Saturday 5th November 2022
Pitching In Northern Premier League – East Division
North Shields 1-1 Ossett United
A game that had everything, two battling sides, chances, bookings, goals and late drama to top it off.
A healthy crowd of 359 piled into the Daren Persson Stadium to watch the action unfold and it was the Robins who started the brighter of the two sides, David Robinson played in down the flank early whose cross was cleared for a corner that resulted in Jack Walker heading narrowly wide.
Moments later Chris McDonald went on a surging run from left back before unleashing an effort that rattled the crossbar.
At the other end, Ossett gave the Shields defence something to think about as they broke through on goal only to be denied by brilliant goalkeeping from Finlay Hodgson.
The robins had a penalty shout waved away before Chris McDonald hit the woodwork for the second time of the afternoon.
Finlay Hodgson was called into action again making a brilliant save before then making a superb double save to keep Ossett at bay.
Paul Van Zandvliet was presented with the chance to have a shot only to see his effort sliced wide of the target.
Good build up play down the left allowed Dan Turner to cross to David Robinson who headed over from 6 yards out.
Ossett fired an effort wide of Hodgson’s goal as the Robins failed to clear their lines from a set piece.
Chris McDonald made another marauding run before curling an effort just over the crossbar.
Liam Doyle and Hodgson then combined well as a defensive unit to keep the Sheepicorns out.
On the half hour mark, Anth Myers was forced off with a knock and replaced by Tom Bexton at the heart of the Robins defence.
On the stroke of half time, Ossett’s Luke Hogg thought they had broken the deadlock, the ball crossed and sent home from close range only to be denied by the offside flag.
Scores level at half time in a game that could easily have been 3-3 at the break, both teams with enough chances to get on the scoreboard only for great goalkeeping and the woodwork to keep the scores level.
The second half started with Ossett coming out of the blocks and putting their physicality on display for all to see.
Danny Burns almost gave the visitors the lead before Dan Wilson at the other end fired agonizingly wide.
Paul Van Zandvliet rose highest to get on the end of a David Robins cross only to see his effort fall the wrong side of the post.
Regan Paterson replaced David Palmer in midfield.
Paul Van Zandvliet rose highest again inside the penalty area again seeing his effort land the wrong side of the post.
Ossett were awarded a freekick, which was floated in and dangerously knocked down in the penalty area, only to be fired narrowly over the bar to the relief of the Robins.
Ossett then whipped in a corner kick which resulted in Paul Van Zandvliet and Danny Burns being booked as both men ended up in a heap inside the 6 yard box.
Finlay Hodgson displayed his acrobatic ability to keep out the visitors as the game entered into the dying moments.
The referee indicated a minimum of 4 minutes added time which was the catalyst for the drama to be unleashed.
90’ GOAL 0-1 Ossett United, Alex Peterson
Ossett were awarded a soft freekick, which was swung in and found Peterson who slotted home first time beyond Hodgson, to haunt the Robins defence for a second time in the space of seven days and to give the visitors a late lead as the celebrations began with the traveling support in front of the home dugout.
Ossett must have thought the game was wrapped up with just moments left on the clock to play, however, they underestimated the fact they were playing against a team that keeps going to the final whistle.
90+8 GOAL 1-1 North Shields, Finlay Hodgson
With time running out and defeat staring the Robins in the eyes, Marc Nash’s men found themselves in the last chance saloon, winning a set piece, Hodgson joined his team mates inside the Ossett penalty area. The ball swung in and pinballing about, Ossett struggled to clear their lines as the ball fell to Hodgson who fired into the bottom corner to send the home support into raptures and claim what looked like a very unlikely point.
At the full time whistle the Pub & Kitchen MOM award was presented to none other than Finlay Hodgson who kept the Robins in the game with some sublime pieces of goalkeeping throughout before taking matters into his own hands.
North Shields: Hodgson, Doyle, McDonald, Oliver, Myers, Walker, Palmer, Van Zandvliet, Wilson, Robinson, Turner.
Subs not used: Chrisp, Forster, Heppell
Next game up for the Robins is on the road as they look to enjoy a day out at the seaside as they visit Bridlington Town.
