The Robins will be desperate for the weather to behave itself on Saturday as they host Newton Aycliffe at the Daren Persson Stadium.
Poor weather conditions have badly struck the North East in recent weeks, with most of the Northern League forced to postpone league and cup fixtures.
North Shields have been one of those clubs affected and have not played a competitive game of football since their victory over Northallerton Town on the 9th November.
Newton Aycliffe, on the other hand, have been fortunate with their fixture list as they have managed to complete two Northern League fixtures in that timeframe, both against Ryhope CW.
Their most recent defeat to Ryhope has left Colin Stromsoy’s men only one place and one point above the Robins, so a victory for the Robins would guarentee Shields move up at least one place.
However, their task will be made all the more harder by the presence of in-form Dean Thexton in the Aycliffe side. Since his move from Willington, Thexton has helped lead his new club to what has been a very impressive first half of the season.
Despite the lack of competitive football, the Robins do enter this game unbeaten in three months as well as off the back off an impressive 6-1 friendly win over Division Two promotion chasing Ryton & Crawcrook Albion at Killingworth Young People’s Club.
Two goals apiece from Kyle Patton and Scott McCarthy, plus efforts from Paul Robinson and Connor Campbell helped the Robins keep the momentum going heading into what is a very important, and busy, December.
