Saturday 18th March 2023
Northern Premier League – East Division
North Shields 1-0 Sheffield FC
‘Cunningham strike continues Robins’ good run of form’.
Marc Nash named an unchanged starting XI from last week’s win on the road at Lincoln United.
The opening exchanges set the tone for most of the afternoon with the Robins on the front foot from the get go.
Callum Larmouth rattled the woodwork inside the opening two minutes with a well struck shot from just outside the area.
A minute later Cam Cunningham danced his way through the Sheffield defense only to see his effort deflected into the arms of Edd Hall.
Callum Larmouth had another effort, this time from the corner of the box but the effort was always rising over the top.
The visitors provided very little threat to Aaron Steavens goal but the youngster was called into action when Nathaniel Crofts broke through against the run of play, bearing down on goal only to be denied by a great save from Steavens who denied the visitors taking the lead.
Cam Cunningham glanced a header from a Connor Oliver corner agonizingly wide of the far post.
Dan Wilson broke away through the center of the pitch as the Robins cleared their lines, Wilson turned his man on half way, the defender trying to bring him down but the big man done well to stay up right to fight his way through on goal only for play to be stopped and brought back for a foul to the frustration of everybody.
Half time upon us and the Robins on top but with nothing to show for it, the visitors, glad to be level at the break.
The second half started with more of the same as they started the second half on front foot, Wilson was on hand with the first chance of the half with a good turn and shot on goal.
A few minutes later, Wilson had another chance as his shot was deflected just over from a tight angle winning a corner for the Robins.
David Robinson replaced David Palmer and got involved almost immediately trying his luck from 25 yards out, going just wide of the target.
David Robinson did have the ball in the back of the net after being picked out with a cross field pass before cutting inside and firing beyond Hall only to be denied by the offside flag.
Tom Potter replaced Dan Wilson as Marc Nash adjusted his lineup to unlock the Sheffield FC defense.
GOAL 73’ North Shields – Cam Cunningham, 1-0
The deserved breakthrough came with just under 20 minutes left on the clock, McDonald with a deep cross from the left, Robinson towered highest to header goal bound for the ball to ricochet inside the penalty area before falling to Cunningham to fire home.
Just as the Robins took the lead the heavens opened as the majority of the 258 strong crowd scampered for shelter.
The visitors, running out of time to try and get something out of the game, looked to use the adverse weather conditions to their advantage as they looked to take control of the game with an aerial bombardment of the Robins goal.
Luke Heppell replaced Paul Van-Zandvliet with around 10 minutes left, after putting in a strong shift in midfield.
David Robinson tried his luck again from outside the area but his effort caused no harm to the Sheffield goal as it flew harmlessly over the top.
Callum Larmouth thought he had added a second for the Robins, cutting in from the right hand side before unleashing a staging shot, drawing a superb save down to his left from Hall, giving the Robins another corner.
With 4 added minutes indicated by the match official, Aaron Steavens needed to be alert in the wet conditions as he got down well to his right to grasp hold of a late Sheffield goalbound effort.
The Robins were able to see out the last few moments and see them stretch their unbeaten run to five games.
The Pub & Kitchen Man of the Match award was presented to Connor Oliver after a sterling performance in midfield.
North Shields: Steavens, Forster, McDonald, Oliver, Jakab, Walker, Van-Zandvliet, Palmer (Robinson ‘56), Wilson (Potter ‘67), Cunningham, Larmouth.
Subs not used: Hodgson, Kidd
Attendance: 254
Man of the Match: Connor Oliver
Next Up: Ossett United (A) – Saturday 25th March – 3pm
