Wednesday 24th April 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 1 – 2 Crook Town
‘Late winner denies Robins a share of the spoils’
After another quick turnaround, just 48 hours after action on Monday night, Brian Smith’s side took to the field once more.
The first half chance fell to the Robins as Harmison killed the ball dead with his first touch from Dobson goal kick, looking to play in McCamley over the top, only for too much pace to stop the youngster from getting on the end of it.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – WILL MCCAMLEY ‘8
WHAT. A. GOAL – The ball cleared down the right hand side, McCamley brought the ball down under his control before turning on halfway and left his opponent for pace, showing him a clean pair of heels, continuing to drive towards goals as the away scrambled to get back, the youngster cut inside before unleashing an left footed effort, which screamed into the far top corner.
An ideal start from the Robins, with a well deserved lead, the visitors took a blow as they lost their centre-forward Arran Wearmouth through injury.
Yeon Kwak and Curtis Coppen combined well to extinguish a Crook Town forcing the ball out for a corner, dealt with well by the home defence.
Twenty minutes on the clock, the woodwork denied the Robins a second, a corner kick routine saw the ball worked to Donnelly from a Harmison flick, who saw his header rattle off the crossbar and cleared away.
Callum Dobson saved the Robins blushes as they got caught trying to play out from the back, Dobson saving well with his feet to keep the hosts out.
GOAL BIRTLEY TOWN 1-1 – ARCHIE LEONARD ‘29
The visitor’s found themselves level after Archie Leonard tapped home from close range, Dobson initially making a good save, the pinging around inside the area, Leonard fired home, the Robins back line calling for offside, the assistant not in agreement and the hosts were level.
Half time, upon the two sides level, the Robins playing the better football and could have been out of sight before leveller, the visitors happy to be level at the break with it all to play for in the second half.
Crook Town had the first chance of the second half, Dobson with a crucial save to deny them taking the lead.
McCamley provided a cross for the Robins first chance after the restart, the ball cleared for a corner, of which nothing came from it.
Lewis Henry replaced Albe Fletcher in the Robins first change of the night.
RED CARD – NORTH SHIELDS – BEN HARMISON ‘67
The Robins on the attack, McCamley through on goal, the defender doing well to catch up and make a great goal line clearance, the match official indicating for a goal kick, Harmison demonstrating with the match official to change his decision, resulting in a red card.
An Odle long throw caused havoc for the visiting defence, Donnelly flicking it on but nobody in a red shirt was able to get on the end of it.
Lewis Henry almost gave the Robins the lead, Dean Holmes working hard to keep hold of possession and set up the youngster, who fired an effort narrowly wide of the target.
Jaidon Odle produced a great cross into the penalty area, Curtis Coppen rose highest only to see his headed effort land on the roof of the net.
GOAL CROOK TOWN 1-2 – DREW LAKE ‘89
Heartbreak at the death for the Robins, a long ball forward to Lake, who brought down the ball well on the edge of the area, given too much space and time, he was able to turn and fire an effort into the far corner as Dobson could only watch on.
The Robins denied a share of the spoils, still making a game of it, despite the man disadvantage a moment of brilliance to win it from the visitors. A tough night for the Robins who probably deserved at least a point from the game, but it wasn’t be, as they would need to change their focus to Friday night, when they welcome Whickham to the Daren Persson Stadium.
North Shields: Dobson, Sloan, Odle, Kwak, Donnelly, Coppen, McCamley, Fletcher, Harmison, Pritchard, Holmes.
Subs: Henry, Nicholson, McGowan, Anderson, Mason.
Goal Scorers: McCamley ‘8
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM: Callum Dobson
Attendance: 117