Match Preview: North Shields v Penrith (15/02/20)

The Robins welcome Penrith to the Daren Persson Stadium this Saturday as they look to extend their current winning run to six games.

After Kyle Patton’s last-gasp winner against Newton Aycliffe, the Robins booked their fifth win on the bounce and their 16th win from their last 21 games.

As a result, the Robins moved up one place to fifth in the Northern League Division One table, level on points with fourth-placed Consett but having played a game less.

But their winning run will be tested against their Cumbrian rivals who, after a 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Northallerton Town, sit in 17th place; two points off the bottom of the league.

In the last meeting between these two sides, goals from Cam Cunningham, Scott McCarthy and Kyle Patton handed Shields an away win at Frenchfield Park; a result which started the Robins incredible run of form.

And the last time Penrith visited the North East, their fell to a 3-1 defeat, courtesy of goals from Jack Donnison, Gary Day and Ryan Carr.

But this weekend, the Robins will be without the services of McCarthy who has signed for Division One rivals Whickham; managed by his former coach at Newcastle Benfield, Mark Convery.

On a positive note, off the back of Gary Ormston making his 200th appearance against Seaham Red Star, experience midfielder Paul Robinson could be playing his 100th game for the club, should he be selected Saturday afternoon.

Should North Shields win on Saturday, and Conset fail to pick up all three points away to Sunderland RCA, the Robins would jump up to fourth, three points off Shildon in third.

However, if Penrith were to pick up the victory, they would close to within one point of Ashington in 16th.