North Shields crashed out of the Northumberland Senior Cup with a 2-1 quarter-final loss to Whitley Bay
The second “El Coastico” derby of the week ended with the reverse scoreline of Saturday’s home fixture. Mikel Thompson opened the scoring with a corker before Mechack Kanda secured the victory at the death. Wanless scored a late goal to pull one back, but it was too little too late for the Robins.
The hosts scored their first goal within the opening ten minutes, marking the first time the Robins had conceded first since late February. Alfie Livermore played a short pass out to Mikel Thompson just outside the box, and the midfielder proceeded to fire a first time shot into the top right corner.
Shortly after, Stephen Hall felt he was fouled in the box, and there were strong protests from both himself and the Shields faithful, however the referee saw no such thing and played on, prompting frustration from the Shields supporters.
Blair forced goalkeeper Mauro Asikaogu into a difficult save with a curling effort before Bay had a free-kick saved from close range at the 20th minute mark, but there was then a long period of dominant possession for Shields with little to show in terms of shots on goal. This all changed in the final ten minutes of the half. First, Carr’s header clipped the crossbar after initially looking to be going over, before Shields struck the crossbar yet again through Forster. There was another penalty appeal when Carr fell in the box, but like the first, the referee waved play-on.
Whitley Bay should’ve scored a second before the break when Thompson’s powerful effort was parried away by Elliott, before Josh Stewart fired the rebound high from close range, a let off for Brian Smith’s men who ended the half only a goal down with everything to play for.
HALF-TIME: Whitley Bay 1-0 North Shields
Shields attempted to work the ball onto the wings throughout much of the second half, and great positioning by the Whitley Bay defence prevented them from creating clear-cut chances in front of goal. Instead, a number of long-range shots were exchanged from both sides.
Reece Wanless forced a decent save out of Asikaogu with around 20 minutes to go, before Shields had to dig deep at the back when pressure on Elliott forced him to spill a cross, eventually the referee blew for a free kick and the ball was cleared away.
Down the other end and in the final ten, Blair Adams would make a determined run down the left flank, and send a cross towards Wanless. His header looked to be destined for the bottom right if not for a truly spectacular one-handed save by Asikaogu.
Straight down the other end, Bay had a penalty appeal of their own when Mackenzie Sharpe went down after a hard challenge, but the referee wasn’t interested.
Callum Larmouth then broke away during a counter attack in the 87th minute and fired goalwards in the box, but Elliott stood firm to make a solid save. Sadly, it wouldn’t be long until the hosts got their second. Jack Errington pressed Ogbewe from behind in Shields’ half, leading to appeals for a foul from the away support. However, play continued and Kanda latched onto the loose ball and played a one-two with Josh Stewart, before firing home into the top right. Suddick complained to the referee, allegedly pointing towards the incident with Ogbewe, which prompted the referee to give him his second yellow card and marching orders for that offence alone.
Wanless would pull one back with a header in the 96th minute, this time too clinical for Asikaogu to get a hand to, but there was unfortunately no time remaining for the Robins to rally for an equaliser.
FULL-TIME: Whitley Bay 2-1 North Shields
SHIELDS XI: Elliott, Suddick, Adams, Ross, Bexton, Harmison, Wanless, Forster (C), Hall (Mason, 61′), Carr (Ogbewe, 68′), Lashley
