Match Report
Tuesday 12th November 2024
EBAC Northern League
Birtley Town 1 – 2 North Shields
‘Robins victorious in battling encounter’
Still on a high from the win at the weekend and progression in the FA Vase, Brian Smith’s side had a tricky test ahead of them in the form of Birtley Town.
Prior to kick, a two minutes silence was impeccably observed after the laying of wreaths and rendition of The Last Post to mark Remembrance Day.
With play barely underway, the game was halted due to the matchball representing that of a medicine ball, finally after the 4th attempt a replacement was found so the action could recommence.
Around the 10 minute mark, the Robins’ first real attack of the game came when Mason looked to play through McCamley who just couldn’t get on the end of the pass.
Moments later, Mason again with the through ball, this time down the opposite flank, releasing Lashley who flashed an effort across goal.
GOAL Birtley Town 0 – 1 NORTH SHIELDS – Will McCamley ‘12
Football in its simplest form, the ball played out from the back, the ball worked to Forster in the middle of the park, who played the ball through McCamley, who timed his run to perfection before calmly slotting the ball home from the edge of the area.
GOAL BIRTLEY TOWN 1 – 1 North Shields – Benjamin Shodiende ‘13
An instant reply from the hosts, going straight on the attack from the restart, the Robins defence unable to clear their lines, the ball falling to Shodiende who lashed the ball home from 12 yards, claims for offside in the build up not given by the match official.
The Robins finding room down both flanks, Lashey finding McCamley who saw his effort from outside the area, saved well.
20 minutes on the clock, the Robins should have retaken the lead, Lashley twisting and turning and causing havoc down the left flank, fired a ball into the middle through a sea of bodies, Mason in the middle, could only see the ball ricochet off him and roll the wrong side of the post from close range.
Mason picked out Waldon on 25 minutes with a cross into the middle after keeping the move alive from a corner, Waldon could only guide his header off the woodwork.
Chances for both teams back to back, Holmes at one end saw his effort after a good move parried into the penalty area and cleared, at the other end, Birtley had a great chance with a volley from the edge of the area, sailing wide of the target.
McCafferty was called into action, forced to tip over the bar from a deflected effort.
Birtley had the ball into the back of the net, a corner kick whipped in, McCafferty cleared out when trying to challenge for the ball in the air.
On the stroke of half time, Birtley found themselves in behind, a smart save required from McCafferty to keep the score level going into the break.
The game tied at the break, Shields probably edging the contest with the better chances created, Birtley looking dangerous when going forward.
The Robins almost retook the lead immediately from the restart, Mason picking out McCamley who curled his effort, just the wrong side of the far post.
Lashley and the travelling Robins supporters thought they had regained the lead, when his effort from 30 yards looked destined for the top corner, only to clip the woodwork.
Just before the hour mark, the Robins had a goal of their own ruled out, a freekick played into Coppen, who flicked it on to Harmison to tap home from close range, Coppen judged to have fouled his marker in the build up.
GOAL Birtley Town 1 – 2 NORTH SHIELDS – Ben Harmison ‘65
Darren Lough battled well to keep the play alive and win back possession deep in the Birtley half after Mason twisted and turned before seeing his effort hit the woodwork, crossing to Harmison in the middle to power his header home back across goal to give the Robins the lead.
A nasty challenge on Holmes in the centre circle was followed by a challenge on Lashley on the edge of the area, awarded the Robins a freekick, Mason saw his effort deflected onto the woodwork once more before Waldon forced a good save out of the keeper.
The first change of the evening for the Robins saw Ryan Carr return to action after being out with injury, in place of Lee Mason.
The hosts had shouts for a penalty waved away as the home side thought McCafferty has fouled his way through to gather the ball and put a halt to a Birtley attack.
SIN BIN – BIRTLEY TOWN – Benjamin Shodiende ‘90+4
With time running out and frustrations flaring, Birtley found themselves reduced to 10 men for the final few minutes, not taking likely to a decision given by the match official.
The Robins were able to see out the remaining minutes of additional time and ensure that the points came home with them to North Tyneside and make it 4 wins out of their last 5 outings.
A great game of football, which had everything, great goals, controversial decisions, goals ruled out
Next up for the Robins, a trip to Cumbria is on the horizon as Brian Smith’s side take on Penrith at The Frenchfield Stadium on Saturday..
North Shields: McCafferty, Marrs, Lough, D Holmes, Coppen, Harmison, McCamley, Forster ©, Waldon, Mason, Lashley.
Subs: D Anderson, E Anderson, Cassidy, Downey, Carr.
Goal Scorers:
Birtley Town: Shodeinde ‘13
North Shields: McCamley ‘12, Harmison ‘65.
Attendance: 265
Next Up: Penrith (A) – Saturday 16th November – 3pm
