North Shields 3 -0 Grimsby Borough
An unchanged team from last week’s win on the road against Pontefract Colliers took to the field as Grimsby Borough made the long trip north to the Daren Persson Stadium.
The outset of the game was apparent in the opening few exchanges as the Robins started the brighter of the two sides, enjoying large spells of possession and pressing the Wilderness Boys defensive line.
Brad Hird had the first real chance of the game as Dan Wilson played him in only to be denied as he beared down on goal by Grimsby’s Callum Lovett’s outstretched foot.
A strong challenge on David Palmer on the edge, set the Robins up with their second opportunity but Cam Cunningham’s resulting freekick was fired into the wall.
The Robins continued to apply more pressure as Grimsby struggled to get a foothold into the game.
On one of the few occasions they did manage to venture into Robins territory, Jack Walker was on hand with defensive cover after the Robins were dispossessed cheaply in midfield.
Shields continued to dominate the midfield battle and great link up play between Dan Wilson and David Palmer, gave Palmer a chance from inside the area only to see his effort rise over the crossbar.
JJ Chrisp then flashed an effort across the face of goal which evaded a vital touch to send it home. Moments later he took matters into his own hands and fired an effort narrowly over from just outside the area.
The visitor’s almost took the lead against the run of play as Grimsby’s Jack Debnam took advantage of a poor clearance and tried a speculative effort from the halfway line, which went just wide of Finlay Hodgson’s goal to his relief.
Cam Cunningham sent in a teasing cross which Grimsby scrambled out for a corner, which resulted in Dan Wilson narrowly heading over.
Paul Van Zandvliet almost unlocked the Grimsby defence with a high looping through ball to Dan Wilson.
Jack Walker tried an effort from distance as space opened up in front him, his effort carrying too much height as it flew over the crossbar.
Grimsby tried to counter against the constant Robins attacking play but were unable to find a way past the offside trap.
GOAL 1-0 ‘43 Cam Cunningham
As half time whistle approached, Shields broke the deadlock, build up play down the right allowed Liam Doyle to cross into the middle to pick out Dan Wilson, who was denied by Grimsby’s Liam Higton, the ball rebounded to David Robinson who saw his effort blocked on the line, which rebounded to Cam Cunningham who fired into the roof of the net to give the Robins the deserved lead.
Half time was upon us and the Robins went into the break with the lead, deserved on merit for the 1st half performance, they moved the ball around well and created more clear cut chances, whilst Grimsby struggled to get out of their own half despite having the wind behind them.
Dan Wilson got us underway in the second half and the flow of the game continued in the same manner as the first half finished with Shields in the ascendency.
David Palmer had all of the 256 spectators think it was 2-0 as fired an effort just past the right hand post.
Dan Wilson was too strong for his man and he played through Hird who slotted the ball to the bottom right corner, only to be denied by a brilliant low down save from Higton.
Paul Van Zandvliet fired an effort over from outside the area, this was followed moments later by JJ Chrisp following over from distance.
David Palmer whipped in a cross, which picked out Paul Van Zandvliet who’s header rattled the crossbar.
Dan Wilson then headed an effort wide from a JJ Chrisp cross.
Regan Paterson replaced Brad Hird with 20 minutes left on the clock as the Robins looked to settle the contest.
Finay Hodgson was called into action as Grimbsy made a rare venture into the Shields half as Edwin Essel tried to round him and slot home to bring the sides level.
Regan Paterson had two efforts moments apart, firstly a defensive mix up at the back almost allowed him in, before he curled an effort just over from outside the area.
GOAL 2-0 ‘79 Thomas Hipwell OG
A poacher’s finish at the back post, unfortunately for Hipwell it was at the wrong end as he directed Liam Doyle’s cross beyond Higton to double the Robins’ advantage.
A double swap for the Robins saw Dan Turner and Antonio Agostinho replaced Dan Wilson and David Robinson.
With the clock running down Grimsby frantically looked for a way back into the game but could not find a way past the Robins stern back line as they restricted them to one long range effort which harmlessly ballooned out of play.
GOAL 3-0 ‘90+ Regan Paterson
Paterson added another contender to his own goal of the season competition capitalizing on a poor free kick from Higton, composing himself before firing home from just inside the halfway line leaving Higton stranded.
A brilliant way to cap off a dominant Shields performance and record back to back wins to move them upto 9th in the table, two points off 3rd placed Dunston, who they go up against on Wednesday night.
North Shields: Hodgson, Doyle, Chrisp, Palmer, Myers, Walker, Van Zandvliet, Cunningham , Wilson (Agostinho), Robinson (Turner), Hird (Paterson)
Subs not used: McDonald, Forster
Next game up for the Robins is at home as they host Dunston at the Daren Persson Stadium with a 7.45pm kick off.
