Match Preview: Ryhope CW v North Shields (17/10/20)

North Shields return to Northern League Division One action when they travel south to face Ryhope CW on Saturday afternoon.

After last weekend’s 3-2 win over Northallerton Town in the FA Vase, the Robins turn their attention back towards their push for promotion, with Marc Nash’s team currently sitting third.

The Robins have responded well to their first league defeat of the season, losing 2-0 at West Auckland Town, picking up two successive wins against Northallerton Town, both in the League and the Vase.

Saturday’s hosts will be buoyed by their impressive win over the in-form West Auckland Town, with goals from James Ellis and Bradley Hird helping the Colliery Welfare to a 2-1 win.

Like the Robins, Ryhope are also progressing well in the FA Vase, with their 4-0 win away at Campion handing them a First Round home tie against fellow Northern League Division One side Penrith.

Currently, having played six games so far this season, Ryhope are sitting in 15th place, with a win tomorrow afternoon likely to carry them up to 12th, with games in hand on those above them.

However, if the Robins were to secure the victory on Saturday, they could climb to the top of the Division One table, should results elsewhere at Newcastle Benfield and Hebburn Town go their way.

North Shields have been boosted by the return of Kyle Patton to the match day squad, after the attacker suffered a knee injury against Marske United in the FA Cup. Despite not having played a minute so far this season, Patton was able to return to the bench against Northallerton Town last Saturday.

Last time these two sides faced each other, the Robins were on the end of a disappointing 2-0 away defeat in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.

The return fixture saw history made as Gareth Bainbridge’s late penalty secured Shields a 1-1 home draw, breaking Don Winskill’s post-war goalscoring record in the process.

This game has an attendance cap of 150, with Ryhope CW employing a pay on the gate policy. We would therefore advise any North Shields fans hoping to attend this game to arrive as early as possible to avoid missing out.

We would also like to remind anyone thinking of travelling to the game to remember that the wearing of facemasks is mandatory to gain entry to the ground.