North Shields enter the final stretch of their pre-season campaign with a home tie against Northern League Division Two side Newcastle University.
The Robins enter this game on the back of two successive victories; a 2-1 away win over Jarrow and a 2-0 home win over Bedlington Terriers. However, the victory over the Terriers was disrupted by torrential rain and eventually, the referee was forced to abandon the tie after 60 minutes.
Previous to that, a heavy opening victory over Seaton Delaval was followed up by two defeats at the hands of National League North side Blyth Spartans and Scottish side Musselburgh Athletic.
Our opponents tomorrow evening are newcomers to the Northern League and enter this season wanting to make their mark in a higher division. After winning the Northern Alliance in 2017/18 (but not being eligable to be promoted), a second placed finish behind champions AFC Killingworth saw the University side finally make the step up.
Based at Cochrane Park Sports Ground, the University side enter this tie on the back of an impressive 5-1 victory over Wallington FC, with the dangerous attacker Niza Chilufya bagging a hattrick.
With the Robins opening game of the season at Sunderland RCA on August 3 fast approaching, the remaining three friendlies (beginning with Newcastle University) presents final opportunities for the players to stake their claim for a starting place in the side.
