The big one is here! The final showing of our Robins in the 2025/26 season will be in the final of the Brooks Milesson Memorial League Cup. It will take place at Hillheads Park, the home of our Northern League rivals Whitley Bay.
After a Sean Reid double sent Blue Star past Newcastle University, they faced off against Birtley Town in the other semi-final. They also went on to win that game 3-1; however, this might have been the wildest game of football played among Northern League clubs this season.
To set the scene, Birtley Town go 1-0 up after seven minutes. Blue Star gets a goal back through a moment of genius from Dan Stephenson. He scooped the ball over the keeper under pressure to tie the game. Then, in what was one of two moments of madness, Birtley Town centre-half Kyle Wharton was dismissed with a straight red card for a last-man challenge, a couple of minutes before the half-time whistle.
One half of Blue Star’s dynamic duo, Daniel Lanning, put his team in the lead on the hour mark, turning with his back to the goal and slotting past Birtley keeper Gordon. Then, in the 74th minute, Jakub Zych collided with the Birtley Town keeper and was shown a straight red card. In the handbags that followed, Blue Star defender Richie Slaughter was also shown a straight red. One more red came out of referee Chris Ellis’ pocket, this time for Blue Star substitute Andy Bulford.
Gordon returned to play with a bandage on his head, and it was game on. Youngster Jay Richardson sealed the deal in stoppage time, striking the ball home to dismantle any chance of a Birtley comeback.
It’s going to be a tough test for our Robins. Since the last game of the regular league season, when we lost 3-2 to Blue Star, they have only kicked on and continued their stellar form. They are on a ten-game win streak and couldn’t be more full of confidence.
As for Brian Smith and his Robins, they also came from behind to beat Northern League Division One runners-up Shildon AFC by two goals to one. Ogbewe and Carr were the heroes on the night, but Ogbewe has been a force since coming back into the side, causing a constant threat down the channels. The return of Jordan Lashley was a huge boost to the team, just in time for the big one.
You get the feeling this match coming up is the culmination of all of our club’s ups and downs this season.
The lads need your support more than ever, and you don’t want to miss the last match action from North Shields FC this season. Get down to the turnstiles early. We’re expecting a high volume of traffic for the game, and you should factor this into your travel plans.
For the last time this season…
HOWAY THE ROBINS!
MATCH DETAILS:
North Shields FC vs Newcastle Blue Star
Brooks Milesson Memorial League Cup Final
Thursday 30th April
Kick Off – 7:30 pm
Venue – Hillheads Park, Rink Way, Whitley Bay, NE25 8HR
Concessions – £8/£5/£2
