Slater at full stretch, at the other end Callum Elliott produced a great save low down to keep the visitors out.
Entering into the final 10 minutes of the first half, the Robins were given a massive let off, poor defending and unable to clear their lines, the visitors fired over the top from 12 yards to the relief of the Robins defence.
Looking like it was going to be a stalemate as we went into the break, Penrith capitalized on a defensive slip, Luke Hunter pouncing onto the loose ball before driving into the penalty area and firing home.
Frustration for the Robins, behind at the break despite seeing a lot more of the ball and creating the far better chances, the visitors hitting us where it hurts with virtually the last kick of the half.
With the second half barely underway, the Robins were level, whatever was said at half time worked its magic, the ball played into Lee Mason, who with his back to goal, swivelled and fired into the top corner.
With the visitors stunned and trying to regain their focus, the Robins took the lead, a corner kick played into the back post, Mason turning provider to head back across goal, Euan Anderson rising highest to power the ball over the line.
The attacking focus from the Robins continued as they looked to seal the 3 points, firstly great play from Luke Carr in the middle of the park, was able to set Brandon Slater on his way, who cut inside before firing agonizingly over the top. Regan Paterson forced another good save out of Penriths’ Randall.
Into the final 10 minutes of the second half and the visitors chances of rescuing anything from the contest were dealt a massive blow when they found themselves reduced to 10 men, a neat move which saw Brandon Slater played through on goal, only to be brought down on the edge of the area, the match official producing the red card.
Despite the best efforts with the 1 man disadvantage and sending up the keeper in the final moments the Robins were able to see out the game, yet another great save from Callum Elliott denied the visitors a share of the spoils.
With the proceedings brought to and and the win confirmed, the 3 points resulted in Brian Smiths’ side climb up to third in the league standings
