Match Report
Tuesday 10th September 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
Newcastle Blue Star 1 – 1 North Shields
‘Robins dig deep to ensure share of the spoils’
When the fixture list came out, this was one of the first that Shields fans will have looked for, the trip to Scotswood to take on Blue Star in their own backyard.
It was the Robins that made the brighter start, winning a corner early on through McCamley but unable to capitalize from it.
Ryan Carr found himself sandwiched inside the penalty area, between keeper and defender, Lister in between the sticks for the hosts, clearing out both, without making contact with the ball, freekick given to the home side.
A quick corner routine from the Robins, the ball worked to McCamley who tried his luck but was unable to keep his effort down.
GOAL ‘14 – NORTH SHIELDS 0-1 – RYAN CARR
A thoroughly deserved lead based on the opening quarter of an hour, a neat move from the Robins, the ball worked to Carr, who spun and shot in off the woodwork.
Kyle Downey was presented with an opportunity to double the lead, Lashley winning a freekick after skipping his way through the home defence before being brought down on the edge of the area. Downey forced a good save out of Lister from the resulting free kick.
The Robins defence found itself under pressure from a high ball but were able to clear their lines and thwart an attack from the home side.
Lashley went on another surging run, skipping his way through the home defence, with only Lister to beat, he looked to dink it over him,but the keeper was smarter to it and able to deny him.
On the half hour mark, a long freekick found Harmison, who brought the ball under control before firing an effort over the top.
Carr should have had his second of the night, a fantastic counter attack from the Robins, McCamley using his pace to get in behind the hosts defence, crossing into the middle to Carr, who headed his effort straight at Lister to his own frustration.
Fin Hodgson was on hand at the other end to make a crucial save before being clattered in the process.
Half time upon us and a dominant performance from the Robins, on top for most of the half, could have extended their lead via a number of good opportunities created, the hosts slow to start but grew into the game as the half progressed, the Robins deserving of the lead at the break.
From the restart, it was almost two for the Robins, McCamley firing an effort straight at Lister.
A mistake at the back from the hosts was almost costly, a loose back pass straight into the path of Harmison, the defence doing just enough to recover and deny the second goal.
Euan Anderson found himself in the referee’s book for a challenge whilst trying to stop a Blue Star attack.
Ryan Carr tried his luck with an acrobatic effort, sending an overhead kick over the top.
GOAL ‘61 – NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR 1-1 – LIAM HENDERSON
The hosts punished the Robins for missed chances, a neat move, the ball crossed into the centre, where Henderson was on hand to tap home from close range.
Changes for the Robins saw the introductions of Waldon and Mason for Harmison and Downey.
Curtis Coppen was on hand with two great interceptions to stop Blue Star attacks in their tracks.
SIN BIN ‘74 – CURTIS COPPEN – NORTH SHIELDS
The Robins found themselves reduced to 10 men temporarily, the match official not taking kindly to Coppen’s questioning of a decision given against the Robins.
The man advantage sparked a reaction out the hosts, the Robins regrouping and defending deeply as the hosts looked to make the extra man advantage count.
Ryan Carr filled in at the heart of the defence, finding himself being kicked in the head, whilst putting everything on the line to keep the hosts out.
Albe Fletcher found himself in the match officials notebook for a challenge.
Will McCamley found himself on the end of a strong challenge after winning back possession and trying to ease the pressure on the defence, to be taken out deep in his own half.
One final change for the Robins saw Dean Holmes replaced by Dan Cherry with 5 minutes left of normal time remaining.
A huge shout for a penalty was waived away by the match official, freekick floated in to the back post, Euan Anderson appeared to be upended as he tried to get on the end of it, no interest from the match official.
Blue Star’s Chris Reid tried his luck from well out, hitting a low hard effort destined for the bottom corner, Hodgson flinging himself down to his left at full stretch, getting a good hand on the effort to turn it around the post for a corner.
Euan Anderson provided a superb crucial interception, halting a Blue Star attack dead in its tracks, stopping them from getting an effort on target.
One last attack for the Robins, Ryan Carr with the effort, which took a wicked deflection, leaving Lister rooted to his spot, as he could stand and watch the ball bounce agonizingly wide of the target.
A dubious decision right at the death, the hosts awarded a corner, the Robins defence now a full complement with the return of Coppen to the field of play, were able to stand strong and clear their lines.
A draw the outcome and probably a fair result over the course of the 90 minutes, the Robins the far better team in the first half, taking the lead but should have been further in front at the break, the hosts making them pay for missed chances.
Lost of positives to take from the performance and to take into our next game as we welcome Whickham to the Daren Persson Stadium, this coming Saturday, 14th September.
North Shields: Hodgson, Fletcher, Holmes, D Anderson, Coppen, E Anderson, McCamley, Downey, Harmison, Carr ©, Lashley.
Subs: Dart, Mason, Suddick, Waldon, Cherry.
Goal Scorers: Ryan Carr ‘14
Attendance: 365
Next Up: Whickham (H) – Saturday 14th September – KO 3pm
