Knaresborough Town 1-2 North Shields
Dan Iredale’s men came away from North Yorkshire with a hard fought win in testing conditions as the weather took a somewhat unpredictable turn, with heavy rain and thunder throughout a majority of the game.
The first chance of the afternoon fell to the Robins, when Connor Gales was picked out at the back post but was unable to guide his header beyond Jamie Hassell.
Shields continued to press and control the tempo of the game, Tom Potter was on hand to fizz a tempting ball across the face of goal, unfortunately nobody in the area to tap home.
Another chance fell to Connor Gales as he was played in over the top by Tom Potter, the forward took his effort first time, the connection not the cleanest as it sailed harmlessly out of play.
It was a quarter of an hour in before the hosts caused any real threat towards Finn Hodgson’s goal when a speculative effort from distance sailed high and wide of the target.
Shields continued on the front foot, a flowing move down the left, resulting in Tom Potter stinging the palms of Hassell with an effort from a tight angle.
GOAL 25’ NORTH SHIELDS – CONNOR GALES, 0-1
Tom Potter’s ball over the top was latched onto by Regan Paterson, who drove towards goal beating two Knaresborough defenders, before cutting the back to Gales, who slotted home neat first time finish at the front post.
The weather then took a turn for the worst as the heavens opened and the game took a feisty turn with the tackles flying in, David Palmer was on the receiving end hard tackle on the edge of his own penalty area.
The Robins continued to move the ball well, looking for every opportunity to get in behind the high press from the hosts, David Palmer almost picked out Regan Paterson at the back post from the right hand side, only for a crucial touch to intercept the cross and divert the ball for a corner.
As the first half approached its conclusion and the rain getting heavier, David Palmer hit the woodwork with an effort, after bringing the ball down inside the penalty area, before curling an effort beyond Hassell only to be denied by the crossbar.
The match official brought the first half proceedings to their conclusion with the Robins happier of the two sides, controlling the game for large parts, moving the ball well, unlucky not to have been 2 or 3 goals up. The hosts showed glimpses of an attacking threat, but any advanced towards the Robins goal were dealt with well by the defence.
After the restart, Hodgson found himself involved almost immediately, keeping the hosts out from a headed effort.
At the other end, Regan Paterson gave replacement goalkeeper Zane Love something to think about with a dipping freekick, the keeper replacing Hassell after he was involved in a 50/50 outside of his area and unable to continue.
Finn Hodgson was called into action again, with a good save low down to his right to keep out a headed effort.
With an hour on the clock, both teams started to make numerous changes to their lineups.
GOAL 60’ KNARESBOROUGH TOWN – DANNY EDWARDS, 1-1
A move down the right, caused issues for the Robins defence the ball swung into the middle, where Danny Edwards guided the ball beyond Finn Hodgson with a neat finish to draw the hosts level.
GOAL 65’ NORTH SHIELDS – BRAD HIRD, 1-2
A fast flowing move down the left flank, working the ball to Brad Hird who fired first time, across Zane Love’s goal, picking out the bottom corner to restore the Robins lead.
As the downpour continued, the Robins continued to dictate the play, continued to move the ball well, remaining patient as the hosts continued to press high up the pitch.
As the game drew to a conclusion, Finn Hodgson found himself on the end of a heavy challenge.
In the dying minutes of the game a good move, worked the ball to Paul Van-Zandvliet who unleashed a fierce shot goal bound, only to be denied by Love at full stretch tipping over the crossbar.
A strong performance all round with some great flowing moves throughout the afternoon and neat finishing awarded the Robins a well deserved win.
Next up, we host Alnwick Town at the Daren Persson Stadium on Wednesday night (19th July).
