We’re coming up to our third game of the 2026/27 EBAC Northern League Division One season, and I have to ask, are we ever going to play a game at home?
We travel on the road once again, and if you thought Thornaby was far, now we venture into North Yorkshire to play against Northallerton Town FC.
Northallerton by all accounts, shouldn’t have been in Division One this season, as they finished in 19th place last season, only winning seven matches. Normally that spells relegation. However with the folding of West Allotment Celtic and Boro Rangers, Northallerton got to stay in the league another year and lived to fight another day.
All things considered, Northallerton have had a pretty good start to the season. they managed to get a point on the road at our long standing rivals Whitley Bay on opening weekend, and they managed to stick two past the Seahorses. That goes to say a lot about the character of this team, as Whitley Bay had a fantastic home record last season, and since they finished third last season, it shows they can put up a fight against the top sides.
The fixtures haven’t gotten much easier for Northallerton, as they then had to go against league favourites Bishop Auckland on home soil. They lost out 3-0, after a harsh red card which saw goalkeeper Oliver Swan sent off for a rash collision with an Auckland attacker, where the ball actually went in, but the referee called it back to give swan his marching orders.
It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for our Robins either, after defeat in Thornaby kept us on level points with Northallerton. Nelson Ogbewe scored twice in a 4-2 defeat against a new look Thornaby side, meaning he has scored all of Shields’ goals so far this season. I still believe its too early to cause room for concern, because it is still early doors, and knowing the quality North Shields have up top, it won’t be long before somebody else finds the back of the net.
All in all, I think it should be a high-scoring game, both teams need to get their first win, Brian Smith will believe he can get that, and Northallerton player/manager Dale Hopkins will believe his side can turn their stadium into a fortress.
If you’re makng the hour and a half trip to Northallerton, safe travels, thanks for all your support. And finally…
HOWAY THE ROBINS!
MATCH DETAILS
Northallerton Town FC vs North Shields FC
Saturday 1st August 2026
EBAC Northern League Division One – MW3
The Calvert Stadium, Ainderby Road, Northallerton, DL7 8HA.
